Sub-Groups

Sub-Groups:

Dublin City North CYPSC has aligned its actions under the 5 National Outcomes, as detailed in the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures). Our core subgroups are attended by and led by CYPSC members.

Outcome 1: Active and Healthy, Physical and Mental Wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Chair: Angela Walsh, HSE Head of Mental Health Services

Members: Irish Primary Principals Network, National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, National Educational Psychological Services, Jigsaw, Daughters of Charity Child and Family Services, National Office of Suicide Prevention and Young People at Risk (North Inner City).

Objectives:

  • Decrease CAMHS waiting times and did not attends
  • Clarify Referral Pathways and mental health services for under 18’s
  • To encourage uptake of suicide awareness and skills sessions, in collaboration with NOSP.
  • To develop interagency mental health awareness and promotion initiatives.
  • To increase accessible and community based services for children and young people.
  • To increase community based intervention responses to drug and alcohol related harm.

Sexual Health, Physical Health and Weight Health – Healthy Ireland Fund

Lead Coordinators: 2018/2019:

Sexual Health Initiative: Ballymun Regional Youth Resource with Cabra for Youth
Physical Health/Weight Health:Early Learning Institute (My Place to Play);Barnardos (Finglas Emotional Health and Wellbeing)

The Dublin City North Health and Wellbeing Strategic Action Plan (2018-2021) was developed with funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund, and in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Pobal. Aligned with Healthy Ireland goals, and annual funding from the Healthy Ireland Fund, these themes are being targeted each year, which began in 2017. These actions aim to:

  • Develop universal and targeted initiatives for children to increase opportunities for physical activity and play, and weight management (e.g. a mobile play mat for babies living in emergency accommodation in 2018 was developed by the Early Learning Institute, with roll out of training and mats to homeless service providers and families in 2019. Partnership involves the DRHE, ABCs, Focus Ireland and other homeless service providers).
  • Barnardos are leading out on targeted initiatives within the "Finglas North A" Emotional Health and Wellbeing Action Plan to purchase and distribute physical activity equipment to schools and youth services; and conduct research into the available play spaces for 6-12 year olds in the area.
  • Increase sexual health and wellbeing knowledge and skills amongst young people and local workers. This has included the roll out of training to youth workers in evidence based sexual health training, a conference and consultation with young people 15-18years in 2018 and led by youth services, and a youth participation approach to developing a social media sexual health campaign in 2019 with young people.

A Health and Wellbeing Working Group has been established since 2019 to oversee the projects and funding applications under Healthy Ireland Fund 2019 - 2021. 

Outcome 2: Learning and Development

Chair: Janet Colgan, Tusla Educational Welfare Services

Members: Homeless Service Providers (including Focus Ireland, Respond Housing, etc.); DRHE, HSE Public Health Nursing; Early Learning Initiative, School Completion Programmes – Finglas and Cabra, Foróige, NAPD, Larkin Community Crèche/YPAR, and NEPS.

This subgroup targets a number of areas with a view to:

  • Reduce barriers to schools attendance for families experiencing homelessness
  • To increase recreational/educational/developmental activities for children, young people and families experiencing homelessness.
  • To increase awareness of the importance of schools attendance.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Children (6-12 years) in Finglas North A

This subgroup met throughout 2018 with a view to meeting the objectives and actions of the research completed in 2017. In parallel to this process, Barnardos were approved by Tusla to establish a family resource centre in this area. At a meeting in November 2018 with this subgroup, it was decided that a number of actions had been achieved, and those that were outstanding would lie with the Family Resource Centre Steering Group so that duplication of efforts were avoided. Healthy Ireland funds are supporting a number of actions in 2018/2019.

Outcome 3: Safe and Protected from Harm

Chair: Teresa Nyland, Tusla, Prevention Partnership and Family Support Manager (Dublin North City)

Members: ABCs, Ballymun Child and Family Resource Centre, Tusla PPFS Dublin North, St. Helena’s FRC, YPAR, Ballymun Network for Assisting Children and Young People, Stoneybatter Youth Service, Barnardos, Aoibhneas, Women’s Aid, Daughters of Charity Child and Family Services including Dublin Safer Families, Family Support Network, Finglas and Cabra School Completion Programmes, Dublin City Council, HSE Public Health Nursing.

This subgroup has the following objectives until 2020:

  • To promote and develop where necessary, parenting and family programmes targeted for parents and carers.
  • To enhance links with/ initiate cross-area actions with Child and Family Support Networks
  • To increase number of Meitheal in Dublin City North.
  • To increase awareness of and enhance supports provided to children and families affected by domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
  • To build awareness and capacity amongst workers to respond to child to parent violence using the Non-Violent Resistance Training. 

 
Outcome 4: Economic Security and Opportunity

Chair: Cliodhna Mahony (Interim)

Members: Dublin North West Area Partnership; Innovate Dublin; CDETB; Northside Partnership and Educational Welfare Service.

This subgroup, for 2018, focussed on the roll out of the Time to Shine Programme, an upskilling programme for lone parents, established by Dublin North West Area Partnership. While a number of objectives are built into the subgroup as below, these will be reconsidered moving forward for 2019, to reflect the active landscape within this area in Dublin City North.

  • To increase skills and further options for employment/training development for Lone Parents.
  • To pilot early education and career initiatives within primary and secondary schools.
  • To build capacity for a joint response to those Not in Education, Employment or Training in DCN.

Outcome 5: Connected, Respected and Contributing

Chair: Paul Flynn, YPAR /Crosscare

Members: Barnardos, Respond Housing, Early Learning Institute, Schools, School Completion Programme, Tusla PPFS, Cabra for Youth, Jigsaw, Foróige, EPIC.

The following objectives relate to this subgroup:

  • To build and strengthen child/youth participation awareness and practice within services
  • To identify advisory councils/youth leadership models of practice.
  • To increase links with existing structures such as Comhairle na nÓg, National Youth Council of Ireland, and Children’s Rights Alliance.

Change Management and Cross-Collaboration

The focus is this section is to recognise the cross-priorities that support the CYPSC structure, its goals and objectives, and ways of working. These objectives include the following:

  • To advocate for appropriate service provision and resources within DCN to meet the needs of children, young people and families.
  • Full engagement of relevant senior personnel at CYPSC meetings
  • To improve services and supports in Dublin’s North East Inner City, through subgroup 3 of the NEIC Initiative of the Dept. of An Taoiseach.
  • To act as a pilot site for the development of a Tusla Information Hub of online data and information.  
  • To develop a publically available online database of services and resources available to children, young people and families across Dublin.
  • To develop a critical incident protocol for Dublin City North in collaboration with local, regional, and national structures.

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