Children's Advocacy

Representative Advocacy for Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Ireland

Research Team: Emma Burns, Dr Clíona de Bhailís and Professor Eilionóir Flynn

Commissioned by: Inclusion Ireland

About the Project

Children with disabilities and their families, particularly children with intellectual disabilities and multiple or complex disabilities, often have to advocate to receive the basic supports and services they require. This research aims to explore the need for a representative advocacy service for children with intellectual disabilities and their families in Ireland. In this research representative advocacy means individualised, independent support including support to have your views heard, representation in meetings and assistance to understand processes. An independent advocate can help a child and their family to find out more information about their rights and entitlements, understand or navigate the system, attend meetings with them and make sure their views are heard.

The research will work with an advisory group of young people, aged 18 – 24 years old, with intellectual disabilities to finalise the research materials, complete the data collection and data analysis. Focus groups will be conducted with children with intellectual disabilities, aged 9 – 17 and their parents or guardians to document their experiences and what sort of advocacy support they require. The project will also interview key stakeholders in the area including representatives of government departments, advocacy services and children’s rights organisations to ascertain their views. This information will be used to determine if there is a need for a representative advocacy service for children with intellectual disabilities and their families in Ireland and what form such a service should take.