The event will send a message to children in care, that if you want to go to third level education, there are avenues open for you to do so
A seminar on the topic of advocacy and education throughout a young person’s journey through foster/residential care is to take place in the Main Auditorium on the Cork Rd Campus of Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) on Monday, 28 March.
The seminar, Advocacy, Education and the Care Experience: Educators from a different perspective, is being hosted at WIT through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Fund 2022 as part of WIT’s commitment to facilitating the voices of students who have traditionally been excluded and as part of a larger initiative towards improving services for care experienced students in education.
In addition, a workshop will be held for both care experienced people and those who work with care experienced people.
Dr Danielle Douglas from the Department of Social Care and Early Childhood, WIT and Peter Lane from EPIC (Empowering People in Care) warmly invite WIT staff, students, social care/work professionals, teachers, foster carers, care experienced people and others interested in learning about the lives of those in alternative care to a special event that celebrates all care-experienced young people with a focus on those in, or thinking about, further or higher education.
Dr Douglas says: “There is a need to develop a strengths-based initiative that challenges assumptions and stereotypes, recognises and respects care experienced people as a diverse group of students who although may face extra difficulties during their time at third level, have a right to inclusive services that will support them to reach their full potential. It is hoped that this day of celebration will be part of a larger initiative that sends a clear message of solidarity to care experienced students at WIT and within the wider community.”
Peter Lane who is an advocacy worker with EPIC, will be present on the day to audio record the session for EPIC’S Care Experienced Podcast adds: “This unique event will be of huge interest to anyone who places importance on improving the Irish care system. The first live podcast recording of The Care Experienced Podcast will feature some passionately articulate, compelling and perceptive voices, all of whom have care experience, and all of whom have authority in their own fields. There will be a wide-ranging discussion on the meaning of advocacy and how advocacy can be best placed to support the voices of children in care.”
“It also will send a message to children in care, that if you want to go to third level education, there are avenues open for you to do so. Here are the people who have trodden the paths before you and they are shining a light back up along the pathway so it will be easier for you to find your way.”
Workshop sign up
In addition, a closed workshop taking place in the afternoon for care experienced people or those who work with care experienced people. Anybody who would like to take part in the afternoon closed workshop can email Dr Danielle Douglas at [email protected].
“The afternoon session promises to be a fabulously innovative series of workshops which intends to send a message to third level educators and other professionals about how best they can support further education for young people with care experience,” she says.
The Advocacy, Education and the Care Experience: Educators from a different perspective event will take place between 11am and 1 pm with refreshments provided after. Tickets are free but registration is required as there are limited seats. Book via Eventbrite.
Related Courses
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Practice
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Science
- Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Care
- Master of Arts in Social Justice and Public Policy
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Care and Education
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SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
