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tigala.bsky.social
@tigala.bsky.social
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tigala.bsky.social
GAL Nikki McCarthy’s top resources for supporting children in care:

✅ Nurturing Attachments
✅ Beacon House explainers
✅ The PACE model

She also shares how DDP shapes her work in our latest video 👉: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#TIGALA #DDP #PACEModel #KimGolding #BeaconHouse
December 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
tigala.bsky.social
When a child lashes out or shuts down, there’s always more beneath the surface. GAL Nikki McCarthy explains how DDP and the PACE approach help us respond with connection instead of correction:

• Why empathy matters
• How PACE builds trust
• Everyday DDP in practice

🔗 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
December 10, 2025 at 7:28 AM
tigala.bsky.social
We’re exploring how the PACE model helps foster carers (and parents) move from conflict to connection with a child in their care. It’s not about dropping boundaries, it’s about holding them with empathy even when the answer is "no." ❤️

Read more: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#GAL #GuardianAdLItem
December 8, 2025 at 8:07 AM
tigala.bsky.social
Everyday boundaries don't have to be battlegrounds. 🛡️In our new blog, GAL Nikki McCarthy breaks down the PACE model for connecting with children: 🧸 Playfulness 🤗 Acceptance 🙋🏻‍♀️ Curiosity 💙 Empathy

See how to use "gentle boundaries" to build trust + lessen conflict: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
December 4, 2025 at 5:49 PM
tigala.bsky.social
Family visits aren’t just about showing up. They’re about feeling safe and seen.

In our latest video, TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem Nikki McCarthy shares how trauma-informed, attachment-aware practice can make access visits less distressing and more healing.

🎥 Watch now: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
November 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM
tigala.bsky.social
TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem Nikki McCarthy shares how #TraumaInformed, attachment-aware approaches can transform emotionally charged contact into a space for repair.

“You have parents coming with broken hearts… and children coming upset and angry.”

👉 Watch it here: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#GAL
November 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
tigala.bsky.social
“They come into a new environment and they're asked to make relationships with this new family. That’s very tricky.”

For children in care, trust doesn’t come easy. In our latest video, #TIGALA #GAL Nikki McCarthy shares how #attachment theory informs her practice:

👉 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
November 12, 2025 at 11:13 AM
tigala.bsky.social
Strong advocacy begins with strong relationships.

TIGALA Guardian ad Litem Nikki McCarthy on why attachment isn’t just theory – it’s essential to how we show up for children in care:
🔗 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem #Attachment
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM
tigala.bsky.social
"If a child has a good relationship that they feel safe and comfortable in, the difference it makes is phenomenal."

TIGALA GAL Nikki McCarthy sheds some light on how attachment thinking shapes her advocacy. Watch the video here:
📎 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
#TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem #Attachment
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
tigala.bsky.social
Showing up matters.
Staying matters even more.

In this post, TIGALA Guardian ad Litem Nikki McCarthy shares what it means to hold the thread through a young person’s entire care journey.

👉 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
#TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem #GAL #ChildAdvoacy #Consistency
October 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM
tigala.bsky.social
“She comes to me to try to understand what’s happened in her life…”

TIGALA #GAL Nikki McCarthy reflects on the power of consistent relationships with young people in care – and how they lead to better outcomes + stronger advocacy.

📖 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem
October 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
tigala.bsky.social
How do TIGALA Guardians ad Litem deliver hard truths with empathy?

Through #RadicalCandour → challenge directly, care personally.

#GAL Val Kerr shares how monthly CPD, peer mentorship, and direct, compassionate communications shape TIGALA’s approach:

👉 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
October 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
tigala.bsky.social
🧸 “I realised pretty quickly that I didn’t fully understand the language of children and how to communicate with them separate to talking with them.”

That insight led Davina Reidy to train in creative therapies like play therapy and EMDR to strengthen her advocacy.

