Seán Kenny
Question:626. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will increase the number of family support workers in north Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9418/14]
View answerTuesday, 25 February 2014
Questions (626)
Written answers
Family is the most important influence on a child's life. From birth, children depend on parents and family to protect and provide for their needs. Sometimes parents need help, support and additional resources to do this. Family Support Services provide a flexible programme of interventions which are provided through a broad range of skilled personnel, including Family Support Workers, Project Workers, Co-ordinators and Youth Workers.
The new Child & Family Agency brings together family support services previously delivered by two agencies, the HSE and the Family Support Agency. The establishment of the agency means that for the first time, this service will be provided under one roof and this should ensure the provision of a more integrated service to families that require such support. The Child & Family Agency employs 24.77 whole-time equivalent Family Support Workers in North Dublin who work in partnership with the voluntary sector to provide a multifaceted service which supports parents, guardians and carers to sustain the care of their children within the home setting by engaging with them to meet their changing needs through the use of consultation, plans, reviews and feedback. This model of support has been developed under the National Service Delivery Framework which is at an advanced stage of implementation in the North Dublin area.
My Department is leading the Children's Services Committees Initiative for national and local inter-agency working to improve outcomes for children and young people. The purpose is to secure better developmental outcomes for children and young people through more effective integration of policies and services. It is planned to introduce the Partnership, Prevention and Family Support pillar of the Service Delivery Framework in North Dublin this year in conjunction with partner agencies through Fingal Children's Services Committee.
A number of priority objectives for 2014 have been identified which will inform future service developments in the area of family support, such as:
- The development of a strategy for Family Support and parenting to complement my Department's National Policy Framework.
- The alignment of the Family Resource Centres with the overall Agency approach to prevention and early intervention.
- A quality review of the implementation of family support processes in each area as well as the integration of Family Resource Centres within the Service Delivery Framework; and
- The introduction of Meitheal, the National Practice Model for all Agencies working with children and young people.
Question No. 627 answered with Question No. 620.