We at CYPSC think that Ireland’s expression of love and care for children and young people can be found all around in families, in communities and in the range of services our state provides.
Those services dedicated to children such as Early Years services or schools and those that have a remit for all ages such as local authorities or the Health Service Executive. Ireland has particularly demonstrated the value our country places on children and young people under the stewardship of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). DCYA has dedicated itself to enhancing the well-being of all children and young people in Ireland. It has shaped policy and provides leadership and guidance on how we all need to ensure that we place children and young people at the heart of our country’s decision-making.
There are 27 Children and Young People’s Services Committees across Ireland. We bring the full range of services for children and young people in Ireland together around one table. Working all together we are generating and supporting a culture of partnership and collaboration across all services that touch the lives of children and young people in Ireland. The members of each local CYPSC are committed and engaging with each other in every county to ensure that Ireland uses the resources that it has in the best possible way so that children and young people are supported to live their best lives. CYPSC is an initiative of the DCYA that has relevance and high levels of participation by state services and community and voluntary services funded by many Government departments. The foresight and determination of DCYA to drive the CYPSC model of inter-agency working is ensuring that Ireland is actively paying attention to the needs of 30% of Ireland’s population; that is, all 0-24 year olds living in Ireland.
This dedication to children and young people shown by DCYA supports our country to maintain and sustain a focus on and commitment to children and young people. It also provides a platform for ongoing energetic and creative participation by children and young people, particularly those who are seldom heard, in state decisions. Having a Department of Children and Youth Affairs is serving our country well in enabling the talents and strengths of Ireland’s younger citizens to be seen and to influence important decisions made by our Government.
Children and Young People’s Services Committees operate in every county in Ireland. We are providing a focal point for the enhancement of local services for children and young people and a bridge between local and national so that local skills, knowledge and expertise can be shared upwards and into Government; and equally so that important Government policy can be translated into local action. CYPSC through the DCYA is giving the issues of children and young people and the services that support children and young people a voice at the highest level of government.
Visit each local CYPSC to find out about what is happening for children and young people in your county and how this DCYA initiative is walking the talk of love and care for Ireland’s children and young people. CYPSC members are making a difference. Collaborate with us!
Background:
Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) are a key structure identified by Government to plan and co-ordinate services for children and young people in every county in Ireland. The overall purpose is to improve outcomes for children and young people through local and national interagency working.
CYPSC are county-level committees that bring together the main statutory, community and voluntary providers of services to children and young people. They provide a forum for joint planning and co-ordination of activity to ensure that children, young people and their families receive improved and accessible services. Their role is to enhance interagency co-operation and to realise the national outcomes set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the national policy framework for children and young people 2014 - 2020.
The ultimate goal is to improve outcomes for all children and young people in Ireland.
www.cypsc.ie provides county by county information on local services, programmes and inter-agency plans dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and young people.
Read "CYPSC: Shared Vision, Next Steps" to find out about the next stage for CYPSC.
Contact Us:
Twitter: @CypscIrl
National CYPSC Office: cypsc@tusla.ie
website: www.cypsc.ie
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