The BUDDIES Study (BUilding BriDges, DimInishing Educational DiSadvantage): Examining the Role of Home-School Community Liaison (HSCL) across the island of Ireland.

Abstract

The BUDDIES Project, a collaboration between Stranmillis University College (Drs Glenda Walsh, Jill Dunn, Ken Gibson and Karen Orr), University College Dublin (Dr Seaneen Sloan) and Marino Institute of Education (Dr Clíodhna Martin) aims to understand the role and potential of the Home-School Community Liaison coordinator (HSCL) in terms of addressing educational disadvantage across the island of Ireland. The study set out, principally by means of a qualitative research design, to learn more about the ‘lived reality’ of the HSCL/Parent Officer in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and across the different school phases i.e. pre-school, primary, and post-primary. A fuller understanding of the role of the HSCL across the full educational spectrum will guide policy-makers and practitioners (both in service and pre-service) in their understanding and appreciation of the value of HSCLs, particularly for those facing disadvantage.