Trinity wins European Social Services Award for child-centred research
Posted on: 17 November 2023
Judges noted that “internationally, relatively few examples of research exist that represent the authentic voice of the child in the child protection system”.
Trinity’s School of Social Work and Social Policy and the child and family agency Tusla have received a 2023 European Social Services Award for research published earlier this year about children’s experience of the Irish child protection and welfare service.
Through the Eyes of the Child: A Study of Tusla Child Protection & Welfare Intervention was co-authored by Prof. Stephanie Holt (pictured below on left with Tusla's Cormac Quinlan and Edel Tierney), Prof. Robbie Gilligan, Dr. Louise Caffrey and Dr Eavan Brady on behalf of Tusla. The research engaged with 20 children and young people.
The 2023 Research and Evaluation award was given at a European Social Network awards ceremony in Zagreb, Croatia.
Judges noted that “internationally, relatively few examples of research exist that represent the authentic voice of the child in the child protection system”.
“The study focused on gaining an understanding of children’s experiences but also went beyond that to understand, from the child’s perspective, what contributed to these experiences and employed qualitative methods, involving semi-structured individual interviews.
“The findings of the research led to the introduction of staff trainings and a commitment that key recommendations agreed with the children and their families would be used to inform future policy and research work.”
ENDS
Media Contact:
Catherine O’Mahony | Media Relations | catherine.omahony@tcd.ie