ifco2014 youth & children's programme

Youth & Children’s Programme

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20:00

09:00 - 10:30PLENARY SESSION I

Break

Lunch

11:00 - 12:30WORKSHOP SESSION I

13:45 - 15:30PLENARY SESSION II

19:00 - 21:00

Opening ceremony,welcome reception

12:00 - 18:00Arrival,

accommodation and registration

Break

Break Break

16:00 - 17:30WORKSHOP SESSION II

17:45 - 19:00IFCO Annual

General Meeting

20:00 - late

Gala Dinner

09:00 - 10:30PLENARY SESSION I

09:00 - 10:30PLENARY SESSION III

Lunch

11:00 - 12:30WORKSHOP SESSION III

13:45 - 15:30PLENARY SESSION IV

Break

16:00 - 17:30WORKSHOP SESSION IV

17:45 - 21:00Social

programme and

dinner

09:00 - 10:30WORKSHOP SESSION V

11:00 - 12:30NETWORKING EVENT /

WORKSHOP SESSION VI

Lunch

Break

Commute

14:00 - 16:00

Closing ceremony

TUESDAY, 26 AUGUST WEDNESDAY, 27 AUGUST THURSDAY, 28 AUGUST FRIDAY, 29 AUGUST

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4

Schedule at a Glance

3www.ifco.info I www.conference.ifco.info I Conference Programme

TUESDAY, 26 AUGUST 2014Day 1

12:00 – 18:00 Arrival, accommodation and registration Building B, Main Atrium, Registration / Information Desk

19:00 – 21:00 Opening ceremony with welcome receptionBuilding B, Main Auditorium, WIT Main Campus

WEDNESDAY, 27 AUGUST 2014Day 2

09:00 - 10:30 Introductions, overview and context of IFCOBuilding C, Room FTG23

Get2KnowULacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland)Réidín Dunne, Peter Lane and Joanna Seery, EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

10:30 – 11:00 BreakMain Atrium, WIT Main Campus

11:00 – 12:30 createXchange - Global Youth in Care Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Carrie Wilson, Claire Haymonds and Craig Anderson, Care Leavers Association (UK)

12:30 – 13:45 LunchThe Gallery Restaurant, WIT Main Campus

13:45 – 15:30 WORKSHOP SESSION IBuilding C, Room FTG23

My Journey so Far and the Next ChapterRéidín Dunne, Peter Lane and Joanna Seery, EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)


16:00 – 17:00 WORKSHOP SESSION IIBuilding C, Room FTG23

Fostered WarriorsRéidín Dunne, Peter Lane and Joanna Seery, EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

Youth Programme: EmpowerMEnt


THURSDAY, 28 AUGUST 2014Day 39:00 – 10:30

10:30 – 11:00

WORKSHOP SESSION IIIBuilding C, Room FTG23

Dramatic JourneyEPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)BreakMain Atrium, WIT Main Campus

11:00 – 12:30 WORKSHOP SESSION IVBuilding C, Room FTG23

“Nearest and Dearest in Children’s Lives in Child Protection”. Your Experience of Family Relationships in Child Protection?Sami Isoniemi, Waranyoo Ronkainen and Pipsa Vario, Pesäpuu ry (Finland)


13:45 – 15:30 WORKSHOP SESSION VBuilding C, Room FTG23 Global Youth in Care Network: Next StepLacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland)


16:00 – 17:00 WORKSHOP SESSION VIOutside / Building C, Room FTG23

The EPIC QuestEPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

17:00 – 17:30 Debrief I Building C, Room FTG23

Get2KnowU (Part 2)Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland), EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

17:45 – 19:00 IFCO Annual General Meeting Main Auditorium, WIT Main Campus

20:00 – late Gala DinnerTower Hotel


FRIDAY, 29 AUGUST 2014Day 49:00 – 10:30 WORKSHOP SESSION VII

College Street Campus, WIT

Preparation for presentation at the Conference Closing CeremonyLacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA), Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland), EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

