Give support to over
people and their families through our Traveller Primary Healthcare Programme
Provide support to almost
people through our disabilities services
Support over
hours of direct support to families across Ireland
Work alongside almost people through our justice services
Engage with over schoolchildren through our Problem Gambling project
Engage with over families through our programmes
people in need Deliver almost
Provide almost
young people with training and development opportunities
We believe another chance can change a life. Each year we speak up for, and support, almost 25,000 children, young people, individuals and families across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. We enable people to overcome their challenges, empower positive change and support family unity. In this directory, we list the services we are currently offering within the Republic of Ireland. To find out more about these and our other work, please visit www.extern.org or call, tel: +00353 (0)45 878 720
Extern Ireland delivers services in 28 counties across the island of Ireland
x*The names have been changed in the service user stories throughout this report to protect the identities of those involved.
The photos we have used are for illustration only and should not be taken as bearing any resemblance to those people involved in our narrative.
Sligo
Mayo Roscommon Galway
Clare
Leitrim
Cavan
Longford
Westmeath
Offaly
Tipperary
Limerick
Kerry Cork
Waterford
Wexford Kilkenny
Carlow
Wicklow
Kildare Dublin
Meath
Louth
Laois
Monaghan
Donegal
Antrim
Armagh
Derry Down
Fermanagh
Tyrone
LOCATION: Dublin City North, Kildare, South East Dublin & Wicklow
IHSS is a home-based service which focuses on strengthening family unity, sustaining young people at home and helping the family to develop positive, healthy relationships. Staff provide intensive support, seven days a week, within a domestic setting, at times when families are in most need, for example if a parent is struggling with a night-time or morning routine for their children, or finding weekends a particular challenge. Likewise, support is provided if a family is encountering difficulties in managing young people due to absconding, staying out late, getting into trouble with the Garda, misbehaving at school or due to substance abuse. The programme works on a 12-month cycle, with one staff member assigned to work alongside the parents, while another works with the children.
IHSS stems from the creation of Creative Community Alternatives, a new fund from Tusla, the Child & Family Agency. Referrals are made through the local Tusla Social Work department.
Dublin City North - Tel: +353 (0) 86 777 7400
Email: clare.oconnor@extern.org
Kildare, West Wicklow & South West Dublin - Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1872 or +353 (0)45 878720
Email: dermot.berry@extern.org
South East Dublin & Wicklow - Tel: +353 (0)86 386 0687 or +353 (1) 276 3446
Email: paul.kiernan@extern.org
LOCATION: Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Kildare, Wicklow, Dublin, Louth, Galway, Roscommon, Cavan
Our Janus programme works intensively on a one-to-one basis with young people aged 1017, who are living in the community or within the care system, and whose behaviour is challenging. Extern provides an individually-tailored programme to support them to remain at home or at the lowest level within the care system. The project is aimed at improving young people’s social functioning, community inclusion and family relationships. While on the programme, young people will be offered a range of sessions including special interest activities, day trips and specific individual work. The programme also provides respite overnights which focus on independent living skills, social skills development, provision of respite and problem solving approaches. Referrals are made through the local Tusla Social Work department.
Limerick, Clare & Tipperary - Tel: +353 (0) 86 383 1859 or +353 (0)61 457222
Email: brendan.mcnamara@extern.org
Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath
Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1872 +353 (0)45 878720 Email: dermot.berry@extern.org
Kildare, West Wicklow & South West Dublin
Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1872 +353 (0)45 878720 Email: dermot.berry@extern.org
Dublin South Central - Tel: + 353 (1) 086 383 1891 or + 353 (1) 643 4563
Email: sarah.cape@extern.org
Louth - Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1898 Email: colin.mccusker@extern.org
Galway/Roscommon - Tel +353 (0) 86 853 0532 Email: niamh.donnellon@extern.org
Cavan - Tel +353 (0)86 383 1898 Email: colin.mccusker@extern.org
Dublin City North, North Dublin
Tel: +353 (0) 86 777 7400 Email: clare.oconnor@extern.org
South East Dublin & Wicklow
Tel: +353 (0)86 386 0687 or +353 (1) 276 3446 Email: paul.kiernan@extern.org
with the young person, their family, and positive supports within the community to identify alternative pathways for the young people concerned. This may be through the use of existing community resources or exploring opportunities for each young person through education, training or employment. As well as intensive face to face support from staff there is 24/7 phone support. The project also provides young people and their families with access to one of Extern’s respite facilities. This provides a short period of respite, based on the needs of the service users, from the pressures and stresses that both the young person, and their family might be under. It provides a quiet space and time, free from distraction where staff can support the service user to think through any issues they are struggling with and help them find long-term sustainable solutions.
