The purpose of Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) is to secure better outcomes for children and young people in Ireland, through more effective co-operation and collaboration by existing services and through interventions at a local level.
CYPSC work towards the five national outcomes for children and young people in Ireland under Young Ireland, the new National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2023 – 2028).
These national outcomes are that children and young people:
1. Are active and healthy
2. Are achieving in learning and development
3. Are safe and protected from harm
4. Have economic security and opportunity
5. Are connected, respected and contributing to their world Every CYPSC develops and implements a three-year Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), which outlines that committee’s priorities and action plan.
Each CYPP is informed by CYPSC members and the voices of children, young people, and families. It also links with other local and regional plans (such as the Local Economic and Community Plan [LECP] for the county). This CYPP emerged from a comprehensive process that involved data gathering, research on the current landscape and needs in the Fingal region including extensive consultations with over two thousand key stakeholders including children and young people, parents/guardians, and people working with children, young people and families in the Fingal region including Fingal CYPSC members.
This process took place during the second half of 2023 and involved three online surveys, many focus groups with children, young people and parents/guardians, an in-person consultation day with nearly 100 people working with children, young people and families in Fingal, followed by a comprehensive strategic planning process with members of the CYPSC. Through this process, strengths and achievements, as well as needs and gaps were identified, and the aspirations of children, young people, families and service providers for changes that would improve outcomes were identified, themed and prioritised, and this information was used to inform Fingal CYPSC’s plan of work for the next three years.
Fingal CYPSC has now identified local priority thematic areas and specific objectives, actions and targets aligned with each of the five national outcomes for children and young people referenced in Young Ireland, in addition to the thematic area of Change Management. With the support of the CYPSC Coordinator, CYPSC members (main committee and subgroups) will work collaboratively over the coming three years to achieve its objectives and targets within the various thematic areas. This Plan outlines the strategic approach that the Fingal Children and Young People’s Services Committee (Fingal CYPSC) will take in its work to improve the lives of children, young people, and families in the Fingal region from 2024 – 2026.