Childhood Matters is a specialist multi-disciplinary child and family organisation providing therapeutic, educational and community services that help children, young people and families overcome challenges and build brighter futures.
Many of the children, young people, and families we work with have experienced developmental trauma. We believe that meaningful, trusting relationships are central to recovery, and we work collaboratively to help them understand and make sense of their life experiences.
By doing so, we aim to support healing, strengthen resilience, and rebuild trust in themselves, in services, and in the wider community.
We work alongside children, families, and their networks, continually evolving our services in response to changing needs while staying committed to one clear purpose:
Helping children achieve the best possible outcomes.
To provide specialist, trauma-informed support that helps children, young people and families overcome adversity, strengthen relationships and achieve better long-term outcomes.
A future where every child and family has access to the support, safety and opportunity they need to thrive.
Childhood Matters is led by a multidisciplinary team with expertise across clinical practice, operations, finance and people development. Together, they are committed to ensuring children and families receive safe, compassionate and evidence-informed support while continuing to grow and strengthen the organisation for the future.
Calem is a senior clinical psychologist with extensive experience supporting children and families with complex needs. As CEO, he leads the continued development of Childhood Matters, combining clinical understanding with a strong commitment to improving services and outcomes for children, young adults and families.
Rachel is a principal clinical psychologist with extensive experience in the delivery and leadership of specialist psychological services in Ireland and the UK. As Clinical Director, she provides clinical leadership and oversight across Childhood Matters, helping to strengthen clinical practice, professional development, research and the quality of support provided through its services.
Kelvin is a Chartered Accountant with a background in corporate finance, organisational development and supporting businesses through growth and change. As Chief Operating Officer, he is strengthening the systems, structures and operational capacity needed to support Childhood Matters’ responsible and sustainable growth.
Tomás is an experienced people, organisational development and workplace wellbeing leader. He is responsible for creating the culture, supports and development opportunities that enable Childhood Matters’ people to do their best work as the organisation continues to grow.
Marie is an experienced child and family services leader with particular expertise in infant mental health, parenting assessment and supporting families with complex needs. She oversees Childhood Matters’ children and family services, helping families build safer relationships, strengthen parenting capacity and achieve greater stability.
Róisín is an experienced social worker and service leader with extensive expertise in supporting children in care and families experiencing complex challenges. She leads the development and delivery of Childhood Matters’ children-in-care services, working with clinical teams and partner agencies to improve stability, safety and long-term outcomes.
Jonathan leads the services that help young people and adults take the next steps towards independence. His division brings together supported living through Estuary Way, an alternative route to completing the Leaving Certificate, and supported pathways into skills development and employment.
Paudie is responsible for over 8000sqm of Childhood Matters property and extensive grounds across multiple sites in Cork, Waterford, Kerry and South Tipperary.
Margaret leads our secondary school, supporting young people as they work toward their Leaving Certificate. The school offers a more individualised approach to learning and an alternative way to help students consider what comes next.
Colman leads our Community Employment Scheme, where people can build practical skills and gain work experience in a really rewarding environment. The programme supports each person to take their next step towards employment.
Supporting families, admissions and service operations to ensure a welcoming and seamless experience for parents and children.
Leading the day-to-day delivery of our Early Years Services and supporting our educators to provide exceptional care and learning experiences.
Many of the children and families we support have lived through adversity. Our services are built on trauma-informed principles that recognise the impact of those experiences and create the conditions for healing and recovery.
Childhood Matters has evolved in response to the changing needs of children and families. What began as a single service has grown into an organisation with specialist expertise across child and family mental health, parenting support, education, early childhood development, child participation and therapeutic services. Today, those services work within one connected model of support, helping children and families at different stages of their lives while working towards the same goal: better outcomes for children. While our organisation has grown, our purpose has remained constant:
To stand alongside children and families with compassion, expertise and hope.
Supporting children is never the responsibility of one organisation alone. We work closely with government departments, statutory agencies, education providers, healthcare services, universities, community organisations and funding partners to strengthen outcomes for children and families.
Whether you're looking for support, exploring a partnership, considering a career or simply want to learn more about Childhood Matters, we'd love to hear from you.
