• Launch of the TARA Project Phase 2 and 3 Report

  23 Oct 2026
  

  The TARA Project Research Report (Phases 2 and 3), Co-creation, feasibility and evaluation of trauma-informed approaches in child protection and welfare, was launched in Dublin on 23 October 2026. The full report is available to read at: TARA Project Phase 2 and 3 Report.

  The event celebrated four years of research partnership between Tusla, Child and Family Agency, and University College Cork (UCC), highlighting the development and evaluation of practical approaches to support trauma-informed practice in child protection and welfare services.

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• New article on the TARA Phase 2 cluster group processes

  19 Aug 2026
  

  A new peer-reviewed article has been published in Children and Youth Services Review, focusing on how trauma-informed practice initiatives were co-created with child welfare professionals through cluster groups during Phase 2 of the TARA Project. The findings have significant implications for the design, governance, and resourcing of participatory practice-development initiatives in child welfare settings nationally and internationally.

  The study, titled "Translating trauma-informed knowledge into child welfare practice: findings from a participatory practice development initiative" is authored by Aoife Price, Maria Lotty, Margarita Frederico, and Finola McCarthy, and is available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.109220.

  Read on sciencedirect.com

• Launch of Green Zone School Project Report

  03 Jun 2026
  

  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.

  Read on ucc.ie

• New article exploring pupils' experiences of trauma-informed practices

  03 Jun 2026
  

  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: Full article: Children’s Voices on Trauma-informed practices: A Photovoice Study in an Irish Primary School.

  Read on tandfonline.com

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

  12 May 2026
  

  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

  26 Mar 2026
  

  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

  30 Jan 2026
  

  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

  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 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

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• 10th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference

  24 Oct 2025
  

  On the 24^th 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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A selection of images from the TARA parchment ceremony