Parent and Carer Involvement in the Online World of Children

ReportSince 2014, the Barnardos Online Safety Programme, supported by Google.org, has equipped children, parents, and educators across Ireland with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely. Delivering workshops to over 100,000 children in more than 1,000 schools, the programme promotes a holistic approach where digital providers, policymakers, and communities all contribute to creating safe, age-appropriate online spaces. Each year, Barnardos gathers insights from children to shape programme delivery, and this year’s research also includes the perspective of parents and carers. The report explores how supported children feel by their caregivers in online activities, their comfort in discussing digital experiences, and when they seek help. Findings show that teens often struggle to talk about the emotional aspects of their online lives, while younger children seek more guidance on identifying misinformation, emotional wellbeing, and online consumer behaviour but value autonomy over screen time and social media use. Parents, although actively engaged, report difficulty keeping pace with technological change. The insights underscore the need for open communication, mutual trust, and shared digital experiences between parents and children to strengthen resilience, encourage positive online participation, and promote digital safety

Annual Report 2024

Annual reportBarnardos’ work in 2024 was guided by the understanding that childhood experiences shape lives and that, with the right support, every child can thrive—because “Childhood Lasts a Lifetime.” We supported 35,649 children and parents across 56 centres, homes, schools, and protection settings, addressing the long-term effects of trauma and adverse experiences such as deprivation, instability, and homelessness. Partnerships, particularly with Tusla, remained central to achieving our mission. During the year, Barnardos advanced several initiatives amplifying children’s voices, including the Empower Kids group and consultations on the Online Safety programme, whose 2024 theme explored children’s perspectives on Artificial Intelligence. Outcome measurement frameworks were standardised across family support services, demonstrating significant positive results, and specialist evaluations continued to ensure service quality. Our advocacy and research remained strong, marked by reports on parental mental health, child poverty, and the cost of living, contributing to policy outcomes such as expanded school meals and free schoolbook schemes in Budget 2025. Despite inflationary and funding challenges, new campaigns and generous donor partnerships sustained delivery. Internally, Barnardos advanced its People & Culture strategy, achieved a Bronze Award from the Irish Centre of Diversity, and launched a new employee assistance programme. With 514 staff and 250 volunteers, Barnardos continues to uphold high standards in service, governance, and sustainability—remaining steadfast in its commitment to support vulnerable children and families, ensuring every child has the opportunity to live a fulfilling life

Parental Mental Health & the Impact on Children

ReportAt Barnardos, we believe that all children deserve the best start in life. Our services aim to transform the lives of vulnerable children because childhood lasts a lifetime. One of the most important ways of providing children experiencing disadvantage the best opportunity for positive wellbeing and development is to make sure they live in a safe, consistent and secure environment with loving adults who can parent positively. Unfortunately there are adversities that can make that more challenging. This briefing focuses on one of those issues, poor parental mental health. Without adequate supports, children living in households experiencing poor parental mental health are at greater risk of developing their own mental health problems, disengaging from school, struggling to build relationships and generally experiencing worse wellbeing and future opportunities. If we want to improve children and young people’s mental health across the country, a firm commitment made under this new Government, addressing the negative impact of parental mental health must be a priority. Whole family supports mitigate and reduce the potential harm and negative impacts on children. Enhancing and making them more readily available should be a first step, because childhood lasts a lifetime

Homelessness, Poor Housing and the Impact on Children 2025

ReportThis report highlights that the ever-increasing number of children in homelessness is damaging childhoods across the country. The latest homelessness data figures from the Department of Housing are expected to reach over the unprecedented milestone of 5,000 (almost double the number five years ago). Barnardos is calling on the Government to take urgent steps to protect these children and mitigate the harm children may suffer from entering and living in emergency accommodation

Guidance for Childminders: Supporting Children with Transitions

BookletChildren experience many transitions in their lives. Some of these are big transitions, such as moving from home to a childminder setting or starting a new school, while others are smaller, daily transitions, like moving from playing in the sandpit to having lunch. Whatever the size or scope of the transition, children need support from the important adults in their lives to navigate the changes taking place. As a childminder, you develop close, nurturing relationships with the children in your care. This enables you to offer individualised support around transitions based on each child’s needs. When you plan transitions well, in collaboration with a child’s family, you can prepare the child for what is to come, help them adapt to the new situation, and ease any concerns they might have. In doing so, the child is more likely to experience positive outcomes and to become confident in anticipating and managing change, now and in the future. This resource offers guidance on how you can support children’s social and emotional development and wellbeing during transitions

Cost Of Living Crisis: Impact on Children 2025

ReportFor the past four years we have been monitoring the impact of cost of living increases on families and children. This report is the fourth in a series detailing the number of families who are cutting back and going without essentials, the impact it is having on their day to day lives and general quality of life and the worries they have for the future. The latest statistics from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) show that the rate of child deprivation remained similar last year when compared to 2023, 21.2% marginally down from 21.4%. However, there was a jump in the number of children at risk of poverty, from 14.3% to 15.3%, and substantial increase in those deemed to be living in consistent poverty, from 4.8% to 8.5%. This is despite there being cost of living measures in place over the last few budgets, without which there would have higher increases. In the recent Programme for Government there was a commitment to implement actions to ‘lift more children out of poverty, giving them the futures they deserve’. The Taoiseach Michael Martin reiterated this at the National Economic Dialogue stating that for Budget 2026 he is asking ministers to plan and come forward with measures that will really make the difference to the most vulnerable families and children. At the same time the Child Poverty and Programme Office has recently committed to continue to monitor progress, address challenges, and grow thenational coordinated effort to improve the lives of children and their families and communities. The findings of this report urge government to fulfil these promise, taking actions, both immediate and longer term to ensure all children in Ireland have access to basic essentials necessary for a decent childhood

