Report Launch: Pathways towards Stable Housing for Parents & Children Exiting Residential Services

10 Jun 2024

On Tuesday 18th June, the report; Pathways towards Stable Housing for Parents & Children Exiting Residential Services will be launched. 

Guests are cordially invited to this event which will take place in the NW Council Room, UCC. Refreshments will be served from 1.50pm with the launch commencing at 2.00pm and finishing by 3.30pm. 

Speakers: Dr Margaret Buckley and Edith Busteed, School of Applied Social Studies, UCC

Opening remarks: Prof. Cathal O’Connell, Interim Head of College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences 

 All welcome but please register in advance for catering purposes at: Register Here

Abstract

This seminar will report on the finding of the project Pathways towards Stable Housing for Parents & Children Exiting Residential Services.

This project, which was funded by the Housing Agency Research Support Programme, was conducted in collaboration with Childhood Matters in the Bessborough Centre. Childhood Matters provides multidisciplinary assessments of parenting capacity within a residential setting.

This research documents the necessity of including parents and children exiting tertiary services, who are facing homelessness and housing instability, in future policy development.

A viable and practical model for successful transition from residential services to living in the community is needed in Ireland. Currently, there are few pathways available to people, and particularly families, who are exiting residential settings and facing housing precarity, instability or homelessness.

By amalgamating the views of service users, staff in NGOs and local authorities, data of homeless service use and the economics of homeless services, a model for supported housing aimed at assisting families, who may have complex needs, exiting residential settings into accommodation in the community was developed. A supported housing model, as proposed by this research, hopes to bridge the gap that exists for families exiting residential settings and returning to the community.

For more on this story contact:

Contact Dr Margaret Buckley