by EPIC Admin | Jan 10, 2018 | Blog-events-announcements, Living in Care, Media, Press Releases
Terry Dignan, CEO of EPIC said “On February 16th next, EPIC, with our 5 Nations 1 Voice partners, will celebrate the third ‘Care Day’ since we launched the inaugural Care Day in 2016. Care Day is an opportunity to unite in celebrating the rights of care experienced children and young people, their stories and their achievements. This year we look forward to the biggest Care Day yet by welcoming even more children, young people, their friends, family and carers and care organisations to join in the celebrations. Be part of changing the story for children and young people in care and care leavers by spreading the word for Care Day 2018 and joining us through your participation in the celebration of Care Day 2018! #CareDay 18 - Show your support and get involved! How to get involved… Take a selfie with the downloadable Placard, and on the 16th of February post it on social media using the hashtag #CareDay18 - If you’re not okay with posting a selfie, you can just post a picture of your placard. You can also use our Care Day Twibbon to show your support easily on your Facebook or Twitter page. Care Day Twibbon Young Persons Placard Supporters...
by EPIC Admin | Nov 13, 2017 | Blog-events-announcements, Good News, Media
RELEASING POTENTIAL - EDUCATION FAIR FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE! Children, young people, carers, and relevant professionals welcome to this information fair on educational opportunities for young people in care after they leave school! When: Saturday 25th November 2017 // 11:00-1:00PM Where: Graduates Memorial Building (GMB) Trinity College Dublin Map to GMB available here // For more information visit...
by EPIC | Oct 14, 2016 | Blog-events-announcements, Education, Good News
This event will focus on educational opportunities for young people in care hosted in Trinity College Dublin will take place on the 26th of November from 11-1pm. Further information available here Releasing Potential...
by EPIC | Oct 10, 2016 | Blog-events-announcements, Education, General, Good News
Releasing Potential: Educational Opportunities for Young People in...
by EPIC | Apr 8, 2016 | Blog-events-announcements
Purpose of the Evaluation The Board of Directors is inviting expressions of interest from suitably experienced consultants to conduct an evaluative study of the performance of the organisation in the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2013 – 2015. The findings from this study will contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation over next 5 years. Required Evaluation Outcomes An analysis of the overall implementation of the Strategic Plan 2013 -2015 Review the implementation of the strategic plan and identifying successes and areas for improvement; The process should include producing a written Evaluation report including recommendations The process A tender assessment panel will examine all expressions of interest received. The panel will need to satisfy itself that those expressing interest have demonstrated that they have the level of skills and experience required to carry out the study, that they have the ability and experience to manage and the contract and are available to do so within the timeframe. They will also be able to demonstrate value for money. Those expressing an interest should fill out the short questionnaire which can be accessed by following the link at Expressions of interest for tender -Evaluation of Implementation of Strategic Plan 2013 -2015 Please submit questionnaire to Jennifer Gargan, Director of EPIC at jennifergargan@epiconline.ie Those shortlisted (up to a maximum of 6 ) will be invited to submit a full tender document. Closing Date : 5.00pm Tuesday April 26 2016 Enquiries Any query in connection with this expression of interest can be submitted by email to the Director Jennifer Gargan jennifergargan@epiconline.ie...
by EPIC Admin | Feb 19, 2016 | Blog-events-announcements, Press Releases
JOINT PRESS STATEMENT: EPIC and TUSLA Celebrate #CAREDAY 2016! Immediate Release: 19/02/16 Where: Ombudsman for Children’s Office, Millennium Walk, Strand Street, Dublin 1. When: 19th February 2016 EPIC and Tusla - The Child and Family Agency will officially launch and celebrate the first National Care Day on the 19th of February 2016. This is a special day marked to celebrate the positive experiences and lives of children and young people in State Care. A special event will take place at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in Dublin where a number of young people will present to invited guests. Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan stated: “Today EPIC and Tusla launches what we hope will be an annual event that continues to grow. Care Day aims to increase public awareness and celebrate the talents and achievements of children and young people in care. We hope that this event will show the importance of highlighting the many positive experiences young people have in care.” Fred McBride, Chief Executive, Tusla stated “Tusla are pleased to celebrate in partnership with EPIC this first National Care Day in Ireland. It is important for us as an Agency to acknowledge and honour the many achievements of children and young people in care.” Care Day will also be celebrated on February 19th in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales as part of a wider campaign to promote a positive care identity for young people across all 5 Nations. ENDS This event can only be attended by invitation only. If you are interested in attended this event, please contact EPIC at (01) 8727661. You can follow and engage in this...
