ERIC Number: EJ1464085
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1357-5279
EISSN: EISSN-1476-489X
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Examining the Challenges Faced by Service Providers and Organisations Working with Children in the Direct Provision System in Ireland
Clare Maria Nee1; Declan Fahie1
Child Care in Practice, v31 n1 p4-17 2025
This paper examines the challenges service providers encounter when supporting children in Direct Provision in Ireland. It focuses particularly on the organisations--both voluntary and statutory--that are charged with providing support for this vulnerable cohort. Specifically, the paper considers the roadblocks these organisations face helping children in Direct Provision. Reception centres and Direct Provision centres across the world have come under increased scrutiny relating to the mental wellbeing and treatment of those under their care with increasing recognition of the vulnerabilities of children in such spaces. This paper draws on data from seven semi-structured interviews from six organisations (two interviewees were from the same organisation). The key stakeholders interviewed include, a child advocacy agency; a family advocacy agency; a refugee advocacy agency; a child helpline; two refugee organisations; supporting those in Direct Provision, all of whom offer support to families in these centres. This paper highlights the obstacles the organisations face due to issues inside and outside Direct Provision centres. These include (i) an absence of trust (ii) language barriers (iii) lack of resources. Specific recommendations include expanded NGO (non-governmental organisation) collaboration, increased funding for these service providers and further research on the long-term mental health effects on children living in Direct Provision.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Child Caregivers, Barriers, Advocacy, Trust (Psychology), Mental Health, Refugees, Family Programs, Nongovernmental Organizations, Privacy, Resource Allocation
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Education, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland