Addressing Cultural Barriers
Some communities and schools may display higher levels of school absence and place different values on educational achievement. It is important to be aware of the cultural implications of working with a migrant community, such as the Roma or Traveller community.
When working with a child from a migrant or Traveller community, further research may be needed to understand the place of education in this child’s family and home life. It might be necessary to connect with either a community link worker or a trusted peer of the family or child for translation purposes.
Additional Resources
Yellow Flag Resources
The Yellow Flag Programme provides a practical series of eight steps that bring issues of interculturalism, equality, and diversity into the whole-school programme and allows schools to apply them to the day-to-day running of the school. It works with students, staff, management, parents/guardians, and wider community groups so that diversity and equality are not merely seen as ‘school subjects’ but are understood and incorporated into everyone’s personal lives.
Pavee Point Resources
Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre is a national non-governmental organisation comprising Travellers, Roma, and members of the majority population working in partnership at national, regional, local, and international levels.
Cultural Awareness Training
South Dublin County Childcare Committee (SDCCC) facilitates several workshops for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Programmes. The most recent is the ‘Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Charter Training Programme’. The training aligns with the AIM (Access and Inclusion) model.
For further information on upcoming dates for this training, contact the SDCCC at info@southdublinchildcare.ie.
South Dublin County Partnership and Crosscare also have Roma and Traveller supports. More information is available here:
Roma Supports:
Phone: 086 0748535
Email: galina.negru@sdcpartnership.ie
Address: South Dublin County Partnership, County Hall, Block 3, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Traveller Supports:
Phone: 01 461 0562
Email: accounts@tallaghttravellersdcp.com or patricknevin@tallaghttravellerscdp.com
Address: Tallaght Traveller Community Development Project, Brookfield Court, Brookfield Rd, Jobstown, Dublin 24, Ireland
Crosscare Traveller Youth Service:
Phone: 086 130 4626
Email: tlanigan@crosscare.ie
Address: Presbytery 2 St Thomas The Apostle Church Grounds, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24