The child and family agency Tusla has launched a new website to help young people avail of its services. The site – changingfutures.ie – was developed by a research group made up of young people who have experience of Tusla and the care system.

The group met worked on the site’s development over three years and designed each detail so that it explains services in an easily accessible way.

Mark Gray from Dun Laoghaire, who was a member of the research group, was just six when he was placed in a residential home. He believes the involvement of young people with experience of Tusla was crucial to the success of the project.

“We have a residential care worker who explains her job and does a run-through of the residential home. We have an after-care worker explaining her role. We have foster carers explaining their roles,” he said.

Lauren Ellen Dunne also helped to develop the website. “When people go on to the website that we have taken three years to make and they realise that a group of young people came together and made it, they will see us in a new light too. Children are going to get some good publicity for a change,” she said.

Fórsa Assistant general secretary Chris Cully praised the website. “Good on those young people for coming up with this concept. I think it’s great, especially as it was developed by the young people who have been supported by Tusla.

“The site helps show people the real picture of Tusla, and introduce some of its dedicated and caring staff and the great work they do. That’s the Tusla I know and see in action every day when dealing with the 4,000 staff who Fórsa represents.”