Childcare Services
SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN
It is widely acknowledged by agencies providing front line services that there is a gap in the provision of services for children who have lived with domestic violence. Women who come in contact with this Service frequently ask “is there anything for children?” Services provided by the Child Psychology Dept. of the WHB, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) and the Family Centre in Castlebar have been availed of since the beginning. In 2001, private funding became available for one year which facilitated the appointment of a child care worker. A support programme for children is now part of the Service and includes the following components:
· Free play;
· A structured programme for children who wish to avail of it and whose mothers agree to it;
· A Family Violence programme which was run in Ballina in cooperation with Mayo Community Services (WHB). This was for children and their mothers who have lived with domestic violence.
Free Play
Free play sessions are facilitated for children who are staying in the refuge accommodation and for children whose mothers are using the outreach service.
Structured Programme
This is also available to children who are staying in the refuge accommodation and to children whose mothers are using the outreach service. It runs for seven weeks and mothers “sign up” to it. It can take place with an individual child or in a group and uses art-work and discussion to address areas such as: change/changes in the family; expressing and masking feelings; recognising parents’ feelings; rights of children; increasing confidence and self-esteem; ways of staying safe. Changes are made to the programme depending on the age of the child/children involved.
Family Violence Programme
This programme was planned and carried out by two workers from this Service and four workers from Mayo Community Services (WHB). It was supported financially by the WHB and based in the premises of the Community Development Project in Ballina. The model used for the programme was based on ‘Group work with Children who have Witnessed Domestic Violence’.
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