Overview
Family Support is a framework that encompasses a wide range of activities that aim to strengthen positive social networks within the community. This is accomplished through a community-based programmes and services. Early intervention in the promotion of health, well-being and the rights of all children and their families is a key focus, with particular emphasis on serving the vulnerable and at-risk.
More than 18,900 children in Ireland received a family support service from Tusla from January to June 2018. There are now 103 Child and Family Support Networks in Ireland, with a further 20 planned. Tusla, Ireland's Child and Family Agency.
The aim of the programme is to provide further education and skills to professionals with a common interest in family support. Participants will analyse the theories of Family Support, and develop the ability to critically examine its evolution from a national and international perspective, as well as the impact of family challenges on the child and subsequently, the wider family.
They will gain a strong understanding of their ethical responsibilities to clients, family members, agencies and other professionals and be aware of the various methods of intervention in the family support approach.
By the end of the programme, learners will have outlined the practice they engaged in and critique the tools, resources, professional skills and interventions employed in their use of the family support approach.
Participants will critically reflect on, and evaluate how, a planned intervention carried out in practice impacted on the service users' quality of life (assess needs, plan intervention, carry out intervention, evaluate the impact of the intervention).
Entry Requirements
All applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Lifelong Learning reserves the right to require applicants to attend for an interview to determine their suitability for the programme.