Welcome to Ask Robyn,

Thank you for reaching out today. It is so important for parents to have access to support and assistance for issues they need help with, are entitled to, or are curious about. You have asked where you can access a parental advocate—are you looking for support in a specific situation?

There are several organisations in Ireland that provide parental advocacy support, depending on the type of assistance you need:

• Barnardos run a Parental Advocacy Service for parents of children in care. They offer a free phone service at 1800 333 355.

• ClareCare also provides advocacy services for parents of children in care. You can contact them at 061 682 8178.

• DESSA (Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency) runs the Empowering Parents Programme, an advocacy and capacity-building programme for parents of disabled children and young people. They can be reached at 086 6011613.

• One Family offers support and advocacy for single-parent families across Ireland. You can find more information on their website: https://onefamily.ie/.

These are just a few of the available advocacy services. Without knowing the specific area of support you need, it’s difficult to provide tailored guidance. However, the ISPCC (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) also offers a Support Line Service, where you can speak with a team member who may be able to direct you to the appropriate resources. Sometimes, having a conversation can help ease the pressure and guide you towards a solution that works for you.

• Our ISPCC Support Line is open Monday to Friday, 9 am–1 pm. You can contact us at 01 522 4300 or via email at [email protected].

We hope this information is helpful and that you find the parental advocacy support that best fits your needs. Keep reaching out—there are always people and services available to support you. You are not alone.

Robyn