About Adrian McKenna (Ado)
“A Dedicated Advocate for Social Care and Community Empowerment”
Adrian McKenna, fondly known as Ado, is a passionate social care professional with over 35 years of frontline experience. Based in Bray, County Wicklow, Ado has dedicated his career to supporting vulnerable groups and promoting social justice. He has worked extensively in residential care, detention services, mental health services, and post-adoption support, shaping the lives of countless individuals and families.

Clinical Supervision and Mentorship
Ado is an experienced and trained Clinical Supervisor. He provides supervision to social care professionals and manages all social care student placements at his organisation. Ado's supervision is known for its empathetic and solution-focused approach, ensuring that professionals and students feel supported, valued, and capable of growth.
Involvement in Social Justice and Advocacy
Ado is committed to social justice and has actively contributed to policy discussions as a member of the Collaborative Forum for Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions. His work continues to have a positive impact on social care policy and practice in Ireland.
Public Speaking and Training
Ado is an experienced public speaker and trainer, regularly presenting at conferences and events across Ireland. He has been a key speaker at the Social Care Ireland Conference (2016-2023) and has guest lectured in third-level social care settings. His training sessions cover a wide range of topics, from social care supervision to critical incident response, and are highly praised for their practical application and deep insight.
Educational Background & Certifications
Ado is continuously expanding his knowledge to better serve his community. His educational journey includes:
UCC Pg in Trauma Practice at Level 9 (pending)
ICHAS Pg in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice at Level 9
TUDublin Pg in Leadership and Management in Social Care at Level 9
TUDublin Degree in Applied Social Care at Level 9
UCC Diploma in Disability Studies at Level 7
UCC Diploma in Disability Studies at Level 7
NUIM Certificate in Counselling at Level 7
NUIM Certificate in Counselling at Level 7
ICISMF Certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management
Servan Leadership Trained.

My Philosophy of Supervision
My philosophy of supervision is grounded originally in the work of Tony Morrisons (4x4x4 Model),
this form of supervision guided and supported me through most of my career until I sensed that I
needed something more, that something more was a period of time spent studying a representation
of some of the other cross professional models of supervision where I settled comfortably with the
work of Hawkins and Shohet and their seven eyed model amongst many others.
All through my social care life I’ve recognised that relationships are what keeps me secure, grounded
and safe and working hard at establishing and developing a great supervisory relationship is
essential. I work from the perspective of empathy making sure that I am at all times approachable,
open and provide as safe a space as I can. I work hard at being present, I embrace vulnerability and
recognise those times when we are at our most competent. I will use my many years in frontline
work and in education with experience, wisdom and humility. I will be that second pair of eyes to
help you see the best in you and I will never stop working hard to help you grow and achieve
whatever you need in the supervisory relationship and beyond.
I offer supervision and support from an integrative perspective where we both work together for the
benefit of you. I offer supervision across disciplines both online and in person to frontline
practitioners, leaders, educators and others. I hold a Post Graduate Level 9 qualification in
Professional Supervision from ICHAS.
Ado
Organisations Ado Has Worked With
Crosscare
Dublin-based charity, where he is part of the management team focusing on homeless services.
CORU – Social Care Workers Registration Board
Served as a board member for 8 years, helping to shape policy and professional standards.
Collaborative Forum for Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes
Participated in advocacy and policy development for former residents.
Social Care Ireland
Active member and recipient of the “Outstanding Achievement in Social Care” award in 2022.
Social Justice Ireland
Member, contributing to discussions on social justice and policy reform.
International Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation
Member and trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), part of the Crosscare critical incident response team.
Educational Institutions (Guest Lecturing and Training):
- TUD (Technological University Dublin)
- University College Cork (UCC)
- Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM)
Residential Care and Detention Services
Worked with young people and adults in various care settings.
Post-Adoption Services
Supporting adults post-adoption with specialised one-on-one guidance.

Key Services
Helping social care teams and students thrive through supervision and professional guidance.
Empowering professionals and families through tailored training and workshops in social care, parenting, and mental health.
Supporting adults through post-adoption challenges with empathy and expertise.