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The TARA Project - Trauma, Attachment, Resilience into Action

The TARA Project is a research partnership between Dublin South Central (DSC), TUSLA, Child and Family Agency and University College Cork.

TARA stands for Trauma, Attachment, Resilience into Action, a practice model that has been developed to promote how to embed and realize the principles of trauma-informed care into tangible concrete practices.

The overarching aim of this partnership is to integrate trauma-informed practices (TIPs) in the DSC Area, Tusla, to support responding to the complex needs of, and improve outcomes for the children and families who come into contact with the service.

Phase 1 focused on staff training and development through a UCC-based programme to support staff in developing a shared understanding and approach, and to produce champions. Phase 2 focuses on how to embed TIPs into existing processes and practices in DSC in collaboration with the champions and assesses the impact on practice and clients.

Latest News

New article on understanding the experience of trauma through the TARA Practice Model

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: https://doi.org/10.1002/car.70130

Read on onlinelibrary.wiley.com

New article on Building capacity for Barnahus Ireland

New article on Building capacity for Barnahus Ireland

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: Building capacity for Barnahus Ireland: Development of Trauma-informed care, Child advocacy and Participation training for professionals - ScienceDirect

Read on sciencedirect.com

New Research Published Today: Advancing Trauma‑Informed Education in Child Welfare

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: https://doi.org/10.1002/car.70101 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.

Read on onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ucc.idm.oclc.org

The Practice Initiatives Showcase Event in the DSC area

On Dec. 12th, 2025 in Dublin the TARA Project, a research partnership between Dublin South Central (DSC), TUSLA (Child and Family Agency) and University College Cork, celebrted a major milestone with The Practice Initiatives Showcase Event held in the DSC area. TARA Project Showcases Trauma-Informed Practice Initiatives in Dublin South Central | University College Cork

School of Applied Social Studies

William Thompson House, Donovan's Road, Cork, Ireland, T12 V129

appsocialstudies@ucc.ie
tel:+353 (0)21 490 2228
Dr Maria Lotty, TARA Project Principal Investigator
Dr Aoife Price, TARA Project Post Doctoral Researcher

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