Your Family Forum

Each Children's Disability Network Team (CDNT) in the country has a family forum. Parents and caregivers who have children linked to a CDNT come together to talk about children’s disability services in their area. 

What is a family forum?

The Family Forum is a meeting in-person or online for families that are linked with a CDNT. It is an opportunity to discuss general issues and share ideas about the children’s disability services they offer. This includes families on the waitlist.

Role and purpose of a family forum

Its role and purpose is to involve families in the development of services in their CDNT and to share information ideas and feedback on:

• Service provision, governance, and access
• Community supports
• Rights of the child and the family
• And to facilitate networking and sharing knowledge and experiences amongst families.

Role of family representatives

Two Family Representatives are elected by the Family Forum. They meet with the Children’s Disability Network Manager (CDNM) to discuss issues and ideas raised at the Forum and they attend meetings of the larger Family Representative Group (FRG).

Our FRG includes family representatives from family forums run by the 11 Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow CDNTs. 

How do you get involved?

You will receive an invitation from your CDNT to every Family Forum, and you are welcome to attend as many as you like.  Upcoming Family Forum dates will be advertised in our Events section.

If you would like to become more involved, you can nominate yourself to stand for election as a family representative. More information on the role and when elections are taking place will be shared with families by their CDNTs.

For more information on your local family forum, contact your CDNT.

Last review: 25 September 2026

Next review due: 25 September 2027