Youth Advocate Programme

Informal referrals accepted: No

Formal referrals accepted: No

Referrals accepted from: HSE only

How to make a referral: YAP Referral form through Gatekeeping system. Different Gatekeeper for Dublin North City and County but generally Principal Social Worker. Monthly meetings for allocation of referrals. Contact office for further information.

Centre Overview

YAP is a leading provider of intensive support programmes for young people and families. YAP Ireland uses a strengths based, family focused approach for young people with complex needs, leading to positive outcomes for the young people, their families and referral agents.

- Strengths based, needs -led, wraparound, intensive support model with proven success;
- Flexibility of the service;
- “No eject, no reject policy” and never give-up approach;
- One-to-one support for up to 15 hours per week;
- The ability to take in emergency cases and respond rapidly - e.g. Crisis Intervention Service;
- Six month model. The model means that new referrals are matched regularly without the service becoming blocked with long term cases;
- Ability to provide a service in both urban and rural areas where there are fewer services for young people, families and other services to rely on when children are at risk;
- On-call service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year;
- Recruit, train and employ advocates from local communities on a fixed term basis;
- Outcomes measurement systems in place measuring the impact of the YAP service on young people and families;
- YAP Ireland carries out monitoring of the service twice during the lifetime of the case to ensure that parents/carers are happy with the service;
- Can use existing management structures to set up services in new areas.

Key Aims & Objectives of Service

YAP Ireland's mission is to build partnerships between vulnerable young people, their families and communities to support their full potential through a community based, strengths focused, intensive support model which provides a more effective and economic alternative to society's reliance on the direct provision of state institutions and out-of-home care services.

The YAP Model is a unique way of providing intensive, focused support to children, young people and families with a range of needs.
The model is based upon the development of a trust relationship built between a supportive, trained, skilled adult advocate, the young person and their family.
An individual service plan based on the strengths of the young person and their family is developed and offers a wraparound approach to address all aspects of the needs of the young person within their family and local community.
YAP’s goal is to empower young people and their families with supports that will remain in place after programme involvement has ended.
The model is flexible and can be adapted to meet the needs of a wide range of client groups.

Services Provided

Intensive Support Programme is provided to young people aged 10-18 years at high risk of placement in care, secure care and custody (Level 3 and 4 on the Hardiker Scale). It provides intensive support of up to 15 hours a week for 6 months for the young person and family.
Family Support Programme is provided to families in need of time-limited, focused support (Level 3 and 4 on the Hardiker Scale). The service provides support of 8 hours a week for 4 months focusing on goals set with the family.
Aftercare Support Programme is provided to young people aged between 17 and 19 years who meet HSE criteria for Aftercare support. It provides support of 8 hours a week for 6 months to support the transition from care to independent living.
Access Support Programme facilitates transport and support for children and families who are involved in access arrangements as agreed with the HSE.
Crisis Intervention Service aims to provide a rapid response to a young person aged 8-18 years in crisis for a specific time period.