Collaboration and participation in decision-making

A total of 20 submissions called for increased collaboration between the Department and other organisations on issues relating to children (Tusla, Barnardos, Pobal, ICTU, MIRRA, DRDC, DSP, DES, IDEA, NYCI, YWCI, YWI, YSI, CYPSC, AC, SCNN, LGBT Ireland, CPPN, public member 1, DFA). This included suggestions to increase the range of opportunities for participation in policy planning and decision-making. For example, Tusla requested collaboration between the Department, the HEA, CORU, and higher education institution representatives to address a “shortage of social workers”.

Tusla, the DRCD and CYPSC drew attention to the value of the CYPSC’s collaborative infrastructure in planning and coordinating services for children. The CYPSC suggested that the Department should strengthen:

pathways and mechanisms of influence from local to national so that collaboratives such as CYPSC are empowered to contribute to shaping systems, practice and policy development

and called for the;

enhancement of horizontal communications capacity to ensure good practices in the field of wellbeing of children, young people and families are identified, shared and spread across the country.