Catch Up with EPIC!
On a dreary Friday afternoon Shauna and Leah had a catch up with Epic that brightened up their day. Adrian, John and Tara kindly joined us to discuss the great work EPIC and care experienced young people do while also addressing some of the challenges they face. Strap in while we take you on an EPIC journey of discovery.
Shauna: John, you've had such an interesting and varied career path. Could you share what led you to work for EPIC? I know from our previous conversations that you're passionate about child protection and children's rights, which I find fascinating. Maybe you could start by telling us a bit about your journey to this role.
John: Sure! I began my career in residential centers, first working in Wicklow and then in Mallow. After that, I worked in Barnardos with adults who had experienced the old industrial school system. I later moved into child protection work and worked as a resource worker in Limerick. However, I wanted to return to working with children, so when the EPIC job was advertised in 2012, it felt like the perfect fit. I've always been passionate about children's rights and advocating for young people, particularly those in care. When I saw the job, I knew I had to apply, and I’m so grateful to be in this role, advocating for the rights of young people in the care system. My dissertation for my social science degree in 1999 was on "The Voice of Children in Residential Care." I brought a copy to my EPIC interview and mentioned that this issue had been on my radar for 14 or 15 years. I even got permission to interview staff and young people in residential centers before TUSLA existed. It really shows how long I've been focused on this area!
Shauna: I think a lot of students will be interested in how your idea for your thesis evolved into your career.Does anyone else want to share their thoughts on this question?
Adrian: Sure, I think it's important to highlight what John mentioned about networking. His journey was quite meandering, and it’s a good reminder that for many students, it can be hard to know where your career is headed at this stage. But through networking and exposing yourself to new opportunities, you eventually start to figure it out. Whether you’re in social care or social science, meeting new people and engaging in different experiences can help guide you in the right direction.
Tara: I’d also like to add, especially in relation to EPIC’s education project. Before joining EPIC, I worked in international human rights and education, with a particular interest in children’s rights. However, during my studies, I noticed a gap when it came to children in care—there was no focus on their educational needs. After seeing EPIC’s dynamic work online, I was drawn to the education project manager role, which perfectly aligned with my passion for children’s rights in education. Since joining, I’ve realized just how much this area is underrepresented, and it’s become a unique focus of my career.
Leah: What role do young people play in shaping EPIC's programs and services?
Adrian: Young people are actively involved in shaping EPIC’s work. Through our advocacy service, we work directly with young people up to age 26, listening to their concerns and helping them navigate challenges. Their experiences inform what areas we focus on, from direct support to policy-level advocacy. Advocates work closely with young people, empowering them to make decisions about their own cases. We ensure they’re always active participants, providing consent before any actions are taken on their behalf.
Additionally, our youth councils—both under 18 and over 18—offer valuable feedback on their care experiences. For example, Rory Brown, a youth council member, highlighted the need for more focus on care-experienced young people in schools, leading to Tara’s project.
Adrian: At EPIC, we actively involve young people in shaping our work through consultations, surveys, and advisory panels. We engage with those who have specific insights from their lived experiences, allowing us to address issues that matter most to them. For example, our youth council helped create the "Headphones, Odd Socks, and a Second Chance at Life" report, focusing on care-experienced young people with disabilities. We're also working on projects about young people in care seeking international protection and those transitioning to college.
John: Our youth council plays a major role in shaping these projects, ensuring their voices are heard in both research and policy.
Adrian: The "Headphones" project highlighted the intersection of disability and care experience, a group often overlooked. These insights are vital for shining a light on underserved areas.
Shauna: Can you tell us about Care Day?
Adrian: Care Day, celebrated on February 21st, is a day to honor care-experienced young people. This year’s theme, “Voices from Care: Ripples of Change,” was chosen by our youth council. We encourage external agencies to join in, promoting creativity and celebration through art, writing, and online events. We also have a special edition of a care-experienced newspaper, with contributions from both young people and experts. The goal is to raise awareness of the challenges and achievements of care-experienced youth, while pushing for change.
Leah: So how does EPIC collaborate with other organizations to enhance support for young people in care?
Tara: EPIC collaborates with various organizations to support children in care, especially in education. We formed an advisory group with experts from the Department of Education, foster carers, and youth council members to push for greater awareness of children in care at schools. The Department of Education is now supportive of school resources for these children, and we've also worked closely with TUSLA to fund and support the project.
John: On the research side, EPIC collaborates with universities and external organizations like IREC to fund and conduct studies. We also work with the Children’s Choice Alliance, which includes over 100 children’s charities, to amplify our collective voice and ensure our advocacy reaches a wider audience.
Shauna: Can you share more about Rory's story?
Adrian: Rory, who grew up in foster care, became a member of EPIC's youth council and later a primary school teacher. His passion for education led to the creation of Tara's project, which focuses on improving resources for care-experienced young people. Rory's story shows how grassroots conversations can lead to impactful initiatives when supported properly.
Leah: I'm just wondering, how do young people in care know about your service?
John: Young people in care learn about EPIC mainly through professional referrals. We collaborate with agencies like TUSLA and residential providers to connect with young people, offering information sessions about our services. These include advocacy, youth engagement, and participation. Recently, we've expanded to provide specialized support for separated children in the northwest.
Adrian: In addition to advocacy, we offer opportunities for young people to connect through the "care community," develop skills through campaigns and training, and participate in youth councils. EPIC also collaborates with Community Law and Mediation (CLM) to provide legal advice to care-experienced young people, supported by TUSLA funding.
We also rely on our operations team, who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, even though they don’t interact directly with young people. Their hard work is crucial to our success.
Here’s a more concise summary of the challenges EPIC faces and the rewarding aspects of the work:
Challenges Faced by EPIC
John:
One of the main challenges is ensuring that young people, particularly in rural areas or foster placements, know that EPIC exists. While residential settings are easier to reach, rural areas are more difficult to engage with. Another challenge is ensuring young people receive information about our services during their care entry, as it can get lost during the trauma of entering care. Social media has helped, but many still don’t know what we do.
Adrian:
There are systemic barriers such as slow bureaucratic processes and funding constraints that make it difficult to implement changes. The lack of foster and residential placements also affects our ability to support young people fully. There's also a stigma around the care system that we need to address through awareness. Additionally, every care-experienced young person has unique needs, requiring personalized, sensitive support.
Shauna: Is there a way students can get involved with EPIC?
Adrian: While we take the privacy and safeguarding of young people seriously, and we don't currently have the resources to offer third-level student placements, we do provide information sessions for social care and social work students. These sessions allow students to learn about the work we do, and after gaining professional experience, they might be able to join us in advocacy roles.
Leah: What are the Most Rewarding Aspects of Working at EPIC?
John: The most rewarding aspect is seeing the growth and empowerment of young people over time. For example, a young woman I worked with for several years has gone from needing constant support to conducting meetings on her own and confidently advocating for herself. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness her transformation.
Adrian: The privilege of working with vulnerable young people, offering support when they need it most, is deeply rewarding. Our team shares a strong values base, focusing on respect, empathy, and patience, which makes every day working at EPIC meaningful. Being part of an organization that demonstrates such care and support is the most rewarding part of the job.
Shauna and Leah: Thank you so much for the Interview guys and we look forward to chatting again soon!