Teachers to be guided on pupils impacted by homelessness

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has launched a guidance document for primary school teachers who have pupils impacted by homelessness.

The latest official number for children in homelessness was 4,561 in September.

In the past year, there has been a 17 % increase in child homelessness.

The document was created in liaison with homelessness charity Focus Ireland and informed by teachers with homeless children in their classrooms.

General Secretary of INTO, John Boyle said that as a union, they do not want to be put in a situation where they are asking their members to do more but "needs must".

"There's a massive emotional impact for the teachers and pupils on this issue," he added.

Teachers have been raising the issue of homeless pupils in their classrooms to the attention of the INTO for several years, Mr Boyle said.

Mr Boyle said that teachers are on the front line of this issue and provide stability to children who are currently accessing emergency accommodation.

The INTO said they have raised the issue with the Department of Education.

The union is calling for the department to increase funding, resources and training to support teachers.

In a statement, the department of education has said it "continues to engage with all stakeholders in relation to supporting children at risk of educational disadvantage, including those experiencing homeless."

The department added the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has "engaged in extensive national training of school staff in the area of trauma-informed practice and has developed an e-learning course for school staff which looks at the sources and impact of stress on children and young people including trauma and adverse experiences."

There are 3,240 teachers enrolled in this programme.