Would you like to shape the future of Traveller Children and Young People’s participation and outcomes in Tusla services. This initiative from Tusla and in partnership with Laois Traveller Action Group and Dormant Accounts Funding is looking to recruit members for the new Traveller Youth Advisory Group.
If you have experience of Tusla Services – your family have or had a social worker, family support worker or an aftercare worker, educational welfare officer or you have been in foster care or residential care and you are aged between 18-25, why not get involved in the national “Traveller Youth Advisory Group”.
Why are we setting up this group?
- Tusla working with Traveller organisations wants to promote and support Traveller children and young people’s participation in Tusla services with the required structures and supports that will enable Traveller children and young people to participate
- To ensure Young Travellers are heard and have an influence and impact on Tusla services
- To steer a change in Tusla Services to enable their staff teams to be more knowledgeable about Traveller identity, experience, anti-racism and anti-discriminatory practice to be inclusive of Traveller needs.
What will be expected of you as a member of the group?
- Participate fully in meetings (up to 10 meetings over 12 months) these will last up to 3 hours and will usually include a workshop
- The group will be reviewed every 6 months.
- Meetings will be held online and in person and we will strive to vary the area to suit all participants.
- To work together with respect for each other
What is the aim of the Group
- To design, prepare and deliver 1-2 regional consultations with young Travellers who are involved with Tusla Services
- Tusla can consult with and seek advice from the group in matters relating to the Traveller Community and Tusla services
- Can identify issues and give advice that relates to the experiences of Travellers who use Tusla services.
- Promotes an inclusive and safe space led by young Travellers to express their views and share their experiences that relate to Tusla
- Educate and raise awareness of Traveller issues within Tusla staff/funded agencies/service users.
- Engage in consultation with other young Travellers who use or have experience of Tusla services
- Provide information to Tusla services in relation to what Traveller family’s needs are in this area
- Opportunities to participate in research that will support Tusla services for Traveller families.
Supports you can expect as part of the group
- Training for members of this group to enable them to use their voices to bring about change.
- Training for members to participate and gain the full experience of the group.
- Group members will have the support of a Peer Support Worker
- There will be an effective two-way communication pathway with national decision makers and at a regional and local level
- Group members will receive travel and other out of pocket expenses for attending meetings and consultations.
- Out of pocket expenses and travel will be catered for.
- The group will also find the time to participate in some fun activities to encourage team building and team bonding
For more information or if you have any questions about the Traveller Youth Advisory Group contact;
Peer Support Worker – Alison McDonagh – 057 868 2210, email – alison.mcdonagh@ltag.ie
Community Development Worker – Brian Byrne – 085 870 2173, email – brian.byrne@ltag.ie