10:30 – 11:00 Break

11:00 – 12:30 IFCO 2014 Youth Closing Ceremony College Street Campus, WIT

Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

12:30 – 14:00Lunch

14:00 – 16:00 IFCO 2014 Closing CeremonyThe Chapel, WIT College Street Campus

16:00 – 16:00Break

17:00 – 17:30 Debrief IIBuilding C, Room FTG23

Get2KnowU (Part 3)Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland)EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

17:30 – 22:00 Social programme and dinnerTrip to Tramore


TUESDAY, 26 AUGUST 2014Day 1

12:00 – 18:00 Arrival, accommodation and registration Building B, Main Atrium, Registration / Information Desk

19:00 – 21:00 Opening ceremony with welcome receptionBuilding B, Main Auditorium, WIT Main Campus


09:00 - 10:30 Introductions, overview and context of IFCOBuilding C, Room FTG23

Get2KnowULacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland)Réidín Dunne, Peter Lane and Joanna Seery, EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)


11:00 – 12:30 createXchange - Global Youth in Care Building C, Room FTG23

Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Carrie Wilson, Claire Haymonds and Craig Anderson, Care Leavers Association (UK)


13:45 – 15:30 WORKSHOP SESSION IBuilding C, Room FTG14

Development of an IFCO Position Paper: Life AfterCareLacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jessica Grimm, Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)


16:00 – 17:00 WORKSHOP SESSION IIBuilding C, Room FTG14

What Helps What Harms: A Global Policy Initiative Lead by Youth Advocates”Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jessica Grimm, Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)

Youth Programme: Advocacy


THURSDAY, 28 AUGUST 2014Day 39:00 – 10:30

10:30 – 11:00

WORKSHOP SESSION IIIBuilding C, Room FTG14

What Helps What Harms IFCO 2014: Hear Our Global Youth VoiceLacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jessica Grimm, Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)BreakMain Atrium, WIT Main Campus

11:00 – 12:30 WORKSHOP SESSION IVBuilding C, Room FTG14

“Bringing WHWH to Scale: How to Implement this Youth Led Initiative in Your Own Country”Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jessica Grimm, Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)


13:45 – 15:30 WORKSHOP SESSION VBuilding C, Room FTG23

Global Youth in Care Network: Next StepLacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland)


16:00 – 17:00 WORKSHOP SESSION VIOutside / Building C, Room FTG23

The EPIC QuestEPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

17:00 – 17:30 Debrief I Building C, Room FTG23

Get2KnowU (Part 2)Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland), EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

17:45 – 19:00 IFCO Annual General Meeting Main Auditorium, WIT Main Campus

20:00 – late Gala DinnerTower Hotel


FRIDAY, 29 AUGUST 2014Day 49:00 – 10:30 WORKSHOP SESSION VII

College Street Campus, WIT

Preparation for presentation at the Conference Closing CeremonyLacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA), Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland), EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

10:30 – 11:00 Break

11:00 – 12:30 IFCO 2014 Youth Closing Ceremony College Street Campus, WIT

Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

12:30 – 14:00Lunch

14:00 – 16:00 IFCO 2014 Closing CeremonyThe Chapel, WIT College Street Campus

16:00 – 16:00Break

17:00 – 17:30 Debrief IIBuilding C, Room FTG23

Get2KnowU (Part 3)Lacy Kendrick Burk, International Foster Care Organisation/Youth M.O.V.E. National (USA)Jean Anne Kennedy, International Foster Care Organisation (Ireland)EPIC – Empowering People in Care, (Ireland)

17:30 – 22:00 Social programme and dinnerTrip to Tramore


Workshop Abstracts

Building foundations as a group is very important. Our first session together will have an emphasis on name-games, having fun and setting out our intentions of how we will work together as a group. We will introduce IFCO and EPIC, and go through what youth can expect from the EmpowerMEnt track and the Advoacy track so they can choose which youth programme they want to participate in.

INTRODUCTIONS: EMPOWERMENT

Get2KnowU

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jean Anne KennedyOrganisation IFCOCountry IrelandCo-presenters Ms Réidín Dunne, Mr Peter

Lane and Ms Joanna SeeryOrganisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Wednesday, 27 August 2014Session 90-minute workshopTime 09:00-10:30

DAY 2 & ADVOCACY

createXchange - Global Youth in Care

The createXchange Global Youth in Care Network is an initiative started by care leavers and youth in care who are members of IFCO or who have attended IFCO youth programmes. It is a youth movement aiming to connect young people all over the world to learn, exchange and partner. Lacy will introduce createXchange and the Care Leavers Association from the UK will talk about what they do in their country to engage, support and empower care leavers.

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenters Ms Carrie Wilson, Ms Claire

Haymonds and Mr Craig Anderson

Organisation Care Leavers AssociationCountry UKWhen Wednesday, 27 August 2014Session 90-minute workshopTime 11:00-12:30


This session will be a creative session where young people are given the opportunity to make their own timelines. On their timelines young people will think about their journey so far – marking significant hobbies, interests, occasions and relationships and much using art materials to do so. The next chapter will involve writing a letter to their future selves – i.e. themselves in 1 year. This letter will be placed in a rocket shaped time capsule. The capsule will be opened at the 2015 IFCO conference. This is an exciting opportunity for young people to think about their journey into the future..

WORKSHOPS I & II: EMPOWERMENT

My Journey so Far and the Next Chapter

Presenters Ms Réidín Dunne, Mr Peter Lane and Ms Joanna Seery

Organisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Wednesday, 27 August 2014Session 105-minute workshopTime 13:45 – 15:30

DAY 2

Fostered Warriors

This session will be about Foster Care in Irish Myth, Legend and Folklore- Young people will learn about and the Irish Folk Hero Cú Chulainn to explore what an important part Foster Care played in Celtic/Tribal Ireland. Young people will also have the opportunity to talk about how foster care can be seen in the Folklore of many other countries across Europe.


Organisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Wednesday, 27 August 2014Session 60-minute workshopTime 16:00 – 17:00

This session lays the foundation for the Advocacy Track and outlines what a position paper is, and why the Youth Committee of IFCO thinks it’s so important that we have one outlining our stance on AfterCare for careleavers around the globe. As part of the foundation, we will receive training on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Alternative Care Guidelines, and other influential standards and documents. Participants will leave with a larger understanding of documents and policies which govern life AfterCare, and will have an indepth understanding of the goals and intentions of IFCO’s AfterCare Position Paper.

WORKSHOPS I & II: ADVOCACY

Development of an IFCO Position Paper: Life AfterCare

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/ Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jessica GrimmOrganisation Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USAWhen Wednesday, 27 August 2014Session 105-minute workshopTime 13:45 – 15:30

DAY 2

What Helps What Harms: A Global Policy Initiative Lead by Youth Advocates

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/ Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jessica GrimmOrganisation Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USAWhen Wednesday, 27 August 2014Session 60-minute workshopTime 16:00 – 17:00


DAY 3

This session will be a drama based workshop. It will be very interactive and a lot of fun. The theme of the drama workshop will be “Fostered Warriors” (to follow on from session 2). Young people will have the opportunity to create a piece of devised drama at the end of the session.

WORKSHOPS III & IV: EMPOWERMENT

Dramatic Journey


Organisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 90-minute workshopTime 09:00 – 10:30

Pesäpuu ry is a nationwide child welfare association bringing expertise for the public good. Our work is economically supported by the Slot Machine Association in Finland. The main goals in Pesäpuu is to hear children’s voices and make children visible in child welfare. We develop methods and concrete tools that help attain these goals.

In 2013 we started a new project called Lähemmäs (Closer). The main idea is the recognition that a child has a right to express who are the nearest and dearest people around him/her.

‘Nearest and dearest in children’s lives in child protection’. Your experience of family relationships in child protection?

Presenters Sami Isoniemi, Waranyoo Ronkainen and Pipsa Vario

Organisation Pesäpuu ryCountry FinlandWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 90-minute workshopTime 11:00 – 12:30

This session provides an overveiw of What Helps What Harms (WHWH), the impact it has had on young leaders all over America, the changes that have happened because of the WHWH initiative, and the organization that brought it all together (Youth MOVE). Led by the Executive Director of Youth MOVE, and the Youth Advocate who directs the WHWH project, participants will have an understanding of the WHWH Initiative, how this will be employed as one method of development for the IFCO AfterCare Position Paper, and the intentions of IFCO to utilize this method during the Advocacy track of the conference to develop an IFCO 2014 WHWH.

We set out this morning to get to know each other, to learn more about each other, our countries and our organisations. This workshop is a chance to check back in with both the EmpowerMEnt track and the Advocacy track and share your thoughts, feelings and what you learned at this conference so far.

DEBRIEF I: EMPOWERMENT & ADVOCACY

Get2KnowU (Part 2)

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/ Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jean Anne KennedyOrganisation IFCO

Country IrelandCo-presenters Ms Réidín Dunne, Mr Peter

Lane and Ms Joanna SeerOrganisation EPICCountry Ireland

When Wednesday, 27 August 2014Session 30-minute debrief and

evaluationTime 17:00 – 17:30

DAY 2


The aim is to get involved the close people in the child’s life in all steps of child welfare procedures. Also our aim is to challenge the authorities to see the people around the child as a positive resource when they prove to be such.

The Survivors team in Pesäpuu is a national focus group of young people of ages 18-28 with personal experience of alternative care. Now they develop child welfare as experts of experience. Lähemmäs and Survivors team have worked together to explore the relationships in children’s lives. The Survivors team has focused on working with young people, and Lähemmäs with professionals, parents, relatives and people close to a child.

In this workshop we will hear and see multiple messages of children and young people, parents, relatives and professionals talking, describing and writing about family relationships. We will also see and test some professional tools for exploring and strengthening of the relationships of children and people close to them.

Come to work with us and consider changing relationships and the nearest and dearest people around children in child protection!

DAY 3

This session will be a drama based workshop. It will be very interactive and a lot of fun. The theme of the drama workshop will be “Fostered Warriors” (to follow on from session 2). Young people will have the opportunity to create a piece of devised drama at the end of the session.

WORKSHOPS III & IV: ADVOCACY

What Helps What Harms IFCO 2014: Hear Our Global Youth Voice

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/ Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jessica GrimmOrganisation Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USAWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 90-minute workshopTime 09:00 – 10:30

Led by IFCO Board Member and Youth Committee Chair Lacy Kendrick Burk, this session centers around replication of the WHWH process and document development that occurred in Session 3. Participants will have the chance to design a plan to implement WHWH in their own country, have active dialogue on the powerful impact they can each make, and troubleshoot in advance with the creator of the WHWH project. Participants will leave with a plan of action for WHWH implementation in their own country, and for participation in the continued development of the Global IFCO AfterCare Position Paper.

Bringing WHWH to Scale: How to Implement this Youth Led Initiative in Your Own Country

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/ Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jessica GrimmOrganisation Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USAWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 90-minute workshopTime 09:00 – 10:30


DAY 3

Lacy Kendrick Burk and Jean Anne Kennedy are board members of the IFCO (International Foster Care Organisation) and lead the createXchange Global Youth in Care Network. Every year, we create opportunities for youth at IFCO events to be consulted on what createXchange should focus on. This workshop will be showcasing what our members have been involved in over the last 2 years since createXchange was launched and to decide what this group of young people think the next steps of growing this youth network should be.

WORKSHOPS V & VI: EMPOWERMENT & ADVOCACYGlobal Youth in Care Network

Presenters Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jean Anne KennedyOrganisation IFCOCountry IrelandWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 105-minute workshopTime 13:45 – 15:30

The EPIC Quest

This session will be an outdoor activity based session where the young people will work together in teams in order to complete a treasure hunt. This session will be a session filled with action and adventure!


Organisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 60-minute fun activityTime 06:00 – 17:30

Over the last two days together we have formed friendships and alliances, used our voices to make decisions and learned about other countries, other cultures and other organisations. We will check back in again with both the EmpowerMEnt track and the Advocacy track and share our thoughts, feelings and what you learned at this conference so far.

DEBRIEF II: EMPOWERMENT & ADVOCACY

Get2KnowU (Part 3)

Presenter Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/ Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jean Anne KennedyOrganisation IFCO

Country IrelandCo-presenters Ms Réidín Dunne, Mr Peter

Lane and Ms Joanna SeerOrganisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 30-minute debrief and

evaluationTime 17:00 – 17:30

DAY 3


Using all the workshops and sessions of IFCO2014 as possible resources, both youth programmes will prepare some sort of presentation to the Conference Closing Ceremony later today. There is no limit to how or what the youth create and say. They will plan what they want the other delegates at this conference to know or hear about based on what they learned, what they shared and who they are as young people involved in care systems.

WORKSHOP VII: EMPOWERMENT & ADVOCACYPreparation for Presentation at the Conference Closing Ceremony

Presenters Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jean Anne KennedyOrganisation IFCOCountry IrelandCo-presenters Ms Réidín Dunne, Mr Peter

Lane and Ms Joanna SeeryOrganisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 90-minute preparation Time 09:00 – 10:30

DAY 4

As our final activity together, we will reflect on our experiences together and individually, and evaluate the IFCO2014 programme as a whole. We will celebrate each other and what we have achieved together and look forward to returning home. It will be another chance to share our feelings, lessons and experiences formally and informally.

IFCO 2014 YOUTH CLOSING CEREMONY Youth Evaluation and Closing Ceremony

Presenters Ms Lacy Kendrick BurkOrganisation IFCO/Youth M.O.V.E. NationalCountry USACo-presenter Ms Jean Anne KennedyOrganisation IFCOCountry IrelandCo-presenters Ms Réidín Dunne, Mr Peter

Lane and Ms Joanna SeeryOrganisation EPICCountry IrelandWhen Thursday, 28 August 2014Session 90-minute preparation Time 11:00 – 12:30

DAY 4


Children’s Programme


09:00 - 10:30 Creative workshop for children in both age groups (led by Helen Arthur and volunteers) Building C , FTG Rooms, WIT Main Campus

This will involve:• interactive games• artwork, music• drama • movement activities

10:30 - 11:00BreakBuilding B, Main Atrium, WIT Main Campus

Creative workshop for children in both age groups (led by Helen Arthur and volunteers) Building C , FTG Rooms


12:30 - 13:45 Lunch with parents /guardiansBuilding D, the Gallery Restaurant, WIT Main Campus

14:00 - 17:30 Hurling demonstration Building C , FTG Rooms, WIT Main CampusEveryone will have a chance to have a go!

Teddy bear’s picnic Building C , FTG Rooms, WIT Main CampusTime to meet your foster Teddy! One for each child.

Storytelling session Building C , FTG Rooms, WIT Main Campus• eco-fairy tails and• stories with an environmental twist

20:00 to 23:00 Entertainment with a surprise guest at the gala dinner The Tower HotelQuiet supervised activities will be available also.

The Children’s programme has been kindly sponsored by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs


THURSDAY, 28 AUGUSTDay 3







14:00 - 17:30 Visit to Dunmore East Adventure centre • water based activities such as Sea Kayaking, and ‘Wibet Wipeout’ are on

offer for the children• land based activities such as archery and climbing can also be undertaken

at the centre

Visit to the park in picturesque Dunmore East if the weather and time allow

A bus will be available to take the group to Dunmore East which is a pretty fishing Village approximately 12km from Waterford. The children will be accompanied by IFCO volunteers at all times.

