Under the Aegis: Karen Rogers’ Passion for Resolving Complex Dynamics in Child Advocacy

Explore Karen Rogers' journey into social work from school project on homelessness to becoming a Guardian ad Litem with TIGALA and everything in between. Learn about her commitment to improving communication in complex child welfare cases.

Karen Rogers, a dedicated Guardian ad Litem with TIGALA for almost seven years, began her career in residential care in the late 1990s. After a handful of years working in the residential care sector, she decided to pursue further social work training at college before going on to work with what was then the Eastern Health Board, then the HSE, and finally Tusla before taking on the role of Guardian ad Litem. "It feels like only yesterday, but it's actually been seven years this July," Karen reflects on her time with TIGALA.

Karen's interest in social work began early, inspired by a school project on homelessness and volunteering with the Simon Community. "Meeting, talking, and learning from new experiences and people really drew me in," she says. This passion for learning and connecting with people has been a constant throughout her career.

I put a lot into working with people and bringing people together where possible, trying to walk in each other's shoes.

While Karen does not specialise in a specific type of case, she feels she has the most to offer when it comes to working with complex relationship dynamics where the lines of communication have either partially or fully broken down. "I put a lot into working with people and bringing them together, trying to walk in each other's shoes," Karen explains. "I like to see if I can help with that."

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In her role at TIGALA, Karen leverages her extensive experience of working within the institutions of Ireland to better advocate for children in various situations, always aiming to bring parties together for the child's best interest. Her commitment to resolving complex dynamics and fostering communication highlights her unique approach to child advocacy.