Staff Directory - John Byrne

My Research

In 2004 I conducted a piece of research on the use of prescribed medication in the treatment of young people in care. This study received entensive media coverage and led the then Minister for chidlren (Brian Lennihan) to order a national review of policy and practice on this issue. The findings of this study were recognised as significant by the international child and youth care network based in North America. 

My current research interests include effectiveness in addiction treatment and the therapeutic role of social care workers. 

Teaching Experience

I have been lecturing in WIT since 2000. My subject areas include Personal and Professional Development and Applied Social Studies. I also provide suppport and supervision to our students on practice placement in the East Coast, Midlands and North-east regions.

Between 2003 and 2005 I was a part time lecturer on the social care course  in St Patrick's College, Carlow. I also taught for two years in DIT on their social care program.

My Professional Experience

I have over twenty years experience of working in a variety of care settings. While I have worked in adult disability and homeless services, the majority of my social care experience has been in the area of residential child care, working with children and adolescents with moderate to severe emotional and behavioural difficulties. I have worked in the state, vuluntary and private for profit services.

In 2004 I was the first paid co-ordinator of the Irish Association of Social Care Workers, the professional association for social care in Ireland.This organisation changed its name and re-structured itself based on the recommendations made in my M.A. research.

Since 2010, I have been working as counsellor/psychotherapist in a private capacity. I provide 1:1 counselling, group facilitation and staff training and support to child and social care services across Ireland. My clients include the Rutland addiction treatment center in Dublin and the Waterford and South Tipperary Community Youth Service (outreach drugs team).

In 2013 I was the external change management consultant employed by Giraffe child-care in Dublin when they found themselves embroiled in a creche care controversy. My work with Giraffe involved conducting a full care review of 21 centers, providing recommendations and supplementary training for 500 staff and 21 managers and their deputies..

Publications

Byrne, J. (2016) "Love in Social Care: Necessary Pre-requisite or Blurring of Boundaries?" Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care (In Print)

Byrne, J. (2013) "Therapeutic Social Care Practice" in Lalor, K. and Share, P. "Applied Social Care, An Introduction for Students in Ireland 3rd Edition, Dublin, MacMillan

Byrne, J. (2009) "Personal and Professional Development for Social Care Workers" in Lalor, K. and Share, P. "Applied Social Care, An Introduction for Students in Ireland 2nd Edition, Dublin, MacMillan

Byrne, J. and Mc Hugh J. (2005) "Residential Child Care" in  Share, P and Mc Elwee, N.. "Applied Social Care, An Introduction for Students in Ireland, Dublin, MacMillan

I have also written, or contributed to very many newspaper articles on issues related to child/social care. For more information GOOGLE 'John Byrne Social Care WIT' or 'John Byrne Social Care Irish Examiner''