The Meitheal and Child and Family Support Networks (CFSN) Process and Outcomes Study: Understanding the impact of prevention and early intervention within the Irish child welfare system

Leonor Rodriguez

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

Leonor is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and is part of the Mainstreaming and Development Programme, specifically in the Meitheal and Child and Family Networks Evaluation. She has experience in health and clinical psychology working with families, children and young people that experience chronic illness and completed a Maters in Clinical and Health Psychology in the University of Costa Rica. Leonor completed her PhD in the School of Psychology, NUI Galway entitled: ‘Understanding adolescent adjustment to maternal cancer: A study of personal experiences and psychological factors that promote adjustment’.

Anne Cassidy

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

Anne Cassidy is a postdoctoral researcher working on the Mainstreaming and Development Programme with particular responsibility for the Meitheal and Child and Family Networks Evaluation. She is also part of the Centre’s UNESCO Youth Research Group. She is an experienced researcher with interests in a range of subjects including rural youth sociology, gender, community development and transitions to adulthood.Prior to her current post she held a postdoctoral research position in a joint Teagasc-NUIG project on increasing women’s participation in agriculture. She has also worked across various adult education programmes in NUI Galway.She has a BA in History and Sociology and Politics, an MA in Community Development and a PhD in Child and Youth Research (all from NUI Galway).

Carmel Devaney

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

Carmel is a Lecturer and Course Director of the Master Degree in Family Support Studies in the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, School of Political Science and Sociology, at NUI Galway.Carmel is Principal Investigator on a number of research and evaluation projects under the Partnership, Prevention and Family Support programme for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, (previously the HSE). In recent years, Carmel has been lead researcher on a number of projects for Tusla and has designed and delivered a number of Family Support training initiatives for managers and practitioners. Carmel has also worked for many years in children and family services as both a practitioner and manager. Carmel’s recent publications and conference presentations are in the area of Family Support, child welfare and protection, and wellbeing. Carmel holds a BA in Social Studies (DIT), an MA in Family Support Studies (NUI Galway), and a PhD (NUI, Galway).

Abstract

Since the creation of the Irish Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in 2014 there has been a major change process underway in the protection and welfare system; from a interventionist approach to one which emphasizes prevention and early intervention. The Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme was developed by Tusla to enhance the system of early intervention and prevention focusing on five different areas: Parental support, Participation, Public awareness, Commissioning and the Meitheal model and the Child and Family Support Networks (CFSNs).

Meitheal is a national practice model to identify and respond to the needs of children and families. It is an early intervention response tailored to the needs of a child or young person. This study is focused on evaluating the impact of Meitheal and the associated CFSNs in responding to the needs of families and the impact this has on the overall child welfare system in Ireland.

This is an exploratory, longitudinal, mixed methods study which is being conducted nationwide during the first half of 2017. Parents and Children’s wellbeing outcomes will be measured quantitatively and analysed using a combination of bivariate and multivariate analysis. Qualitative methodologies including interviews and participatory methods for children and young people and practitioners will be used to consider the experience of being involved in the model and the overall child welfare system. Secondary analysis of child protection and welfare databases will provide an understanding of the impact of the model and CFSNs on the overall system of help provision.

The Study will provide a detailed description of the implementation and impact of Meitheal.

It will provide evidence on the impact of integrated, preventative, evidence informed interventions on outcomes for children, young people and families.

It will also depict the implications of this change process within the child protection and welfare system.

Authors

Leonor Rodriguez (UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre)
Anne Cassidy (UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre)
Carmel Devaney (UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre)

Topic Area

Other

Session

Session 2 » Oral (14:15 - Monday, 2nd October, Antarctica Room)

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