NPC Helpline
Support for parents. Guidance when you need it.
📍 Free & Confidential Service
📆 Open Monday to Friday
🕙 10am – 4pm
📞 Call us: 01 887 4477
📧 Email: helpline@npc.ie
💬 Live chat: www.npc.ie
📞 Contact the NPC Helpline
Have a question about your child’s post primary education? We’re here to help.
📍 Free & Confidential Service
📆 Open Monday to Friday
🕙 10am – 4pm
📞 Call us: 01 887 4477
📧 Email: helpline@npc.ie
💬 Live chat: www.npc.ie
Whatever the question, start with a conversation
Being a parent comes with plenty of questions, and sometimes it can be difficult to know where to turn.
You might be concerned about something happening in your child’s school or early years setting. You may need help understanding a policy or procedure, want to know what support is available for your child, or simply need someone to talk through a situation with you.
That’s what the NPC Helpline is here for.
Our advisers will listen to your concerns, help you make sense of the information available and support you in considering what you can do next.
You don’t need to have all the answers before you contact us. That’s why we’re here.
What can the Helpline help with?
Early Years
Support from the very beginning
If your child attends a pre-school, crèche, childcare service or other Early Years setting, we can provide information and support on issues including:
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Choosing and understanding Early Years services
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ECCE and early education
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AIM and supports for children with additional needs
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Moving from pre-school to primary school
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Policies and procedures within Early Years settings
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Raising a concern with an Early Years provider
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Your child’s learning, development and wellbeing
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Settling into an Early Years setting
Primary
Helping you navigate the primary school years
Primary school can bring all sorts of questions for parents. Our Helpline team can support you with issues including:
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Bullying and friendship difficulties
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Communicating with your child’s school
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School policies and procedures
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Raising a concern or making a complaint
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Special educational needs and available supports
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Attendance and school participation
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Homework and learning
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Behaviour and wellbeing
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Changing schools
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Moving from primary to post-primary
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Parent–school relationships
Post-Primary
Support as your child becomes more independent
The post-primary years can bring new challenges for both parents and young people. We can help parents understand and navigate issues including:
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Bullying and peer relationships
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Communicating with your teenager’s school
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School policies, procedures and disciplinary matters
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Additional educational needs and supports
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Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle
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State examinations
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Subject choices and education pathways
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Transition Year
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Changing schools
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School pressure and stress
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Supporting your young person’s wellbeing
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Parent–school communication
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Transitions and future education choices
1. Tell us what’s happening
You can contact us by phone, email or webchat.
There’s no need to know exactly what you need before getting in touch.
Start by telling us what is happening and what you are concerned about.
2. We listen
Our Helpline advisers will give you the space to explain the situation and ask questions so they can better understand what support you need.
3. We help you understand your options
Depending on your query, we can provide information about relevant procedures, policies, supports and possible next steps.
We may also direct you towards useful NPC resources or another organisation or service where appropriate.
4. You decide what happens next
Our role is to give you information and support so that you can make informed decisions for you and your child.
What happens when I contact the Helpline?
Join Our Community
Join thousands of parents across Ireland who are helping to shape the future of post-primary education. Becoming an NPC member gives you access to trusted information, invitations to training and events, and a direct role in making sure parents’ voices are heard at school and national level
As an NPC member, you can:
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Use our Parent Helpline for guidance and support.
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Take part in surveys, consultations, and research that influence education policy.
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Stay informed about key developments and changes in education.
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Connect with parents and Parent Associations across Ireland.
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Access free online and in-person training and information sessions.
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Enter the NPC Award—win multiple prizes and celebrate your school’s innovation.
Whether you are supporting your child through the Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle, exams, or important transitions, we are here to help.
Working with your child’s school or Early Years setting
Many of the questions we receive involve communication between parents and their child’s school or Early Years setting.
Our Helpline can help you think about how to approach a conversation, understand the appropriate procedures and identify the next step if an issue has not been resolved.
The aim is to help you feel informed and confident when advocating for your child and working with the people involved in their education.
A confidential place to talk
We know that contacting someone about a difficulty involving your child can feel daunting.
The NPC Helpline provides parents with a confidential space to talk through their concerns with an experienced adviser.
We will listen without judgement and help you understand the information and options available to you.
Sometimes you may just need confirmation that you are taking the right next step. At other times, you may need help understanding a complicated procedure or working out who you should speak to.
No question is too small to ask.
Aoife, Parent, Waterford
"NPC's information on subject choices helped us make decisions with confidence. We felt supported, not alone."
Rachel, Parent, Dublin
"Thanks to the NPC Helpline, I understood how to address a bullying issue calmly and effectively."
Brian, Parent, Kildare
"The NPC resources on the Senior Cycle made the system feel far less confusing. I now know how to advocate for my child."
Anthony, Parent, Dublin
“NPC’s resources on homework routines transformed how we manage homework at home now it’s stress-free and productive!”
What Parents Say
Stay Informed. Make a Difference.
Sign up to the National Parents Council newsletter and keep up to date with the information, opportunities and support that matter to parents and families.
By joining our mailing list, you’ll receive:
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Updates on upcoming NPC events, training and information sessions
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Opportunities to take part in surveys and consultations
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Practical information for parents across early years, primary and post-primary education
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News about changes and developments that may affect children, parents and schools
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Helpful resources, guidance and ways to have your voice heard
Support for parents. Guidance when you need it.
Questions about your child’s education, early years experience or school life? You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
The NPC Helpline is a confidential service supporting parents and guardians from the early years right through to post-primary education.
Our experienced Helpline advisers are here to listen, provide clear information and help you understand the options and next steps available to you.
