Planned public events across Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Rialto designed to give parents an insight into the Family Support Services available locally
Starting on Monday, September 17th National Child and Family Support Week aims to highlight the work carried out by the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support [PPFS] Programme and Tusla in communities across the country. The aim of the programme, which started in 2015, is to prevent risks to children and young people by building sustainable intellectual capacity and manpower within Tusla and partner organisations to perform early intervention work.
Maria Hayes, Principal Social Worker, Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme, Dublin South Central, said: “The PPFS programme has a central role to play in building strong communities through its work with families and children around the country. This week offers people an opportunity to find out more about their local service and the ways in which Tusla can help families within the locality. We have a number of events taking place that will give people a chance to meet staff and discover what supports are available.”
Throughout the week Parenting Support Champions will be attending events and hosting workshops to give families a better understanding of local supports that are available in Family Resource and Community Centres across Dublin.
Families are invited to attend one of the Parent and Toddler mornings taking place locally with special guest Magic Movers: Children’s Entertainer. These open mornings will take place on Tuesday, September 18th in Ballyfermot Resource Centre, Wednesday, September 19th in Quarryale Family Resource Centre and Thursday, September 20th in Deansrath Family Centre from 10am to 12 noon each day.
As part of the week-long event parents can also attend a Cyber Safety Workshop, focused on keeping children safe online. This workshop will take place on Monday, September 17th in F2 Family Centre in Rialto and on Tuesday, September 18th in Ballyfermot Resource Centre and all are welcome. There will also be a Time Out Self-Care Workshop for parents on Friday, September 21st in Ballyfermot with Eveanna O’Meara. Places are limited so booking is essential. Contact Eveanna on 0877811157.
In addition to these public events there will also be a screening of Resilience film for Child and Family professionals as well as a parenting workshop coffee morning and an event for parents who have participated in Meitheal, a co-ordinated multi-agency approach to family support, to discuss their experience. Psychologist David Coleman and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone TD will be supporting National Child and Family Support Week throughout September. Parents who wish to find out about the services on offer can email family.support@tusla.ie.
For further information about the scheduled events and the Family Supports available locally please visit www.childandfamilysupport.ie.
Pictured: Tusla Family Support Team
