The National Co-ordinator for Children and Young People’s Services Committees has been working closely with education partners to strengthen connections between CYPSC and the education sector and to increase participation by education stakeholders in interagency work. With “the prize” being improved outcomes for children and young people living in each county in Ireland.
A CYPSC workshop took place in January at the Centre for Effective Services in conjunction with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD). The workshop was well attended by NAPD members who represent their association on CYPSC across Ireland. The role of the NAPD member on a CYPSC is to represent the post primary school sector in their region or county and to inform the education agenda of CYPSC. The workshop was an opportunity for these school managers to meet with each other and with national NAPD and CYPSC leadership to reflect on Irish policy informing CYPSC work and on how they can positively contribute to the development of local services for students living in their county.
The workshop was very positively received with principals identifying the value of meeting as a collective to share experiences and learning and to develop peer supports. Principals committed to utilising existing NAPD fora to enhance local communication about CYPSC work with their education colleagues. The workshop closed with greater resolve that while interagency working is challenging and that it takes time… that it’s worth it!
NAPD members pictured at CYPSC Workshop
Back row L to R: Tom Prendergast, CBS Sexton Street Limerick; Chris Darby St. Eunan’s College Donegal; Finbar Brohan Our Lady’s Secondary School Monaghan; Margaret Griffiths Dunmore Community School Galway; Anne Duggan St. Joseph’s College Westmeath; Mary Keane Christ the King Secondary School Cork; Paul Byrne Carrick on Shannon Community School Leitrim; Clive Byrne NAPD; Front row L to R: Colma Nic Lughadha CES; Jacqueline Maher Scoil Mhuire Meath.