A new free-of-charge service to help migrant parents who have had their children taken into State care or are in need of child support interventions was launched in Dublin yesterday.
The Migrant Family Support Service, which is a national initiative from the New Communities Partnership (NCP) with a network of more than 175 ethnic minority-led organisations in Ireland, aims to support migrant families and foster parents.
Gordon Jeyes, chief executive of the child and family agency Tusla, speaking at the official launch, said he looked forward to working with the service, run by a team of trained, multi-lingual and multi-faith staff and volunteers.
“I am deeply conscious of the cultural adjustments required to fit ethnic, religious or social norms. In Tusla, we are prepared to share this learning. Cultural sensitivity training has been designed for our staff ,” he said.
“Maybe in the past we’ve not been good enough at saying this is what we do and this is what you can do.
“The pace of the change in Ireland has been at a phenomenal speed.
“In that context Ireland’s been doing very well - but there’s more to do and we could do better.”
Daniela Jurj, national co-ordinator for Migrant Support Services, said the new services was vital to the migrant community.
Ms Jurj said since they had started their services in January and opened drop-in clinics in Dublin and Cork, they had helped 19 families.
She said 90 per cent of their referrals were from social workers as the support service worked closely with State agencies.
“There is a huge need for this service. More and more families have been approaching NCP for help.”
Ms Jurj said the group also helped front-line professionals to deliver child protection interventions to families in a “mutually co-operative manner”.
She said many of the migrant parents they have worked with felt “alone and intimidated” through the processes.
“They say ‘I can’t believe this is happening to me. I didn’t know that was wrong’,” she said.
“Parents are most confused about issues around neglect and discipline like corporal punishment.
“We’re there to listen to the parents’ concerns, explain processes and help with any issues that may arise when the child comes back home,” she said.
Reginald Oko-Flex Inya, director of NCP, said the service helped parents have a clearer understanding of their rights and obligations towards their children’s welfare.
“At present in Ireland, there is a general lack of understanding and stigma surrounding migrant families going through child protection interventions,” he said.
“Encouraging positive parenting interactions between migrant families and childcare service providers is at the heart of this service.”