The Dunmore East Adventure centre offers a range of activities for young people of all ages, it provides wet suits, helmets and tuition for the children from experienced staff. You may bring your own wetsuit if you wish.

For the Thursday afternoon activity you need to bring:• Swimming Togs/suit• Towel• Aqua Shoes/ Booties (available to purchase at the Adventure Centre), or old runners/trainers

you don’t mind getting wet


FRIDAY, 29 AUGUSTDay 4







14:00 - 17:30 Celebration of the childrens’ work at the closing ceremony

Important: This programme is subject to change due to weather conditions and numbers of participants.


Creative Workshops for Children

mornings of the conference will be presented at the closing ceremony so that all attendees might have an opportunity to share in their creative journey.

Helen is a lecturer in Social Care and Early Childhood Studies at Waterford Institute of Technology. She is a trained Music Therapist and Humanistic Integrative Counsellor and has considerable experience of working creatively with families, adults, adolescents and children in a variety of settings. Helen actively pursues her own creative interests and greatly enjoys shared music making, drumming, storytelling, dancing, art and craft. She is looking forward to meeting you and your children at the conference and creating a space for them to explore their creativity.

Talented Ms Helen Arthur will be a facilitator of the morning creative sessions for children. These workshops will provide a safe space in which children will be supported to explore the themes of identity, belonging and family in fun and creative ways.

Children will be facilitated in getting to know each other through interactive games before moving into artwork, music, drama and movement activities to explore the chosen themes. Workshops will be facilitated in a light-hearted and sensitive way with the intention of enabling all children to find their voice and share their thoughts and feelings. A celebration of work done by children over the three

• Our programme will run from 09:00 to 17:30 for children aged five years to thirteen years. We will have a break for lunch from 12:30 to 13:45, during which the children will be collected by their parents and guardians. We will provide entertainment for the children during the gala dinner 21:00 to 23:00 also.

• Our session rooms will be conveniently located near the conference session rooms.• There are two age groupings Group 1: 5-9 years Group 2: 10-13 years.

• Registered children will be signed in and out of the session rooms by a parent or guardian. Children will be supervised at all times during the hours of the childcare programme by IFCO childcare programme volunteers.

• Our volunteers will be fully Garda (police) vetted and adhere to the Children’s First Guidelines (2011)1.

• Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided for the children each day mid-morning and mid -afternoon.

• Please make sure children are wearing practical comfortable clothing so that children can move freely and get messy! We aim to have fun.

• We will contact a parent/guardian immediately if a child is unwell or wishes to be reunited with a carer.

• The highlight of our programme will be a celebration of the childrens’ work from the creative morning sessions at the closing ceremony.

1 Children First Guidance: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children was published in July 2011. The Guidance sets out a number of key messages relating to the duty to protect children. Among these are that the safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, that children will have safer lives where everyone is attentive to their wellbeing and that people who work with children across a range of areas understand their responsibility for safe practice and the reporting of concerns. It provides greater clar-ity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect and sets out specific protocols for Social Workers in the Child and Family Agency, Gardaí and other front line staff in dealing with suspected abuse

and neglect of children (Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2014).

Practical aspects of the Children’s programme

www.ifco.info I www.conference.ifco.info I Conference Programme

Practical aspects of the Children’s programme

Tourism and Leisure Building

- All w

orkshops - N

etworking event

Main Building- R

egistration - E

xhibitions area- Tea and coffee breaks - M

ain Auditorium

(Plenary venue)

- Quiet room

s

FTG Rooms

- Children and Youth P

rogramm

es- Youth hangout room

The Gallery Restaurant - Venue for lunch for all delegates

Luke Wadding Library (the side of it)

- Bus pick-up and drop-off point

for delegates staying at theW

IT Manor V

illage / Tower H

otel

WIT College Fields

- On-site W

IT Accom

modation

for delegates

Car Park

ifco2014 youth & children's programme

Documents