Reflexivity and participation in communities CZ

This visit focused on the needs and aspirations of young people leaving state care. The TAG group are funded by Tusla (the Irish state organization delivering services for children and families. Care leavers are defined as young people aged 18-25 who were in state care during their lives (for example, fostering and adoption arrangements). Two young people and two Tusla staff explained the relationship between the group and the governance arrangements within Tusla with Portuguese participants. The discussion focused on several issues. It was explained that, compared to other jurisdictions, Ireland has many fostering arrangements for children in state care. This represents a substantial move away from residential care in the last few decades, focusing on supporting families rather than using mandated interventions.

The young people explained aspects of their experience in state care and how it was important that Tusla and other organisations take these experiences and voices seriously. They provided examples of when social work interventions worked well and did not work well. There was a detailed discussion about how the group had opportunities to influence policy making in Tusla and that these processes were important to strengthen. For example, the group carried out a recent survey with other care leavers to explore what issues were essential for them.

The discussion then took place about how the Irish system might be compared to that used in Portugal. There appeared to be a significant contrast between the two. Although Ireland had many problems, particularly in terms of the abuse of children in residential care over a century, the move towards non-residential forms of care were improvements. In recent years, the law embedded services for young people leaving care, meaning that these young people had better opportunities for employment, education and housing. It would appear that the Portuguese system was less developed and overly dependent on residential approaches.

In conclusion, there was much interest in the Irish model and how these young people could engage in participatory ways in the design and delivery of state services. This model might be considered in Portugal. It was agreed that these discussions would continue between the Irish and Portuguese participants after the Dublin IP.