Information about Childcare in Ireland

• The Citizens Information Board is the statutory body which supports the provision of information, advice and advocacy on a broad range of public and social services. 

  For further information:  Citizens information: Family and Relationships

• Tusla (Child and Family Agency) have developed booklets and leaflets that include some practical guidance for parents to help them navigate the early years of a child’s life while in Ireland, from pre-school childcare and the schooling system, right through to child supervision and family support services. 
  Access the booklets and leaflets here:  A short guide for parents who are newly arrived in Ireland

• Westmeath County Childcare Committee are the first point of contact for anyone seeking advice, information or support in relation to early childhood care and education within Westmeath County.
  Connect with them here Westmeath County Childcare Committee

• National Childcare Scheme (NCS) NCS provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs.
  For further information visit website here National Childcare Scheme

• Community Mothers service facilitated by Westmeath Community Development offers support to families with babies and young children.  We deliver a professional service treating all families with respect, confidentiality and empathy.  All visits take place within the family home and the service is free.

  For further information: Community Mothers

Other Family Supports Available:

Barnardos Bereavement Service provides trauma and grief support for Ukrainian parents. This webpage is in Ukrainian and is a hub for all Barnardos resources translated to Ukrainian.

Further information here: Support for bereaved Ukrainian children and families - Barnardos 

Barnardos Bereavement Support for Ukrainian children and families

Barnardos IPAS Family Support Westmeath - Barnardos offers a family support service to families in IPAS in the Westmeath area. They work with families on some of the following issues:

• Parental separation
• Children exposed to trauma
• Homelessness
• Bereavement / loss
• Domestic violence
• Parental substance abuse
• Parent-child bonding and attachment
• Parental mental health
• Children leaving state care
• Anxiety in very young children

A referral to Barnardos can be completed through a self-referral from a family or an agency referral e.g. GP/school/TUSLA/IPAS centre/LAIT.

Self referrals can also be made using the following form Barnardos Self Referral Form

The Barnardos Ireland Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP) is a needs-led family support programme tailored to the needs of young parents (ages 14 to 23) and their families, and it continues to support them until their child reaches two years of age.

The Young Parent Support Programme works closely with young parents and their children to promote and nurture their educational, emotional and social well-being. The service is available to both mothers and fathers.

Further information here: Young Parenting Support Programme - Barnardos

There is currently one IPAS Project Worker with Barnardos in Westmeath, Longford, Laois & Offaly area;

Contact: Anita Cleare, IPAS Project Worker, Phone: 086 201 3276 Email: anita.cleare@barnardos.ie 

ActionAid Ireland is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. They work with female asylum seekers in Ireland and have developed a useful Resource for one parent families living in IPAS accommodation.

ISPCC Childline offers a confidential 24-hour listening online, Text and Chat service for children and young people up to the age of 18 to talk about any issue.
Further information here: ISPCC Childline

Spunoutis Ireland’s youth information website created by young people, for young people. Articles and information for young people on many topics, including mental health.
Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to chat with a trained volunteer, any time.
Further information here: Spunout 

Jigsaw Mental health advice and support – online and in person – for young people aged 12 to 25 years old, and for parents or concerned adults. Further information here: Jigsaw