Welcome to Ask Robyn

Welcome to our Ask Robyn service, and thank you for getting in touch about your interest in supporting children who have experienced early trauma, particularly children who have been adopted.

It is meaningful that your own experiences have inspired you to consider a career helping children who may be navigating similar feelings and challenges.

We recognise that returning to education or exploring a new career direction can feel like a big step, particularly when balancing family responsibilities. However, there are different pathways into working with children and young people, and exploring these options can help you decide which direction may suit you best.

Exploring the different roles available

Firstly, it may help to think about the type of support you would most like to provide.

Some roles involve listening to children and offering emotional support, while others focus on practical family support, social care, education or therapeutic interventions.

For example, you might be interested in working within a children’s charity, becoming a family support worker, studying social care or eventually pursuing a counselling or therapeutic qualification.

Each pathway has different training and qualification requirements, so understanding the roles available can help you make informed decisions before committing to a course.

Looking at opportunities within ISPCC

This page advertises vacancies within ISPCC and provides information about the skills, experience and qualifications required for individual positions.

Looking through these job descriptions can be a useful starting point, even if you are not yet ready to apply. It may help you identify the qualifications you would need and the experience that employers are looking for.

Requirements vary depending on the position, and some specialist roles require relevant professional qualifications. ISPCC also carries out reference checks and Garda vetting as part of its recruitment process.

Some practical steps to get started

• Explore current ISPCC vacancies and make a note of the qualifications and experience required for roles that interest you.
• Research relevant courses in areas such as social care, child development, psychology or family support through recognised education providers.
• Consider introductory online courses in areas such as childhood trauma, attachment, safeguarding and child development to help you explore your interests.
• Look into suitable volunteering opportunities with organisations supporting children and families, as this may help you gain experience and learn more about working in the sector.

Building on your lived experience

Your personal experience of adoption may give you a valuable perspective on some of the feelings and challenges that adopted children can experience.

At the same time, every child’s experience of adoption is unique. Professional training can help us understand how to listen without making assumptions, recognise different emotional needs and respond appropriately to children who may have experienced trauma.

You do not need to decide on your entire career pathway immediately. Starting with one introductory course or exploring a few roles that interest you may help you work out what feels achievable alongside your current responsibilities.

Taking the next step

As well as checking our careers page, you could explore local further education colleges or recognised online education providers to see what courses are available and whether there are flexible study options.

Before enrolling, it is worth checking whether a qualification is recognised for the type of work you eventually hope to do. Short introductory courses can be useful for learning, but they do not necessarily qualify someone to provide specialist therapeutic support.

If you would like to explore opportunities within ISPCC, our careers page is a good place to begin, as it contains information about vacancies and recruitment.

For general parenting and child welfare support, our Support Line is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm on 01 5224300. You can also email [email protected].

Thank you for reaching out to Ask Robyn and for sharing your interest in supporting children who have experienced difficult beginnings. We wish you well as you explore this new direction, and please remember to take care of yourself too.

Robyn