Opportunity to join the Care Experienced Expert Panel

The Care Experiences Programme, Journeys through the Irish Care System is a research and data Programme that wants to learn more about the lives of children in care and adults who have been in care in Ireland. This includes anyone who has lived in foster care, relative foster care, residential care or special care because they could not live at home.

The Programme is run by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), together with Tusla, Child and Family Agency.

At the heart of the Programme is the Care Experienced Expert Panel (CEEP). This is a group of adults (over 18 years of age) who have lived in care. The panel helps the Care Experiences Programme Team to design research projects, making sure that the voices of children, young people, and adults with care experience are heard. The CEEP also act as champions for the Programme.

The Care Experienced Expert Panel is now open to new members.

If you have experience of being in care and are interested in becoming a member or if you would just like to hear more about the work of the Panel you are very welcome to join the webinar.

The webinars will take place on:

• Wednesday, 8th October 2025 at 19.00 - Register here

and

• Thursday 16th October 2025 at 13.00 - Register here

At the webinar, you’ll hear about:

• What the Care Experiences Programme is all about
• Why and how the CEEP was created, and meet some of the current members
• What work the CEEP has done so far
• Next steps if you want to join the CEEP.

There will also be time for your questions.

Who should attend?

• Adults with care experience
• Anyone supporting or working with care-experienced adults
• Policy makers and government representatives
• Interested researchers and academics

Please share this information with anyone who might be interested!

For more information, email careexperiences@dcde.gov.ie

If you’d like to talk to someone directly about the CEEP including current members, please email careexperiences@dcde.gov.ie and we will arrange it.

More information about the Care Experiences Programme is available here.