Tel: +353 (0) 86 461 3571 Email: liz.cronin@extern.org
YOUTH SUPPORT
LOCATION: Dublin City North
Our Youth Support service is designed to provide individually tailored support to young people age 8 to 13 years to prevent their entry into care, or their progression through the care system to higher level interventions. The programme also seeks to enable each young person to engage positively within their community and to promote and enable strong family relationships. The Youth Support programme also supports young people returning home to live in the community from a care environment. The programme works with young people on a one-to-one and group setting, which meets their individual needs but also develops their social skills and relationship-building skills.
Tel: +353 (0) 86 777 7400 Email: clare.oconnor@extern.org
The Haven is one of a number of respite facilities within Extern. Situated in Roscommon on the banks of Oakport Lough, The Haven is used by Extern’s projects in the Republic of Ireland to provide respite to service users and their families. The respite can be for up to three nights at a time, and provides valuable time for young people and, in some cases, their families to get away from the pressures they face. At The Haven young people and families can relax in a quiet and supportive atmosphere, and spend time with Extern’s dedicated staff working on how they can solve some of the difficulties they face. While at The Haven they can also avail of the local activities, or simply re-connect as a family and enjoy the peace and tranquillity the space provides.
Tel: +353 (0) 86 383 1898 Email: colin.mccusker@extern.org
KINNAHALLA YOUTH VILLAGE
LOCATION: Hilltown, Co Down
Kinnahalla Youth Village sits at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, amid picturesque landscape which helps to create a peaceful atmosphere which is ideal for the work we undertake with individuals, families and groups. The site was acquired in 2001 and since then has been developed continuously in order to provide a high quality accommodation and complementary support facilities. Young people from across Ireland visiting the youth village can avail of a bespoke residential programme specific to their needs. Our qualified and experienced staff deliver programmes aimed at developing social and interpersonal skills and independent living skills development. These programmes are delivered in a fun and engaging environment alongside a range of outdoor and indoor activities.
Tel: +44 (0)7484 536616 Email: conor.mccallion@extern.org
given the opportunity to enjoy more than 50 fun water and land-based activities, which act as a conduit for the delivery of life-changing psychological and social care interventions by Extern’s experienced staff. Each young person attending is encouraged to develop social and interpersonal skills and depending on age and ability they take part in independent living skills development. Referrals to this service are usually via social services.
Tel: +44 (0)28 7126 2104 Email: info@extern.org
SAVANNAH HOUSE
LOCATION: Co Kildare
Savannah House is a residential facility which provides overnight stays to young people who are living at home with parents or in a stable care arrangement. Our focus is to provide a recreational break for young people to learn life skills, as well as independent living skills, and develop pro-social behaviours. The house is also equipped to provide a break to parents, and offers a relaxed homely environment which encourages positive family interaction and an opportunity for parental guidance and skills enhancement.
Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1891 Email: sarah.cape@extern.org
TIME OUT PROGRAMME
LOCATION: Co Limerick, Co Fermanagh, Co Down
Our Time Out programme offers respite, safety and support to children (aged 8-17) and their families. Working in partnership with social workers, the service responds to crisis and offers a sanctuary for young people who need time in a safe place where they can reflect and feel valued. Time Out provides the social worker and carers with time to identify the stressors and to connect with support. Time Out staff are trained in a range of skillsets and are highly attuned to what works when providing support to children who have experienced trauma. All referrals are via social work departments.
