Childcare
Why we work with children and women:
- To provide a safe space and environment to work with children affected by domestic violence in order to effect change in their lives.
- To provide a practical child centered approach for children to support them express their feeling and emotions with an emphasis on safe care.
- To work collaboratively with mother and child to address issues affecting their relationships.
- To provide a caring environment where a child can explore and understand their feelings and experiences and the impact of domestic violence on their lives.
- To help and support a mother understand the effects domestic violence can have on children.
- We work with children in a group setting or one to one to hear the voice of the child and based his/her needs.
How we do it and what we do
We accept referrals from Parents/Guardians, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), Schools, Community projects, Public Health Nurse and others working with children affected by domestic violence. We will refer onwards in collaboration with a mother to other relevant professional to meet the needs of the child and family.
Our Way of Work
We have a childcare worker who works with children residing in the refuge or on a referral basis. Our childcare worker uses a programme to address the needs of children affected by domestic violence. We can also refer to a play therapist, who works with the children within the refuge if needed. We do this work in collaboration with the parent.
Referrals
Referrals are processed according to the needs of the family and child in question who is affected by Domestic Violence. Referral can be made to the Assistant Manager or Manager. They will make an assessment and accept a referral based on the child and families need and the refuges capacity to work with them and the availability of places.
Consent and confidentiality
Consent is required for children to participate in our domestic violence programmes and to work with our childcare service. This consent is obtained from the parent and child and confidentiality is to be agreed to respect others who are residing in the refuge.
Child Safeguarding
Our organisation believes that the best interests of children and young people attending our services are paramount. Our guiding principles are underpinned by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, TUSLA’s Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and current legislation such as the Children First Act 2015, Child Care Act 1991, Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 and the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012.
Assessment
We will assess your child’s needs following a referral or contact from the parent and tailor our programme to the child needs of the child, in collaboration with the mother/guardian accordingly. To enquire about support for your child, contact the refuge and speak to the Childcare Worker regarding how we can support you and your children.
We now offer the Triple P Parenting Programme to support Mams who have or are experiencing Domestic Violence & Abuse. This 8 week in-person programme includes one to one & Group support.
We are the first Domestic Abuse service in the South East to offer this award winning programme.
Contact our Childcare worker Angela for more details.
