New parents hub is launched in Wexford
THE Child and Family Protection Agency, Tusla, has launched an online parental support portal called Wexford Parents Hub which it says will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ support initiative.
The launch took place in the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy and a spokesperson for the organisation said the hub will provide information for parents about supports available in addition to other programmes and events in their local area.
The new online hub will contain information about supports like the new Wexford Family Support drop-in services, the Parenting 24 Seven website, and a variety of parenting courses in the county.
The Wexford Parents Hub was established by Wexford Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) in collaboration with Tusla and Barnardos who identified a need for a central source of information on parenting supports in county Wexford.
Speaking about the Hub the Tusla Area Manager for Waterford and Wexford, Vincent Daly, said it’s comprised of community and statutory services which together provide a wide range of supports aimed at various levels of need.
‘We hope by improving the accessibility of parenting programmes to all parents in Wexford we can help them secure the right supports when they need it most,’ said Mr Daly.
In addition to marking the launch of the hub the event in Enniscorthy also included the launch of the new Family Support Drop-In-Service in Wexford.
It provides free and confidential services across the town and county for parents and carers to discuss a concern or issue they have about their child.
Through the service, parents will be able to access guidance and support on a range of issues affecting children aged up to 18 years including behavioural difficulties, parenting dilemmas, and concerns around drug and alcohol abuse.
The Senior Manager for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) for Wexford and Waterford, Tony Kennedy, said Tusla is ‘proactively supporting families in Wexford through a range of specialist services’.
‘The Wexford Family Support Drop-In Service is part of Tusla’s Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) programme which works with families to resolve problems at an early stage in order to improve outcomes for children, young people and families,’ said Mr Kennedy.
‘The service is unique as it provides confidential, informal support to parents and carers who may have a concern about their child, in a non-judgemental environment,’ he added.
‘The hope is that parents and carers can address issues early, before they become a problem.’
Barnardos Assistant Director for the South East, Catherine Joyce, also spoke about the launch and said her organisation is pleased to be working in partnership with Tusla and CYPSC on the new service.
‘There is a growing population of young people in Wexford that has led to a greater need for support and advice for parents,’ she said.
‘We all know parenting can be tough at times and this new service gives parents an easy and accessible way to have their parenting questions responded to.’
The Tusla PPFS team has set up six ‘Family Support Drop-In services’ in the county: Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford, New Ross, Taghmon and Raheen.