EPIC Presentation to Joint Committee on Disability Matters, May 2026

Children with disabilities cared for by the State are a particularly vulnerable group. However, their voices are not always heard or supported in a consistent way.

On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, EPIC appeared before the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, alongside colleagues from Inclusion Ireland. EPIC’s contribution focused on the need for a representative advocacy service for children with disabilities.

We drew on our direct advocacy work with children and young people in care, and young people in aftercare, to explain the real experiences faced by children with disabilities in the care system. Through our work, we see ongoing problems such as delays in planning, gaps in services and poor coordination between agencies. These issues can make it harder for children and young people to get the support they need when they need it.

Our experience shows that these challenges are especially difficult at key transition points, including the move into adulthood and aftercare. Too often, planning starts late, and pathways are unclear. Many young people are left unsure about where they will live or what support will be available to them. This uncertainty can add stress at an already important stage in their lives and can mean that services respond only when problems reach a crisis point, rather than offering early support.

For children with communication needs, it can be even harder for their views to be heard. Being properly involved in decisions about care, education, health and future supports is not always guaranteed. This is particularly true when access to advocacy depends on referral, rather than being available as a right.

Independent advocacy plays an important role in addressing these challenges. It helps ensure that children’s views are heard and taken seriously. Advocacy can also improve communication between services and support better decision-making. When children and young people are supported to share their views in ways that work for them, outcomes are more likely to be positive, sustainable and rights-based.

EPIC believes that every child in care should have a legal right to access an independent advocate if they wish. We also believe that this approach should be extended to all children with disabilities. Making sure children are heard, understood and supported is essential to building a care system that works well for the children and young people it serves.

Speaking about this, EPIC’s CEO Wayne Stanley said:

“Investing in advocacy is not an additional burden on the system. It is a practical mechanism for improving how the system functions.”