About
What Happens At Barnahus?
At Barnahus, the focus is on ensuring that children who may have experienced sexual abuse receive the right help at the right time. The Barnahus approach is child-centred, recognising that sexual abuse affects children and their families in various ways. Families often need guidance through complex systems, unsure of where to find the right support. At Barnahus, we bridge that gap, ensuring children and young people receive coordinated interagency assistance. This is achieved by co-locating essential services together, with four “rooms”, and where professionals work together in a multi-agency team to support families.
The Barnahus
Four Rooms
Protecting Children
When someone raises a concern about the safety and welfare of a child, including abuse or neglect, Tusla's job is to work with children, young people, and families to make sure they are safe and well cared for. It is important that children, young people, and families have an opportunity to talk about their worries and what they would like to see happen to keep the child safe. After speaking with the parent or caregiver, the child, and the important people in their life, Tusla will come up with a plan to keep the child and other children safe.
Criminal Investigation
As part of the evidence collection process and when a child feels ready to speak about what has happened, they can meet with specially trained interviewers. These interviewers are Social Workers from Tusla and CHI and Gardaí who work together in pairs. Specialist interviewers are highly trained to gather the best evidence when speaking with children. The evidence the child gives will be recorded and may be used in court.
Medical Room
Some children who come to Barnahus will require a medical examination. The team offer both medical and forensic medical examinations. The purpose of an examination will be discussed with the parent or caregiver, and decisions can be made about what is in the child's best interest. A medical examination may be helpful for the purposes of wellbeing, investigation, and recovery. Forensic examination can provide very important physical evidence to the court. Supportive, specially trained doctors and nurses from CHI, HSE or SATU carry out these child-friendly medical examinations when it is agreed to be in the child’s best interest.
Therapy Room
We know that protective caregivers have an important role in helping their child. We will support parents and caregivers by providing advice about looking after their own and their child’ s emotional well-being. If a child has therapeutic needs, our therapists will get to know them, listen to them, and help them. We can decide with the child and their parents/caregivers as to what could best support them.
The Child's
Journey Process
Barnahus West Galway Video
Our Teams
At Barnahus, our dedicated multi-agency team works collaboratively to provide a coordinated response for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. By co-locating essential services under one roof, we ensure that each child receives the right support at the right time, minimising re-traumatisation and guiding families through complex systems. Our child-centred approach prioritises the well-being of children and their families, offering comprehensive assistance in a safe and supportive environment.
Together, our team members work seamlessly to support children and their families, ensuring a holistic and compassionate approach to addressing child sexual abuse.
The Young Person’s Advocate
An advocate will guide children and their families, supporting the child and ensuring their rights are fully upheld. Every child has the right to express their views, feelings, and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have those views considered and taken seriously
Specialist Interview Team
When a child feels ready to talk, you will meet two specially trained interviewers. They are Gardaí and Social Workers who are responsible for interviewing children and young people, and they wear normal clothes. They are experienced in asking questions and helping young people talk about what has happened to them. They listen carefully and work to gather the best evidence for the investigation. This may also be used should your case go to court.
Tusla Workers
Tusla works with children and young people, and their families when there is a worry that a child or young person has been harmed, is not being well cared for, or may not be safe. It is important that children, young people, and adults have an opportunity to talk about their worries and what they would like to see happen to keep them safe.
Medical Team
Some children who come to Barnahus will require a medical examination. The team offer both medical and forensic medical examinations. The purpose of an examination will be discussed with the protective caregivers and decisions can be made about what is in the child’s best interest. Supportive, specially trained doctors and nurses carry out these child friendly medical examinations when it is agreed to be in the child’s best interest.
Therapy Team
Children, young people, and protective caregivers will be offered therapeutic screening with our therapy team. Following the screening, if a therapeutic need is identified, children and their caregivers will be informed on how best their therapeutic needs will be met. Based on the outcome of this assessment, children, young people, and their caregivers may be offered short-term trauma-focused intervention at Barnahus, or they might be referred to another service that best meets their needs.
About a Child?
If you have a child protection concern, please refer to the Tusla website.
