NCP National Conference 2017 - Press release

NEW COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP (NCP) SHOWS AN INCREASE IN DEMAND NATIONALLY FOR ITS MIGRANT FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE

At its national conference in Dublin Castle today (30 March), NEW COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP (NCP), supported by Tusla – Child and Family Agency, highlighted the positive work it is doing in supporting migrant communities in Ireland.

Daniela Jurj, National Co-ordinator, NCP MIGRANT FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE spoke today about what staff have learnt in its delivery of the service:

“We have become acutely aware of how vulnerable and often confused and stigmatised migrant families are when they’re going through the service. Providing a safe space, a confidential listening ear and clear guidance through the very complex child protection and legal system has proved invaluable to the parents we support”. Ms. Jurj added: “We’ve also learnt that prevention is key. Top of our priorities is training migrant parents and community leaders in parenting practices in Ireland”.

The conference presented feedback on the NCP MIGRANT FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE:

• Since its establishment in 2014, the service has received over 9500 calls, increasing from 980 calls in its first year to 4453 in 2016
• It supported 133 families
• 34 different nationalities featured amongst its client families, the highest percentage being from West Africa (Nigeria in particular)
• Clients travelled from 13 different counties in Ireland to access its drop-in clinics in Dublin and Cork
• 60% of the clients were referrals from Tusla – Child and Family Agency

A free and confidential service, the NCP MIGRANT FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE provides professional assistance to migrant families whose children have been taken into care or are experiencing child protection interventions. It gives cultural support to Tusla’s social workers who are the professionals at the frontline, and child protection training to migrant and religious community leaders and migrant NGOs. It has offices and drop-in clinics in Dublin and Cork and it funded by Tusla – Child and Family Agency.

Speakers at NEW COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP National Conference 2017 were:

Anca Lupu, NCP CEO
Daniela Jurj, NCP Migrant Family Support Service Co-ordinator
Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission
Judge Rosemary Horgan, President of the District Court
Dr. Carol Coulter, Director of the Child Care Law Reporting Project
Eifion Williams, Interim – Head of Commissioning TUSLA

This event was supported by TUSLA Child and Family Agency,  Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government , and Pobal through Scheme to Support National Organisations 2016-2019

Mary Folan, Publicist, Mobile: 086 392 7081, email: mmfolan@gmail.com