‘Raising Children Together’
Tusla and CYPSC launch parenting support strategy in Roscommon
Friday 19th September: Tusla – Child and Family Agency in partnership with Children & Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) launched a new 5-year Parenting Support Strategic Plan 2025-2029 at the Quad in Roscommon. The aim of the new parenting support plan is to help build strong parenting supports together with families and the local communities and build a comprehensive approach to positive and supportive parenting in County Roscommon.
Speaking at the event Paddy Martin, Tusla Regional Chief Officer, West North West, commented “I’m delighted to launch this new parenting support plan, which has been developed over the last year with the support and recommendations from parents and community groups across Roscommon. The voices of almost 400 people in parenting roles were part of developing this parenting strategy.
“It is vital that we continue to listen to the needs of the local communities so that we can provide necessary and appropriate supports for children and families. We welcome the ongoing collaboration with parents, and our aim is that the families that need help or guidance know where they can access the wide range of supports available to them.”
Some of the feedback received from parents included “We are delighted with the support we got. The Family Support Worker did excellent work.” One parent commented “The message in the community regarding Tusla needs to be changed. The referral to Tusla Child Protection Services lead us here to Family Support and everything turned out so well.” Another parent said “If there are families who have experiences like we had, we would love for them to be confident enough to come to Family Support and be able to ask for help.”
The plan was developed in collaboration with CYPSC, Tusla Prevention Partnership & Family Support Service Subgroup & the Parent Support Champion group. A county-wide consultation process heard and examined the needs of those in a parenting role as well as family and parenting support providers across County Roscommon and sought solutions to address local needs.
A strong response from parenting advocates and representatives from support organisations in Roscommon agreed that there was a need for enhanced co-ordination of parenting supports in a space that shares and promotes the parenting supports that are available to meet the needs of parents across the county.
The need to offer parenting supports early and provide support at the significant stages and transitions when most needed was also highlighted and support planning should be tailored to meet these parenting support requirements. Considerations were also required in relation to language barriers which contribute to challenges in delivering parenting support, namely inequalities in information access, communication and messaging.
The new parenting plan will help to ensure that there are accessible parenting supports available. It also promotes the importance of parenting and aims to support the wellbeing of all those in a parenting role.
You can access ‘Raising Children Together’ here
