Those with Care Experience, Academics, Professionals and many others will explore and recommend how we, as a society, can ensure better, more equitable outcomes for the children and young people who come through our care system.
These webinars will seek to provide participants with an overview of the unique issues facing care experienced children and young people in terms of LGBTI+, Ethnicity, Education, Disability, Accommodation and Justice.
This Accommodation webinar aims to explore the experiences of young people living in care and in aftercare in Ireland, to highlight the different accommodation placements young people live in, while also looking at the areas and gaps which could be improved upon overall to improve these experiences.
Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, will present on the recommendations of his office’s submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on the List of Issues Prior to Reporting (LOIPR) for the fourth periodic examination of Ireland,’ July 2020, which urged the United Nations to put pressure on Ireland to step up its efforts to help the most vulnerable and protect children, even in any economic crisis sparked by Covid-19. This submission includes recommendations regarding Children in Care, Placement of children in care outside of the State, Aftercare, and Care of children presenting as Homeless.
Speaker/Contributor Bios:
Dr Niall Muldoon
Dr Niall Muldoon is Ireland’s second Ombudsman for Children. Niall, who is a counselling and clinical psychologist and was previously Director of Investigations at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO), was appointed by President Michael D Higgins on February 17th 2015. As Ombudsman for Children Niall has focused on generating an Ireland where children and young people are actively heard, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
During his tenure the Office has sought to give voice to those children who are often not listened to. In that time the Office has consulted with young people availing of Ireland’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Direct Provision, those in children’s hospitals, young people living in Family Hubs and young people affected by Brexit.
The OCO has also published a range of special reports on topics such as Education, Scoliosis Treatment and School Transport, as well as investigations highlighting cases where children’s rights were not respected in the provision of disability supports, in the care system and in housing.
In 2019 the OCO hosted “Beyond Limits: Empowering young people with disabilities” the first event of its kind bringing together 1,000 people in Croke Park for speakers, demonstrations, information and activities – all focused on children with disabilities. Working with others, Niall has contributed to
i) The introduction of the ‘Barnahus, Onehouse Galway’ model to ease trauma for children who have been sexually abused.
ii) Bringing an end to young people being held in adult prisons.
He is also a member of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) where he holds the role of Secretary on the Bureau.
More to follow...
Please note, these webinars are aimed at ages 16+