ROI: Limerick & Mid-West - Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1859 Email: brendan.mcnamara@extern.org
NI: Western Trust - Tel: +44 (0)28 7126 2104 Email: glenn.hetherington@extern.org
NI: Northern, Belfast & SE Trusts - Tel: +44 (0)7484 536616 Email: conor.mccallion@extern.org
with our day-to-day lives – things like establishing a good family routine, budgeting our money and getting the children to school on a regular basis.
The team supported us hugely through weekly sessions and activities with the kids. They helped me to become more organised and to work on my parenting skills.
They have been a great support emotionally too. My coping skills are much better, and I no longer feel in a dark place. I’m happier and I get out of the house more often. I always make sure my children don’t miss appointments and that they have everything they need.
With the help of Extern I have put so much time into improving my home and worked very hard in all aspects of my life. I can now make a phone call confidently and manage my own responsibilities whereas before I would have let other people do those things for me.
I am so proud of how far we have all come. We wouldn’t be where we are without Extern – they have been the best thing that has ever happened to my family.
Parent,
Intensive Home Support Service, Dublin
YOUTH DIVERSION PROJECT (YDP)
LOCATION: Naas and Athy, Limerick, Raheny (North Dublin)
Our YDPs work with young people (aged 12-17) at risk of, or who are involved in, anti-social and/or criminal behaviour, helping them to stop their offending and become positive contributors to society. The projects offer opportunities for education, employment and training as well as sport, art, music and other activities. The service is flexible and provided on days and times that best meet the needs of the service users, including evenings. Likewise, we can bring the services to them rather than relying on them ‘self-presenting’. Diversions in the form of overnight stays are also used to get young people out of their everyday environments and provide opportunities for learning and development. Referrals are made through a Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO), Education Welfare Officer, school or Youthreach programme, community organisations or self-referral from families and young people.
We have four YDPs in:
Athy - Tel: +353 (0)86 014 9375 Email: eimear.flood@extern.org
Limerick - Tel: +353 (0)86 386 0763 Email: michelle.kennedy@extern.org
Naas – Tel: +353 (0)86 014 9375 or +353 (0)45 878720 Email: eimear.flood@extern.org
Raheny - Tel: +353 (0) 86 777 7400 Email: clare.oconnor@extern.org
The Bail Supervision Scheme (BSS) offers courts an alternative option to detaining a young person by offering them the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision. By reducing the need for remand places, this also provides an opportunity to focus on developing successful community resources designed to prevent young people being detained in a youth justice facility and preventing them from entering further down the path of criminality. Referrals can be made through the Courts Service of Ireland, as well as Probation Services and Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers. Central to the delivery of the BSS is the use of the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) model. This family-based model seeks to change how young people function in their home, school and community, in ways that promote positive social behaviour, while reducing levels of anti-social behaviour. The delivery of MST is typically home-based, and therapists have small caseloads of four to six families which enable them to work intensively with each family, typically over a three to five month period. The project has also been enhanced by the addition of a new strand which builds upon the work of Extern’s Janus Justice programme. Where the MST element is designed for young people who are living at home with a caregiver, the Janus Justice model caters for young people who are living in residential care, supported accommodation or living independently (i.e. not living at home with a caregiver).
