Ireland

Robbie Gilligan is a Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at the Trinity College of Dublin, Ireland. Robbie has been a social work educator and social researcher for 40 years. He is still a registered social worker, and an active researcher (having recently retired from my formal duties as Professor). The main focus of his research relates to children and young people in alternative care and adult care leavers. On a more limited basis, his work has also engaged with migrant children and with children with disabilities. In his research, Robbie emphasises approaches that foreground the child’s experience and needs, and policy relevance. The ecological perspective on the child’s reality is also prioritised, respecting the role of family, school and other social systems close to the child’s daily reality. In all of his work, Robbie endeavours to promote the rights of the child through deepening understanding of their needs, experiences and rights. Robbie is a National Correspondent in Eurochild’s DataCare project for Ireland.

Established in 2012, the Child Law Project examines and reports on judicial childcare proceedings. The organisation attends and reports on Irish District Court childcare hearings, High Court special care hearings, and wardship cases involving children and young adults who have previously been in care. It operates under a protocol to protect the anonymity of the children and their families subject to proceedings. It uses information from the cases it attends to identify emerging trends. The Child Law Project also conducts legal and policy analysis and research to identify possible reforms to address the difficulties observed through its court reporting work. It provides information to the public on the operation of the childcare system in the courts with the aim of promoting transparency and accountability. Finally, it communicates the findings from its work to policy makers and elected officials through direct engagement.

The UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre (UCFRC) in University of Galway, has established a solid foundation as the foremost policy research centre in Ireland focused on improving the lives of children and families. Founded in 2007, it has delivered a range of research/evaluation reports, as well as a volume of peerreviewed academic outputs. It has a strong record of accomplishment in the area of rights-based consultations with children and young people and youth-led research.

Dr. Rita Melia, Ireland, is a lecturer on the BA Early Childhood Education and Care programme at Atlantic Technological University. She has worked in the early childhood education and care sector for over thirty years in practice, research and policy. Her main emphasis is on the right of all children to have quality early years experiences where they have a voice and choice