Scandal of child homelessness raised at local event

THE scandal of child homelessness was highlighted at an event held in Coolock last week.

As the amount of children who are homeless heads towards the 4,000 mark, Focus Ireland and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) launched a resource at St Joseph's National School, Bonnybrook, which aims to highlight the reality of homelessness and its impact on children’s education.

Speaking at the event, President of the INTO Feargal Brougham, from Raheny, said that as a newly qualified teacher working 30 years ago, he could never have foreseen that one day he would be launching a resource on primary school children’s homelessness.

“The idea that almost 4,000 children would be homeless was an alien one decades ago, it is a repugnant reality today,” said Mr Brougham. 

“This resource is both practical and accessible. The teacher’s voice comes through. Their demand: not only to assist in making school a haven for their pupils, but also in helping to put an end to this stain on our Republic.

“I call on the department to end its inertia on this topic and give schools the extra ring fenced resources and guidance they demand and need.

“The suggestions contained within this school resource will not suit every school context and may need to be adjusted to respond to the individual pupils in your school given your unique context.”

Mr Brougham added: “Additionally, the document is supplemented with an online resource which sets out some of the external agencies and supports which are available for families who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.”

Speaking about the resource and its wider impact, Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy Mike Allen said: “This resource will be of great assistance to teachers and principals in primary schools nationwide who are working to help many children and families who are facing homelessness.

“The damage it is causing to our children was again highlighted as over 2,250 children who are homeless went back to school nationwide. 

“There’s a real danger that these human stories – and these children – get lost behind the numbers.

“We know through our work supporting families that homelessness is very damaging to children.”

The guidance resource is for primary school teachers and principals who are supporting students and families who are homeless or at risk.

The document offers some practical suggestions about how schools can support pupils and sharing some good practice already happening in schools.

A recent survey by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network found that more than one in four primary schools across the State have children who are homeless and suffering from anxiety, poor self-esteem and exhaustion.

A survey of more than 1,000 school principals found that 27 per cent of primary schools have homeless children.

In a recent opinion column, written for Northside People, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy said: “As a country we must cherish all of our children equally and ensure no child suffers from being homeless for long periods of time. We must work towards ensuring every child has a place to call home.

“I am proud to say that Focus Ireland continues to develop realistic policy solutions to help end homelessness.

“We do this work through over 80 frontline services across the country and our commitment to building homes.”