Dublin – Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1890 Email: gerard.stuart@extern.org
Cork - Tel: +353 (0) 86 0756456 Email: janice.hickey@extern.org
Limerick - Tel: +353 (0)86 386 0763 Email: michelle.kennedy@extern.org
JANUS JUSTICE
LOCATION: Limerick City
Janus Justice provides an intensive individualised programme to develop pro-social skills, improve community involvement, provide learning opportunities, and improve relationships within the home. Young people currently attending YDPs across Limerick City who are assessed as medium to high risk, and their families, can be referred to the project for additional support. Young people who have been charged and placed on probation can also be referred to the project to help address their offending behaviour. The programme meets specific individual needs by developing pro-social behaviours, resiliency and positive community interactions. This is delivered through individual work, activities, day trips, and overnight stays. Referrals are made through a Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) or Probation Services. Tel: +353 (0)86 386 0763 Email: michelle.kennedy@extern.org
LOCATION: Co Waterford, servicing across Ireland
The Extern Problem Gambling project supports people who have been negatively impacted by problem gambling, through providing supports, resources and referral pathways for problem gamblers and their families. The project advocates on behalf of those suffering the consequences of problem gambling, and highlights gambling-related issues in the media. It also actively lobbies for the introduction of fit-for-purpose gambling legislation and regulation in Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0) 89 241 5401 Email: info@problemgambling.ie
I was a dad, a husband and a friend to many. People would have described me as fun-loving, kind and caring. But behind it all I was dealing with an escalating addiction to gambling which had lasted for years.
It got to the point where I contemplated taking my own life. Thankfully, I managed to get support and was admitted to hospital, which is where I first heard about Extern Problem Gambling.
I listened to every episode of the Problem Gambling Podcast and it was a relief to hear other people’s stories about their gambling addictions and how they have turned their lives around.
I reached out to the team, and they came back to me quickly. That was the first of many steps I took towards managing my problem gambling - now, I had a professional to speak to when I got out of hospital, which was a great start for me. Mentally, this was so uplifting for myself and my family.
Declan, Extern Problem Gambling, DublinMINORITY COMMUNITIES
TRAVELLER PRIMARY HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PROJECT LOCATION: Co Cavan & Co Meath
The Traveller Primary Health Care programme is aimed at improving the health outcomes of members of the Traveller Community in Cavan and Meath. Staffed by members of the Traveller Community, the programme runs regular meetings and events aimed at promoting practical and important healthcare initiatives. Issues such as mental health are also key areas of work for the project, with home visits and awareness sessions being held. Our project acknowledges that Travellers have a right to appropriate access to healthcare services, which take into account their particular needs, culture and way of life.
Tel: +353 (0)86 383 1898 or +353 (0) 49 4327510 Email: colin.mccusker@extern.org
I was going through depression and anxiety as well as being socially isolated. I stayed at home all day and had no motivation to do anything.
The Traveller team supported me with getting out more and trying new things like exercise classes, mindfulness, self-care, healthy eating and art. Thanks to this I’ve become more active and self-aware of health for myself and my family.
It has also helped me to interact more with other members of the Traveller community and to connect with services. I now feel more comfortable going into public places such as cafes, libraries and resource centres – those are places where I would have felt judged before because of my Traveller background.
Extern has helped me build my self-confidence and motivation levels. I had no structure or routine before, but I now enjoy going to the groups. It has also made me understand and respect my heritage more, and helped me to interact with more people from the Traveller community.
Caoimhe,
Traveller Healthcare Programme, CavanEXTERN OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICE (EOSS) EXTERN DISABILITY RESPITE SERVICE (EDRS)
LOCATION: Mid-West
In partnership with the HSE’s Disability Services, the EOSS and EDRS services support children, young people and adults, with an intellectual disability or autism and who may find it challenging to integrate into traditional social, educational or community systems. EOSS and EDRS are aligned with the HSE’s New Directions Principles, which include important elements such as personcentredness, community inclusion and active citizenship.
Through EOSS we:
- Offer a needs-led, creative, inclusive and flexible approach to service user needs.
- Support service users to be active independent members of their own communities.
- Develop and implement bespoke independent living skills programmes.
- Respond to behaviours of concern in line with a positive behaviour support model.
- Support individuals to develop positive coping strategies during times of crisis.
- Provide the opportunity for individuals to engage in activities and time away from home to promote health and wellbeing and maintain sustainable home placements. This is achieved through a combination of individual outreach work, integration into community networks, special interest activities, day trips, respite and day care support.
EOSS contact: Bryan Gough Tel: +353 (0)86 008 2042 Email: bryan.gough@extern.org
EDRS contact: Louise Casey Tel: +353 (0)86 136 0153 Email: louise.casey@extern.org
We are most grateful for the support of the following:
