Profile Summary
Dr Caroline Duignan is a social worker, educator and researcher with nearly three decades of experience across frontline, policy and strategic child and family services in Ireland.
Her practice is grounded in children's rights and participation, with specialist expertise in child protection, family welfare, collaborative practice and the development of child-centred services. Caroline brings to her Guardian ad Litem work a career built on hearing children — including those who are seldom heard — and on designing services that respond to their lived experiences.
Caroline has worked with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality as facilitator of the Care Experienced Expert Panel, established following a recommendation of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, commonly known as the Ryan Report.
Current Profile Areas
Qualifications
- 2015-2023PhD in Child & Youth Research, National University of Ireland, Galway.
- 2003-2005Diploma in Training & Education, National University of Ireland, Galway.
- 1994-1996Masters in Social Work (NQSW), University College Dublin.
- 1991-1994Bachelor of Social Science, University College Dublin.
Career History
- 2025-presentGALLORE Guardian ad Litem.
- 2014-2025CYPSC Coordinator Roscommon, Tusla Child and Family Agency.
- 2011-2014Training Officer, Irish Association of Social Workers.
- 2002-2014Training Officer, Learning & Development, HSE West Child Care Unit.
- 1997-2002Social Worker - Child Protection & Family Support, North Western Health Board.
Guardian ad Litem and Advocacy Work
Caroline brings to her Guardian ad Litem practice deep experience in child protection, statutory assessment, court reporting, care planning and interagency collaboration, accumulated across nearly three decades of frontline and strategic practice.
Her advocacy is shaped by a steadfast commitment to children's rights, participation and welfare, and by a conviction that children and young people must be heard in ways that are meaningful, inclusive and sensitive to their development.
- Experienced in Section 20, Section 23 and Section 36 assessments.
- Skilled in statutory assessments, court reporting, care planning and collaborative professional practice.
- Strong background supporting vulnerable children and families in crisis and care settings.
Research, Training and Collaboration
Caroline has led national training programmes for social workers and An Garda Síochána, developed practice-based education modules for newly qualified social workers, and contributed to multidisciplinary training strategies developed in response to national childcare inquiries.
Her doctoral research examined the dynamics of power, leadership and strategic collaboration in children's services, producing a preliminary framework for improved cross-sectoral working. Caroline has presented her research at national and European conferences and has contributed to peer-reviewed academic publication.
- Delivered Children First training to social workers and Gardai.
- Developed and delivered national training programmes for Tusla.
- Designed the first practice-based training module for newly qualified social workers.
- Guest lectured in child protection and family welfare at third-level institutions.
- Conducted national research using survey and interview methods, with SPSS and NVivo for data analysis.
- Presented research at national and European conferences.
Participation and Strategic Service Development
From 2014 to 2025, Caroline coordinated Children and Young People's Services Committees work in Roscommon, leading strategic cross-agency planning to improve outcomes for children and young people across the county.
She designed an original consultation model to amplify the voices of seldom-heard children and young people. This work was showcased internationally at Eurochild and Council of Europe conferences.
- Developed strategic plans and participatory models for engaging seldom-heard children.
- Secured and managed funding for Roma, LGBTIQ+ and young carer initiatives.
- Managed multidisciplinary teams delivering targeted supports to vulnerable children and young people in Roscommon.
- Experienced in HR management, funding allocation and service-level agreements.
- Recognised with multiple Tusla Excellence Awards for innovation, integrity and impact.
Community Practice and Professional Contribution
- Provided bereavement and developmental support in paediatric hospital settings.
- Over twelve years' experience in adult education and workforce development.
- Advocate for localised supports and improved services for marginalised young people.
- Volunteer leader with Foroige and chairperson of a youth project and community centre.
- Contributor to ChildLinks and Children's Research Digest publications.
- Co-authoring academic articles on collaborative practice.
Contact Caroline
For enquiries connected to Caroline's work with HAPii, email Caroline directly.
Email Caroline