About the Child & Family Research Centre (CFRC)

The Centre, formerly known as the Child and Family Research & Policy Unit, evolved in response to the increasing demand for services for child welfare that deliver the best outcomes for children.
In 2007, the CFRC, with support from The Atlantic Philanthropies, embarked on a new phase of development to increase its capacity to work with a broad spectrum of researchers, policy makers and service providers for children and families.

The CFRC works in collaboration with national and international centres of excellence for child and family welfare and offers a range of research and evaluation expertiseto public, private and voluntary organisations. President of Ireland, Mary McAleese officially launched the Centre on September 7, 2007.

Family Support

Underpinning the CFRC vision and objectives is a commitment to research and evaluation on Family Support as a broad based policy and services paradigm, Family Support  oriented policies and services;

• Strengthen family, friends and community support networks (SOCIAL SUPPORT)
• Emphasise children’s and families strengths as a resource for addressing the problems they face(RESILIENCE)
• Are attentive to the wider environment in which the child and family live (SOCIAL ECOLOGY)
• Demand intervention that is needs-based, flexible, accessible, delivered in partnership and promotes social inclusion (PRACTICE).

The CRFC is widely recognised as being the forefront of research, education and training in Family Support and collaborates extensively with centres of excellence at universities and research units, NGOs, and agencies nationally and internationally.

Additionally, through the delivery of a Higher Diploma/MA in Family Support Studies and a PhD Programme, the Centreis at the forefront of education and training in the field of Family Support.