Dr Caroline Duignan
Independent Social Worker • Child & Youth Researcher • National Trainer
A social worker, educator and researcher with nearly three decades of experience in child protection, youth participation and multi-agency practice.
About
Dr Caroline Duignan is a highly experienced, values-driven independent social worker, educator and researcher, with nearly three decades of practice across frontline, policy and strategic levels. She brings an unwavering commitment to children and young people's rights and participation, underpinned by specialist expertise in child protection, family welfare and collaborative practice.
Caroline currently works 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 (the Ryan Report). She has worked extensively across child protection and medical social work, and has led national training programmes for social workers and Gardaí, developing pioneering practice-based education modules for newly qualified social workers.
Since 2014, Caroline has served as Coordinator of the Galway and Roscommon Children and Young People's Services Committees (CYPSCs), developing strategic, cross-agency plans to improve outcomes for children. Her work is rooted in inclusion and participation — she designed an original model of consultation that amplifies the voices of seldom-heard children and young people, showcased internationally including at Eurochild and Council of Europe conferences.
She recently completed a doctoral research project on the impact of power, leadership and strategic collaboration in services for children and young people, informing a preliminary framework for improved cross-sectoral working, on which she continues to publish and present. Caroline manages a multi-disciplinary team delivering targeted supports to vulnerable children in Roscommon — including initiatives for young carers, LGBTIQ+ youth and Roma children — work recognised with multiple Tusla Excellence Awards.
Deeply embedded in community life, Caroline is an active volunteer, youth club founder and chairperson of the Frenchpark Youth Project and Resource Centre. She brings to Gallore a proven track record of systemic thinking, evidence-informed practice and an unwavering belief in truly child-centred services.
Qualifications
- 2023 PhD, Child & Youth Research, University of Galway
- 2005 Diploma in Training & Education, University of Galway
- 1996 Master of Social Work (NQSW), University College Dublin
- 1994 Bachelor of Social Science, University College Dublin
Career history
- 2026–present Independent Social Worker
- 2025–2026 Guardian ad Litem
- 2014–2025 CYPSC Coordinator, Roscommon, Tusla
- 2011–2014 Training Officer, IASW
- 2002–2014 Training Officer (Learning & Development), HSE West Child Care Unit
- 1997–2002 Social Worker, Child Protection & Family Support, North Western Health Board