From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman T.D. today announced a series of online webinars focusing on prevention and early intervention.
The ‘Festival of Learning’ will spotlight leading global policymakers, practitioners and thinkers in prevention and early intervention, highlighting how it can improve the lives of children and young people.
Four seminars are planned on:
All those working in children and young people’s sectors are welcome to attend, but online registration in advance is essential.
Minister O’Gorman said:
“I’m delighted to be announcing this series of webinars. We know that prevention and early intervention can be cost effective, and more importantly it can improve the lives of children and young people. My Department is at the forefront of efforts to elevate its profile and ensure its potential is realised everywhere in Government.
“I am looking forward to hearing both from international experts in this area, and our own policymakers, providers and practitioners whose long-standing, diligent work will be recognised.”
This Festival of Learning is taking place as part of What Works, an initiative designed by the Department, with Dormant Accounts funding, to maximise the impact of prevention and early intervention to improve outcomes for children and young people living in Ireland. More details of each seminar are available on the What Works website and all those interested should register HERE.
Key international speakers and contributors to the sessions include Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Dr Patrick McCarthy (former President, Annie E. Casey Foundation), Professor Paul Cairney (University of Stirling), Rowan Conway (UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose), Alexa Hasse (Harvard University), and Dr Aisling Gillen (Tusla, the Child and Family Agency). The event will be moderated by Áine Kerr, an experienced teacher turned journalist turned entrepreneur who has presented ‘Reignite’ on Radio 1 and ‘The Business’ on RTÉ.
The Festival of Learning is intended to appeal both to those already working in prevention and early intervention and those looking to learn more about the subject. It will be presented in a conversational style, exploring new ideas and encouraging vibrant discussion with contributors and the audience. The Department is working with the Centre for Effective Services (CES) to manage this event.
ENDS
What Works is an initiative designed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to ensure those working with children, young people and their families build on the existing body of evidence demonstrating the impact of prevention and early intervention approaches, models and practices on outcomes for children.
What Works ensures that key groups know what works, how it works, and that it will provide an evidence supported approach to apply to this work. It focuses on enhancing key areas as they relate to children and young people’s services, aiming to enhance the use and availability of data and evidence; support learning and development; and ensure quality at the levels of policy, service and provision.
The initiative seeks to secure a return on the investment and impact in the area of prevention and early intervention in Ireland over the past decade. It will achieve this by resourcing key areas so that those working with and for children, young people and their families are supported in doing the right things, in the right way and at the right time.