Minister Foley welcomes publication of guidelines for consulting with parents

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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has welcomed the publication of Guidelines for Consulting with Parents following a launch event which is taking place this afternoon.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality commissioned the National Parents Council to develop a set of best practice guidelines which can be utilised by Government departments, State agencies, local authorities, schools, voluntary bodies and any practitioners wanting to capture the voice of parents. The National Parents Council liaised with the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, in the National Disability Authority from the outset of the project to ensure that the guidelines are inclusive of all parent groups.

The guidelines lay out practical and easy to follow steps that can be used by any organisation engaging with parents throughout the consultation process. The guidelines offer step-by-step directions for a wide variety of consultation types including online surveys, one-to-one meetings, and in-person/online group consultation sessions.

Speaking following today’s launch, Minister Foley said:

“I am delighted to see the publication of these guidelines, which have been specifically designed to give organisations engaging with parents a step-by-step roadmap that will support them throughout the entire consultation process.

I am confident this will be a valuable resource which will result in better outcomes for parents and children, and the organisations working to support them.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the National Parents Council for their work in developing these guidelines.”

CEO of the National Parents Council, Áine Lynch commented:

“Parents play a central role in their children’s lives, and meaningful consultation is essential to strengthening relationships and improving outcomes for families.”

Organisations can access the Guidelines for Consulting with Parents here.

The guidelines were developed as part of an action of Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s cross government approach to strengthening parenting supports across Ireland. The Supporting Parents model is informed by research, consultation and direct engagement with parents, children and young people.