Intergrated Services Process (ISP) – Government led initiative in ‘To develop new procedures to ensure a more focused and better co-ordinated response by statutory authorities, to the needs of the communities with the greatest level of disadvantage’. Londubh Project Where We Began

Londubh Project The ISP – consultation between statutory, voluntary and community based projects in order to highlight the areas of need. Situating the schools – St. Michael’s Estate, Inchicore. Naming the needs. Setting up the Project.

Londubh Project Philosophy The Londubh Project works in a holistic manner, during and after school hours to provide a secure and nurturing environment in which the children’s needs can be addressed.

Londubh Project Objectives We aim: To work holistically with children who may be experiencing difficulties at school or who may be at risk of early school leaving. To respond to the children’s social and emotional problems in providing personal and small group support. To enhance the child’s ability to function in the school and other environments. To support parents and teachers to ensure that each child’s needs are best met.

Londubh Project An Inter-Agency Approach Underpinning the Londubh Projects structure is an interagency framework that can be seen as integral to its success. INTERAGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INTERAGENCY MONITORING COMMITTEE REFERRAL/PLANNNING/EVALUATION

Londubh Project An Inter-Agency Approach Local Community Our Lady of Lourdes NS HSE Social Work Dept Juvenile Liaison Services Local Community Drugs Team INTERAGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Canal Communities Partnership Londubh Project Staff St. Michael’s Parish Youth Project Home/School/Community Liaison Officer

Londubh Project An Inter-Agency Approach In addition a unique Interagency Monitoring Committee supports the work of the Londubh Project. Our Lady of Lourdes NS HSE Social Work Dept St. James’s Child Guidance Service INTERAGENCY MONITORING COMMITTEE Juvenile Liaison Services Londubh Project Staff Hesed House Counselling Service

Londubh Project An Overview of the Work of the Project During the school year 2006/07 we worked with 78 children on a weekly basis in Our Lady of Lourdes NS. The work with the children takes the form of individual work, small group work, after school groups and summer programmes.

Londubh Project Individual Work Overall aim – to provide a supportive and safe environment for the children at school to explore issues that may be affecting them. -Self-Esteem Building -Decision Making -Relationship Building -Life Story Work -Anger Management -Non Directive Play Work -Encouraging Protective Behaviours

Londubh Project Small Groups and After-School Groups 3 to 6 children and run for 8-12 weeks depending on the programme content. Sense of belonging -this can be seen in their engagement and participation each week. Some children who were involved in group work were also being offered individual support.

Londubh Project Small Groups and After-School Groups Selection of Programmes Time To Talk - Communication Skills Development Incredible Years - Dina Dinosaur School Helping Hands - Encouraging Protective Factors & Coping Skills Positive People - Positive Self Awarness & Relationships Friends – Anxiety & Stress Management Bubble Gum Guy - Anger Management Volcano In My Tummy – Anger Management

Londubh Project Evaluation Independent Evaluation - undertaken by Partners for Transformation. This report states “Londubh is a project which is widely admired and is pointed to as an example of best practice by many of the people interviewed”.

Londubh Project Evaluation One of the main findings was that “between 93% and 97% of children participating in the programme showed some improvement in at least one area” Attendance Punctuality General Behaviour in Class/Session Participation in Class/Session Social Interaction with Peers Socail Interaction with Adults Self Confidence Motivation

Londubh Project Evaluation “Teachers assessed that 40.4% showed some improvement” in attendance and “punctuality the figures were 36.2%” improvement.

Londubh Project Evaluation – What the Children Say “Children spoke of Londubh helping them to have fun, to get on better at school, to behave well in school, to control their behaviour, to get help with problems at home and at school, and to be kind, nice and good”.

Londubh Project Evaluation – What the Parents Say “Londubh is an independent, non- judgemental body in the school. I’d look for (them) if there is a problem” “Londubh is just another part of the school to the children, they love it” Fantastic. You could approach them at any stage…They never push anything. They listen & advise”

Londubh Project Lessons Learned Along The Way Agency rather than person dependent. Ownership of the vision is vital. Planning time/Evaluation time. In school but not “of school”. It takes time – patience & flexibility If children engage, attendance improves.