Childhood Development Initiative

1
Childhood Development Initiative

• Presentation to TCD MA in
• Child Protection

2
Background

• A community led initiative
• Strategy developed by an inter-agency Consortium
  of 23 people
• Wide research and consultation over 3 years
• Jointly funded by OMCYA and AP 15m over 5 years.

3
Service Overview

• Early Years Childcare and Education Programme
• After schools Doodle Den programme to promote
  literacy
• After schools Mate-Tricks programme to promote
  pro-social behaviour
• Healthy Schools Programme
• Community Safety Initiative
• Quality Enhancement Programme.

4
Underpinning Principles

• Informed by and in consultation with those living
  and working in West Tallaght
• That the project will enhance inter-agency
  relationships and promote integration
• That the learning will inform future policy,
  curriculum development and practitioner supports
• That services will continue beyond the life of
  the project
• That services will be rigorously evaluated.

5
Context for the Implementation Phase

• Collective amnesia!
• Childrens Services Committee
• Economic downturn.

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CDI Governance Chart
7
Unique Elements

• Manualised approach
• Randomised Control Trials
• EU Procurement Regulations.

8
Early Years Service Focus

• 2 Year programme for 240 three and four year old
  children
• Highscope Programme for children
• Parent education component Parents Plus
• Dedicated Speech Language Therapist
• Parent-Carer Facilitator for every 20 children.

9
Early Years Service Current Situation

• Test site commenced early November 07
• Services indicated expression of interest to
  participate in May 2008
• Randomly selected into control and intervention
  groups
• Services commenced delivery September 2008. Two
  new services delayed start date to November.

10
Early Years CDI Provision September 2008-2010
11
Early Years Current Issues

• Lack of clarity regarding financial and
  accessibility issues from Government Subvention
• Identifying new facilities for 2009
• Engaging remaining existing services for 2009
• Implementing the Siolta Quality Framework
• Promoting take-up of Early Years services amongst
  parents.

12
Doodle Den Programme Literacy

• One year programme for 5-6 year olds
• Roll out to 7 groups of 15 in September 2008 i.e.
  105 children annually
• 3 intakes in total
• Library support included in programme
• Delivery by a teacher and youth worker.

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Benefits

• Aims to improve literacy skills, school
  attendance, relationships and broader learning
• Children- 3 sessions a week
• Parents home learning environment and
  supporting their childs education
• Staff- training on innovative methods
• Support for inter-agency work.

14
Issues

• Ensuring understanding of and cooperation with
  RCT
• Supporting inter-agency partnership
• Parental consent
• School referrals.

15
Mate-Tricks Programme Prosocial Behaviour

• Social skills programme
• Targeting 4th class
• Roll out to 7 groups of 15 in November 2008 i.e.
  105 children
• 3 intakes overall.

16
Benefits

• Aims to improve pro-social skills, personal
  development e.g. self esteem, reduce bullying and
  increase positive parent child relationships
• Children 2 sessions a week
• Parents developing or enhancing effective
  parenting skills
• Staff training Strengthening Families and
  Coping Power.

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Implications for Schools

• Referral of children
• Understanding and cooperating with the RCT
• Support with parental consent.

18
Healthy Schools Programme

• To support two school campuses in West Tallaght
• Two personnel employed to promote integrated
  health promotion and to improve links with
  existing services e.g. take up of appointments
• Working group established to oversee manual
  development.

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Issues

• Employment of personnel
• Management structures
• Stakeholder buy in
• Clarity of roles.

20
Community Safety Initiative

• Survey undertaken January 2008 to identify key
  issues impacting on sense of safety
• Focus groups prioritised issues and agreed
  actions
• UK model culminating in a signed contract
  regarding acceptable behaviour between those
  living and working in the community
• Steering Committee established to develop and
  drive a work plan (residents and service
  providers).

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Quality Enhancement Programme

• Offering support/training to all working in the
  community
• Audit of training needs undertaken
• Monthly lunchtime seminars commenced January
  2008
• More intensive/ongoing training planned and
  commencing delivery.

22
Staff Support

• Weekly team meetings
• Monthly individual supervision
• External facilitator monthly
• Team building and reflection time.

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Whats going well?

• Communication strategy
• Team work- common vision
• Preschool buy-in
• Solid advocacy from stakeholders
• Interface between CDIs work and the Childrens
  Services Committee
• Relationship with evaluation teams
• Lunch Time Seminars.

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Key learning to Date

• Anticipate delays!
• Balance quick wins with the long-haul
• Do a Madonna!
• Get the team right- support, clarity, review
• Hold your hands up!
• Hold the line- dont operate out of desperation!