by EPIC Admin | Feb 9, 2016 | Blog-events-announcements
Celebrating the First National Care Day EPIC will launch and celebrate the first National Care Day on the 19 February 2016 Venue: Ombudsman for Children’s Office, Millennium Walk, Strand Street, Dublin 1. Date: 19 February 2016 Time: 2.30 – 4.00p.m. This is a special day marked to celebrate the positive experiences of children and young people in state care. EPIC will facilitate a special event where a number of performances and presentations will be made by young people to invited guests at the OCO, Dublin. The event is part of a larger campaign that EPIC are involved in with their partner organisations across the Five Nations:- England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. As part of the event EPIC will launch their Postcard Campaign and we will call on everyone to tweet your wishes for children and young people in care using the # below #CareDay...
by EPIC Admin | Oct 1, 2015 | Blog-events-announcements
Celebrating the 3rd Annual National Care Leavers Day SAVE THE DATE: 9.00-16:30, Thursday 8th October 2015 Where: Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. Programme (PDF) Care Leavers Care About Your Health Conference Brochure Immediate Release: 30th September 2015 EPIC and Care Leavers Ireland will host its 3rd Annual National Care Leavers Day in Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 on Thursday, 8th of October 2015. The theme of this year’s conference is promoting positive health for Care Leavers. Interactive workshops will focus on key aspects of health including: physical well-being, mental health, relationships, sexual health and advice for LGBT young people and professionals about coming out in care. Speaking today, Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan made the following comment: “It is extremely important that we raise awareness about promoting positive health amongst young people in care and for professionals working with them. This conference is unique because it is youth-led and targeted at young people leaving, or having left State Care. We, as practitioners and policymakers, have a shared responsibility in ensuring that young people are aware of the importance of keeping themselves healthy and building and maintaining relationships in order to achieve their full potential.” The conference runs from 9.00-16.30. To book your place, visit www.eventbrite.ie . Young people with care experience can attend this conference for free. Entry costs for professionals or other interested parties are €50.00 and students €25.00. Media interviews with the Directors and care experienced young people can be arranged on the day. For all media enquiries, or to arrange an interview please contact: For full details of the programme, please click on the...
by EPIC Admin | May 25, 2015 | Blog-events-announcements
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published a report on its inspection of the child protection and welfare services provided to children living in direct provision accommodation in four of the Child and Family Service (Tusla)Areas, namely Louth/Meath, Midlands, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan and Dublin North City. As an organisation that works directly with children and young people, EPIC is very aware of the impact a poor environment can have on the safety, welfare and wellbeing of a child. The findings of the first ever inspection report into Direct Provision has raised a number of concerns. Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan, made the following comment: “Children in Direct Provision are being raised in poor conditions, and are being exposed to things that children should not be confronted with. Direct Provision has, for many years, come under criticism. Year after year the State has failed to improve conditions, despite recommendations to do so from many rights based organisations who work on the ground with this group[1]. For example, the Ombudsman for Children’s Report to the UNCRC[2], published last week, again highlighted concerns in relation to Direct Provision as an unsuitable form of accommodation for children for longer than 6 months. This HIQA report is shocking, but long overdue. Concerted action is now required by the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Children, the Reception and Integration Agency, and the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), and the Working Group which has been set up by Government to examine Direct Provision and other aspects of the protection process must result in positive action.” EPIC welcomes the fact that HIQA is now monitoring the quality of...
by EPIC Admin | Apr 2, 2015 | Blog-events-announcements, Living in Care
EPIC are hosting a fundraiser in The Cobblestone in Smithfield on April 16th. Music on the night from Vagabonds and Thieves and Fox.E and the Good Hands! Admission is €10. All proceeds on the night go to our much needed services for young people. We hope to see you...
by EPIC Admin | Feb 9, 2015 | Blog-events-announcements
News & Events What's Happening? FEBRUARY 16TH - NATIONAL CARE DAY Day(s) : Hour(s) : Minute(s) : Second(s) National Care Day - Save the Date! Research Opportunity Were you in care for 5 years or more? Are you aged 25-35? Would you be willing to share your experiences of school and education? My name is Eavan Brady and I am a student researcher at Trinity College Dublin. I am doing a study of the educational experiences of adults who were in care as children. I am hoping to hear from people with a wide range of educational experiences – whether your experience was positive, challenging, and/or is continuing, I would like to hear from you! By hearing from adults with care experience, I hope to learn about the different life experiences that influence the education of children in care and people who have left care. I hope this information will help to improve the education of children in care and those leaving care in the future. If you take part in this study, I will interview you for 90 minutes in a place that suits you. The interview will start by me asking you to tell me your ‘educational story’ from your earliest memory to present day. If you would like to find out more, please contact me! * Phone: 085-2022811 * Twitter: @eavanrb * Study Website: www.educationalpathwayssite.wordpress.com Thank you! EPIC Congratulations on a successful Care Day! EPIC’s main event this year was held on Friday the 17th in the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, while other Care Day celebrations were occurring all around the country.EPIC organised two...
