Workers providing services and supports to children and young people will be recognised in a new awards scheme announced today.
Established by the Children Acts Advisory Board (CAAB), the Awards for Services to Children and Young People scheme aims to encourage effective practice in the delivery of services provided under the Children Acts.
The scheme will acknowledge the individual and collaborative efforts of agencies. Categories include community, education, juvenile justice, residential care and inter-agency working.
Minister for Children, Brendan Smith announced the awards scheme today.
"The awards provide an opportunity to reward and acknowledge the many, many silent successes of individuals and teams working at the coalface with children, young people and their families, who up to now have not had this recognition nationally," said Mr Smith.
He encouraged all the key organisations to become involved.
The judging panel will include governor of Mountjoy prison John Lonergan, Rotimi Adebari, Lord Mayor of Portlaoise and childcare expert Richard Murphy.
PA