We have gathered information from past webinars organised by NVR Ireland. Some slides are available for some of the webinars; follow the links below. If you are interested in other media information, we have Podcasts and Videos Pages.
NVR Ireland Past Webinars
2025
We had a fantastic turnout for the NVR Ireland webinar on May 15th which, fittingly, was International Day of the Family. The purposes of this particular day is to celebrate the importance of the family and to raise awareness of issues affecting families. Over 300 people joined from across Ireland and the UK. The webinar was a joint effort by NVR Ireland NVR Ireland – Addressing child to parent violence and abuse in Ireland and CYPSC Dunlaoghaire Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) – Let’s Parent DLR. We were lucky to be in the capable hands of Helena O’Brien (CYPSC coordinator) who helped us to pull it all together and Ali Wyse who competently managed the technical side of the webinar – which can be a huge source of stress as many of you will know! Thank you both for your help.
We had an interesting selection of speakers. Dr Declan Coogan(University of Galway) and Eileen Lauster (PhD candidate, Durham University) opened the morning with a presentation on their research with Irish practitioners’ experiences of working with parents, CPVA and NVR. Eileen and Declan reminded us of the definition of CPVA and in setting the context, they noted that of more than 6,000 calls to Parentline in 2023, one third of those calls related to CPV including anger and aggression.
Paula Leonard, CEO of Alcohol Forum Ireland (Alcohol Forum Ireland) delivered a comprehensive presentation on the impact of alcohol on violence in the family. Paula cited a study (Beckman et. Al., 2017) which concluded that “Problematic substance use predicted physical violence toward parents in both sexes”. This presentation provided references to other studies but concluded with a recommendation for further research on CPVA and alcohol use.
NVR as a useful model for foster carers was the subject of our third presentation. Hannaleena Ahonen (Fostering Team leader in Tusla) and Andy Pirie (Social Care Leader, Tusla) joined with a foster carer, Lyndsey Caffrey, to present on an NVR group with foster carers. The presenters reported that all participants stayed with the group until completion – echoing previous findings of a low drop-out rate with NVR. Foster carers reported that the model was useful for all of the children they cared for – including those who are neurodiverse and those who have experienced trauma. They cited one parent from the group who said:
“Honestly can’t think of how to make it better. Really enjoyed the course. Very relevant for foster carers as troubling behaviours can be very common in foster children.”
The final presentation was delivered by Eoin Connolly Gorman (Service Manager with Rise UK Freedom from domestic abuse | RISE). Eoin reported on a very exciting RCT on NVR in London through a partnership with RISE and the University of Hertfordshire. Eoin also described how RISE deliver NVR by engaging parents and children over 16 sessions in the family home over a period of six to eight months. This model involves teaching NVR techniques with a strong emphasis on creating community support networks. We very much look forward to hearing from Eoin on the RCT which he notes is the biggest RCT on NVR in the Western World.
The slides from these presentations are now available here and you are welcome to bring them to the attention of your colleagues. In NVR Ireland, we are committed to sharing information and research and to promoting NVR networks. Please keep an eye on the website for further events.
Dr Tara Kelly
Chair, NVR Ireland Committee.
2024
Speaking From Experience, was a webinar organised by NVR Ireland Committee, on 2nd May 2024. It provided a space for parents and carers to speak about their experiences with the NVR programme on overcoming Child to Parent Violence and Abuse (CPVA). The online event was attended by over 150 parents, carers, practitioners and researchers from Ireland and overseas. Opened by Dr Declan Coogan, University of Galway, with speakers including Aileen Hickey of Parentline, Caroline Mhic Eoin of TESS (Tusla Education Support Service), and Robbie Harrington Senior Social Worker, Children’s Disability Network Team, Rosemary Fox, WISE FOX Consulting and Dr Tara Kelly, NVR Ireland Chair and Springboard. Parents viewpoints were sensitively shared at the webinar through video clips and voice overs, with one parent describing how NVR had ‘helped her to take her power back as a parent’ and had ‘saved her family’.
Because of the sensitive nature of the webinar, no slides are available.
2023
The NVR Ireland Webinar 2023, held on 10th March looked at the application of NVR within the fields of education, mental health and substance misuse. Over 300 practitioners, and researchers attended the webinar. Donna Butler of the Alcohol Forum and Monica White of YODA spoke about effective use of the NVR programme where substance use is also an issue. Madeline Connolly of Luciena and Tara Kelly of Springboard /Tusla looked at the application of NVR where the child has a mental health issue. Yvonne Toher, TESS, and Sarah McGillicuddy, a NEPS psychologist spoke about the growth of the NVR approach in the education sector.
2021
In 2021, the webinar was with Jack Wilson on growing up with NVR. More details to follow.
2020
From Athlone to Australia, Ballyhaunis to Brighton and Gorey to Greece, NVR practitioners from across Ireland and beyond joined the inaugural NVR Ireland Webinar on November 25th 2020 with more than 350 people in attendance and six presentations with Q & A.
NVR Ireland 