Under the Aegis: Who Does a Guardian ad Litem Communicate With?

Discover how TIGALA’s Guardians ad Litem collaborate with parents, foster carers, and social workers to advocate effectively for children’s best interests.

In the delicate role of advocating for children and their best interests, a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) needs to go beyond listening to and sharing the child’s voice. A GAL must also build and maintain connections with everyone who plays a significant part in the child’s life, ensuring that all perspectives are understood and considered in court and care decisions.

Claire Quinn, Director and Guardian ad Litem with TIGALA, explains in more detail the multifaceted communication process that enables Guardians to act in the best interest of the child.

To really, truly find out more about this child, of course you have to speak with their parents. They’re the people who know the child best.

“To really, truly find out more about this child, of course you have to speak with their parents. They’re the people who know the child best,” Claire shares, highlighting the importance of hearing the parents’ viewpoints and understanding the child’s background through their lens.

Stakeholder Collaboration

Guardians communicate extensively with Tusla social workers, fostering carers, and other key figures in the child’s life. These interactions ensure that every decision made is informed by diverse perspectives and grounded in the child’s day-to-day reality.

Foster carers, in particular, play an essential role. “A foster carer can also be a good advocate to highlight things that are going on for a child in the day to day," Claire notes, whether that be schooling issues, relational issues or anything else that might arise for the child. Their insights provide a deeper understanding of the child’s needs and experiences, and facilitate a Guardian ad Litem in getting a clearer picture of a child's life.

Ultimately, this allows a Guardian to communicate and advocate for the child's best interests with a more comprehensive understanding of the situation as a whole. By encouraging TIGALA Guardians to maintain regular communication with all of these stakeholders, Guardians ensure that decision-making remains collaborative and focused on the child’s welfare.

Advocacy Through Connection

A Guardian ad Litem’s ability to build strong relationships with all stakeholders in the child’s network creates a holistic view of the child’s needs. At TIGALA, we believe this collaborative approach is an integral part of our role and a core tenet of the practice principles that guide our work each day.

From engaging parents to liaising with foster carers and social workers, our Guardians work tirelessly to represent the child’s best interests and ensure their voice is heard at every stage of the process.