Learn more: 👉 buff.ly/mITyfOK
September 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
tigala.bsky.social
🎓 From Social Science to EMDR, Davina Reidy’s practice as a #GuardianAdLitem is rooted in meeting children where they are.

In this latest video, she shares how child-friendly communication and trauma-informed training shapes her work as a #GAL at #TIGALA.

👉 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
September 22, 2025 at 3:27 PM
tigala.bsky.social
How does a child learn they’ve a Guardian ad Litem?
Judge appoints → Tusla/social worker informs GAL & foster carer → GAL meets the child and explains their role in plain language.
Watch the video for more: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
September 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
tigala.bsky.social
What makes an exceptional #GuardianAdLitem?

At TIGALA, it’s about shared values and consistent standards:

🤝 Collaboration
🗣️ Communication
✍️ Written advocacy
❤️ Compassion
🧠 Child protection expertise
👧🏻 Experience with children and families

🔗 tigala.ie/blog/under-aegis-core-pillars-tigala

#GAL
September 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
tigala.bsky.social
‘It’s all about human interaction… it doesn’t have to be so formal.’

Using formal, legal language can build barriers—for children, parents and carers. TIGALA GAL Karen Rogers explains how simple language helps everyone feel more comfortable + informed. Watch the video: www.tigala.ie//blog/under-...
August 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
tigala.bsky.social
“Do I have to go to court?” is one of the first questions children ask.

The answer: no, not unless they want to. GALs go on their behalf, speaking for the child in the courtroom so that the child can focus on what children do best.

Watch the video here: tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#GuardianAdLitem
August 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
tigala.bsky.social
Who supports Guardian ad Litems? At TIGALA, peer support is key. In this video, Francis O’Callaghan explains how connecting with other Guardians enhances child advocacy for GALs at TIGALA. 👉 Watch & read the blog: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...
August 8, 2025 at 10:13 AM
tigala.bsky.social
Being a Guardian ad Litem with TIGALA means having a strong support network. Francis O'Callaghan highlights how peer support, training, and camaraderie make a difference, especially on tough days. Watch the video to learn more: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a... #GuardianAdLitem #GAL #PeerSupport
Under the Aegis: Connection, Independence and the Benefits of Working with TIGALA | TIGALA
TIGALA Guardian ad Litem Francis O’Callaghan reflects on the surprising joys of the role, the importance of independence, and how connection and support within TIGALA help Guardians navigate the…
www.tigala.ie
July 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
tigala.bsky.social
"Will and preference aren’t just part of the process. They are at the very heart of it.”

TIGALA Guardian ad Litem Davina Reidy shares why listening to a child’s voice must guide every Guardian’s advocacy:

Watch the full video here 👉 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem #GAL
July 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
tigala.bsky.social
Nikki McCarthy’s path to becoming a Guardian ad Litem was shaped by every role along the way.

In our latest video, she reflects on which roles prepared her the most to become a GAL – and why it matters.
🎥 www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem #LivedExperience #ChildWelfare
May 26, 2025 at 6:19 AM
tigala.bsky.social
👩🏻‍💼 “You get to see what it’s actually like for a young person living in care.”

TIGALA's Nikki McCarthy reflects on the journey that shaped her practice as a Guardian ad Litem – from residential care to frontline social work.

Watch: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#TIGALA #GAL #LivedExperience
May 21, 2025 at 10:13 AM
tigala.bsky.social
How do we support Guardians ad Litem to provide the highest standard of advocacy?

By developing clear, consistent Policies & Standards – led by TIGALA Guardian Francis O’Callaghan.

🎥 Watch here: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a...

#TIGALA #GuardianAdLitem #ChildProtection #Advocacy
May 6, 2025 at 6:23 AM
tigala.bsky.social
In our latest video, Francis O’Callaghan shares why becoming a #GuardianAdLitem was life-changing. Now, taking on the role of developing #Policies and #Standards at #TIGALA, he's influencing how Guardians operate in #Ireland. Watch the video here: www.tigala.ie/blog/under-a... #GAL #ChildAdvocacy
April 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM