Barnardos Teen Parents Support Programme, Finglas

Informal referrals accepted: Yes

Formal referrals accepted: Yes

Referrals accepted from: Young parents, Family members, Maternity Hospitals, Schools in Finglas and Finglas School Completion programme, HSE Community Care Team – SW, PHN, CWO, HSE Primary Care Team, Finglas community based projects, Youth services in Finglas, Other agencies and professionals.

How to make a referral: Both self referrals and professional referrals are accepted all year round and once accepted to the project, they are placed on the waiting list. Where there are places available, the young parent will be offered a place on the weekly young parents group while they are awaiting individual support. This group protects against social isolation, provides peer support with creative and fun activities, advice on the different stages of pregnancy and parenting, and support with education and life skills.

Professional Referrals:
When a professional or agency referral is received, it is acknowledged by letter/phone call within 2 weeks and advised of the date of the next referral committee meeting. Also, an information pack is sent to the referrer which they are asked to give to the young parent or the parent to be. The referral is then placed on the waiting list.
The TPSP Project Leader/Project Worker will ensure that they have met with the young parent prior to the referral committee meeting to gain consent for participation in the programme, and if they are under 18 years of age they will also gain consent of a parent/guardian. The Project Leader will also ensure that the referral form is fully completed and will seek any additional information from the referring agent as appropriate.

Self Referrals:
For self referrals the project staff will have an initial meeting within 4-6 weeks with the young parent and their parent/guardian if they are under 18 years of age, to assess their needs using the TPSP’s General Assessment Form. The Young Parent will also receive information on Finglas TPSP and an information pack.

Centre Overview

Barnardos Finglas Teen Parents Programme provides preventative support services for both the young parents and their children. The TPSP targets young people who become parents when they are aged 19 years or younger and generally supports them until their children are 2 years of age. It also provides support to young people at risk of becoming pregnant.
The Finglas Teen Parents Support Programme (FTPSP) was established in October 2007.

The Project is part of the National Teen Parents Support Programme www.treoir.ie which was established on a pilot basis in 1999, by the Department of Health and Children under the “Children at Risk” strand of the National Childcare Investment Strategy (1998). The Programme is now run in over 11 communities throughout the country. Barnardos is managing three of these programmes.

Key Aims & Objectives of Service

• To provide a needs led outcome focused service to teen parents and their children.
• To support teen parents, especially mothers, to return or remain in education or training.
• To support the physical health, emotional well being and learning and development of the child and the mother.
• To promote and support the involvement of young fathers. To work preventatively with at risk teens.
• To work collaboratively with existing services in response to the needs of teen parents and their children.
• To identify gaps in services for teen parents in the area.

Services Provided

• Information, advice and practical support with childcare, transport, appointments, welfare entitlements, parenting.
• Targeted needs led one to one support with parents/grandparents, parent/child.
• Group Work: relationships and sexual health; peer to peer support; parenting.
• Support to return or re-enter education, career planning, CV preparation, accessing training courses.
• Identify and access financial support for young mothers remaining in education.
• Preventative work in schools, youth groups using the “Squashy Couch Model” of RSE designed for use with teenagers.
• Referral to specialist services as needed.

Group Supports Available:
• Parent and Child Drop In – Parent and Child Play Sessions followed by tea and a snack with advice and information if needed. This is led by FTPSP and FYRC on Monday afternoons.
• Yummy Mummies – Young Mothers Support Group with educational programmes and fun activities accompanied by onsite childcare. This is led by FTPSP and FYRC on Wednesday afternoons.
• Young Fathers Group – Young Fathers Support Group with educational programmes and fun activities. This is led by FYRC and The Den on Thursday evenings with regular TPSP referral and input.