Episode 6| S2: Irish child welfare

Robbie Gilligan is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin. His path to professional social work began through voluntary youth work in inner city Dublin. His formative practice experience came from his first social work post in a largely rural community, followed by a post back in inner city Dublin. Since his transition to the academic world in 1981, his professional and scholarly interests have centered around marginalized young people with a special interest in young people growing up in state care. Across all service user groups, he believes that for social work to be effective and relevant it is vital that respects and taps into the capacity of the service user, their family and community resources, and the know-how of other professionals.