The Real Cost of School in 2025 - Back to School Survey (Report)

ReportFor over 20 years Barnardos has been campaigning to reduce back to school costs, in order to reduce financial pressure facing parents across the country. Budget 2023 introduced free schoolbooks to all primary school children, Budget 2024 to all pupils in junior cycle and then extended to all pupils last year in Budget 2025. Also, in Budget 2025 the Government expanded the eligibility of the hot school meals programme to all primary schools along with a welcome increase to the capitation grant from €200 to €224 per student in primary schools and from €345 to €386 per student in post-primary schools, starting September 2025. However, many parents still remain concerned about several back to school costs, in particular in relation to uniforms, voluntary contributions and for secondary school parents the increasing cost of digital devices. The 2025 Barnardos Back to School Report considers these issues and other back to school financial pressures on parents and families as their children return to education in September, reflecting some shared views and findings from our Cost of Living report published last month. It is important the Government continues the positive momentum and builds on recent actions to provide a truly free education. Barnardos calls on the government to prioritise these steps: 1. Expand eligibility to back to school allowance 2. Continue to increase capitation rate to reduce reliance on voluntary contributionsand introduce a voluntary fund code of practice 3. Reduce the cost of digital devices schools placed on parents 4. Continue to promote affordable uniform option

Barnardos Children’s Budget 2026

PaperIn the recent Programme for Government1 there was a commitment to implement actions to ‘lift more children out of poverty, giving them the futures they deserve’. The Taoiseach Michael Martin reiterated this at the National Economic Dialogue stating that for Budget 2026 he is asking ministers to plan and come forward with measures that will really make the difference to the most vulnerable families and children. In order to achieve this, and improve childhoods for those most at risk, there must be increased financial supports as well as additional family, health and developmental supports. Too many children continue to go without essentials, and too many families and children go without the support they need to have a decent childhood and provide them with the best opportunities to develop. All children should have access to decent quality homes, parents who are in a position to support, access to essentials and the ability to access essential services. The longer children live in poverty and deprivation and go without essential supports, the greater an impact it will have on their health, wellbeing, and future development

Online Safety Over the Summer Holidays

Information sheetAs the school year wraps up, children and young people often spend more time online — from social apps and streaming videos to games and group chats. While these digital activities can offer entertainment and connection, they can also bring challenges to wellbeing, focus, and safety. Here are some tips on how you can support your children’s online safety and balance screen time over the holidays

Evaluation of the Parental Advocacy and Information Service

Evaluation reportThis is an evaluation of the Parental Advocacy and Information Service (PAIS), which was established in 2022. PAIS offers face-to-face advocacy across pilot sites, supporting parents through meetings and legal processes, complemented by a national helpline and email service. It accepts diverse referrals and provides multimedia resources, workshops, and clinics to enhance accessibility and parental engagement. International research shows parents in child care proceedings often feel disempowered, but advocacy can improve relationships, participation, and outcomes. Ireland’s system has shifted from institutional care to rights-based, participatory approaches emphasising prevention, early intervention, and strengths-based family support. A realist-informed, mixed-methods evaluation (2022–2024) examined how PAIS operates and its impact. Data sources included service reports, 28 interviews with parents and professionals, 37 surveys from key stakeholders, and seven detailed Barnardos case studies illustrating advocacy outcomes. PAIS expanded rapidly, with referrals rising from 33 to 98 in 2023 and 107 parents supported. By mid-2024, 82 cases were active. The service delivered 1,226 support sessions, 195 court attendances, and 374 information enquiries across multiple channels. Dublin North City had 36.6% of cases, followed by Waterford and Wexford. Most users were women (79.6%), aged 26–40, predominantly White Irish (79.6%), with Irish Travellers as the largest minority. Lone parents comprised 80.6% of families served. Parent surveys showed extremely positive experiences with PAIS, highlighting emotional support, advocacy, rights awareness, and improved communication with professionals. Parents felt more confident, informed, and involved in child care decisions. Professionals strongly endorsed PAIS, noting enhanced collaboration, parental participation, and trust-building. Advocate interviews underscored trauma-informed, empathetic, and transparent practice as key to positive outcomes, though issues like vicarious trauma, supervision needs, and resource constraints emerged. Overall, PAIS was viewed as transformative in empowering parents and strengthening inter-agency relationships. The PAIS evaluation shows a strong positive impact on parents in child care proceedings, improving participation, relationships, and outcomes through trauma-informed advocacy. Key recommendations include sustaining and expanding the service nationally, preserving its independence, providing robust advocate training, and ensuring equitable access. Strengthening collaboration between advocates and professionals, addressing resource barriers, and embedding participatory approaches across child protection were emphasized. Continued evaluation and research are needed to assess long-term effectiveness and guide development. Overall, PAIS offers a transformative model for rights-based, parent-centered support within Ireland’s evolving child protection system