Criteria for Ecclesville

• Available space.
• Lone parent aged 18 and over.
• Lone parents in their 18th year may be considered following a full risk assessment by the Admission/Discharge Committee.
• Appropriateness of the service to meet the family’s needs.
• A demonstrated commitment to self-development by the parent and their ability to participate in the programme.
• Have low to medium support needs.
• Have one/two children under the age of four.
• Women pregnant for six months or more.
• Parent for whom reunification with their children is planned.
• Parent who is not in active addiction.

How to refer

• The referring agent calls to discuss the referral to determine if it is appropriate to send a placement request.
• If the referral is appropriate, the referring agent sends a letter of instruction to the service outlining the family background and what supports the family will need for the duration of the placement.
• The family visit the service. The nature of our work is explained to the family. If they wish to proceed with the application, they are given an application form to complete.

What happens next?

• On receipt of the completed application form, it is then presented to the admissions committee who will decide if the family are to be offered a placement.
• When a placement is offered, the family is introduced to their support worker who will start the induction process.
• The family moves in within three weeks.

Criteria for Early Years Setting

• Available space.
• Appropriateness of the service to meet the family’s needs.
• Children from three months to four years.
• A demonstrated commitment by the parents to participate in their child’s programme.
• Children of lone parents who wish to return to work or education.
• Families with additional welfare needs.

How to refer

Contact Ms Sinead Martin at  01 497 1519  or email [email protected].

Families who meet the criteria will be invited to visit the Early Years Service to meet staff and get an overview of the service. If they wish to progress the referral, they are given an application pack. On receipt of the completed pack, the manager will decide if the family are suitable for the service. Families who are referred through Meitheal will be prioritised.

What happens next?

• Parent visits the early education centre and completes an application form.
• The fee and payment method is agreed.
• The parent is given a welcome pack that contains all the information they need to know about the service.
• A start date is given.
• The parent stays with the child for the first few days until the child settles.

Criteria for Hawthorn Referrals

• Contact Hawthorn at  0864671423 (Stacy Dowling) to discuss the family’s needs and what assessment best suits your needs.
• Complete a Referral Form.
• All referrals should be accompanied by a clear letter of instruction from the social worker stating clearly what aspects of parenting they wish to have assessed.

What happens next?

• Hawthorn will make a decision regarding suitability.
• A family visit is arranged.
• Funding is agreed for the placement.
• A Pre-placement meeting is held.
• Family receive the parent’s handbook.
• All parties agree to the level of monitoring.

Review

This assessment plan will be reviewed regularly throughout the assessment. This will be agreed at the admission planning meeting.

Assessment Closure Report

Following the completion of the assessment, a comprehensive report is compiled, which gives recommendations to inform future care planning and support services where appropriate.