On 13th May 2026, the research report for the Green Zone School Project was launched in Dublin. The Project evaluated the impact of trauma-informed practices (TIPs) in a DEIS Band 1 primary school in Dublin in 2025.
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Launch of Green Zone School Project Report
03 Jun 2026
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A new peer-reviewed article has been published in Child Care in Practice. The study explores pupils’ experiences of trauma-informed practices (TIPs) implemented in an Irish DEIS primary school as part of the Green Zone School Project.
The article, titled "Children’s Voices on Trauma-informed practices: A Photovoice Study in an Irish Primary School" is authored by Maria Lotty and Eithne Nic Dhomhnaill, and is available at: .
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A new peer-reviewed article has been published in Child Abuse Review, using a residential care case study to illustrate how the TARA Practice Model guides collaborative, attuned and resilience-focused responses to complex trauma. Key learnings highlight mentalising development, the role of the physical environment and the importance of reflective supervision in sustaining trauma-informed cultures.
The study, titled "Understanding the Experience of Trauma: Insights From the TARA Practice Model", is authored by Maria Lotty, Maura O'Donoghue, Laura O'Halloran, and Aoife Price and appears in Child Abuse Review, Volume 35, Issue 3 (Article e70130), available at:
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A new peer‑reviewed article has been published in Child Protection and Practice. The study, titled "Building capacity for Barnahus Ireland: Development of Trauma-informed care, Child advocacy and Participation training for professionals", is authored by Dr Maria Lotty, Blathanid McCabe, Dr Rosaleen McElvaney and Eimear Lacey.
Available at:
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A new peer‑reviewed article has been published today in Child Abuse Review, highlighting the important contribution to the growing field of trauma‑informed practice within child welfare systems the TARA Project has made.
The study, titled “Child Welfare Professional Education in Trauma‑Informed Care: A Mixed‑Methods Evaluation Study”, is authored by Maria Lotty, Margarita Frederico, Noreen Kearns, and Tadgh O’Shea and appears in Child Abuse Review, Volume 35, Issue 1 (Article e70101), available at:
A Significant Step Forward for the Child Welfare Workforce
This newly released research evaluates an educational programme designed to strengthen trauma‑informed knowledge and practice among child welfare professionals. Grounded in a mixed‑methods approach, the study explores how university professional education can enhance practitioners’ capacity to understand, respond to, and support children and families affected by trauma.
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The Practice Initiatives Showcase Event in the DSC area
12 Dec 2025
On Dec. 12th, 2025 in Dublin the TARA Project, a research partnership between Dublin South Central (DSC), TUSLA (Child and Family Agency) and ÉîÒ¹ÑÇÖÞ¸£Àû¾Ã¾Ã College Cork, celebrted a major milestone with The Practice Initiatives Showcase Event held in the DSC area.
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10th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference
24 Oct 2025
On the 24th of October 2025 Dr Maria Lotty (UCC), Lisa McCormack (TUSLA), Niamh Campbell (TUSLA) and Dylan Stanley (TUSLA) presented at the 10th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, which took place in UCC
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Research Dialogue Seminar – Crossing Disciplines and Specialisms
28 Feb 2025
On 28 Feb 2025, Maria Lotty and Aoife Price presented and sought feedback from discussants, including Róisín O'Gorman (Theatre, UCC), Michelle Bergin (Occupational Therapy, UCC), Finola McCarthy (ACE, UCC), Sheena McHugh (Epidemiology and Public Health, UCC). The presentation titled 'Transforming Child Welfare Practices: Exploring Co-creation methodological approaches for the TARA Project, Phase 2' centred around the ongoing work regarding the methodological approach and framework guiding the study. Click read more for a summary of the discussion and feedback gathered on the day.
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Parchment ceremony for the graduates
12 Feb 2024
On February 12th 2024 a parchment ceremony for the graduates of the CPD in Trauma-informed Care Programme took place in the Aula Maxima, UCC. A total of 35 graduates from across the Dublin South Central Area of TUSLA Child and Family Agency were awarded a Certificate in Continuing Professional Development in Trauma-informed Care: Theory and Practice. The graduates represented a range of disciplines including: Social Work, Social Care, and Family Support, and are currently working across a diverse level of responsibilities including frontline practitioner, middle and senior management roles.
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