Chair: Claire McGettrick
Working Group Members: Aoife Bairead, Claire McGettrick, Elizabeth McCotter, Hazel Douglas, Jacqueline Fyne, Jane Mc Carroll, Kerry Cuskelly, Majella Hickey, Monica Vaughan, Shane O'Meara, Sheila Gallagher, Valerie O'Brien, & Vivian Geiran.
What is the MBHA WG and what is its Purpose?
On 15th February 2021, the IASW apologised ‘unreservedly for the pain and distress caused by the failings of social work, outlined in the Report of the Commission into the Mother and Baby Homes’. As the IASW statement explains:
The report provides examples of times when the social work profession did not provide compassionate support, failed to uphold basic human rights, and failed to challenge the social and institutional injustices, which caused such devastation in the lives of women and children.
The apology marked the beginning of a period of reflection for the organisation. As set out in the IASW’s statement, the apology was motivated by the testimony of affected people and was made in line with the core social work principle to ‘speak up and challenge social injustice’. In this context, the IASW made a commitment to providing a space for members to advocate for positive social change. The IASW also committed to developing ‘a response to ensure that the lessons from the testimonies inform our contemporary work with survivors and others who are marginalised and silenced in Irish society’. The MBHA WG was established as an action arising from the IASW apology on foot of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission Report in February 2021. The group is led by Majella Hickey (IASW member) and Claire McGettrick, born Lorraine Hughes (IASW board member, co-director of the Clann Project and an adopted person).
