Parenting and Family Supports

About the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme (PPFS)

Family support services are for families and individuals who need help. Family life is not always easy. Life events like birth, death, depression, redundancy, separation, illness, abuse or financial problems all put stress and strain on family life and relationships.

In addition to our remit in child protection, we operate the PPFS programme which  aims to helps stop problems experienced by children and families from getting worse, or from developing into a crisis. Our PPFS programme has a number of comprehensive and accessible low, medium and high prevention services including Meitheal, the Parenting24seven.ie website, Parenting Support Champions/parenting supports, Family Resource Centres, Creative Community Alternatives, and funding for child, youth participation and parental projects.

Tusla is making a big and very positive difference in the lives of the people we work with. Take a look at what the PPFS programme has achieved so far.

Tusla child and family support services work collaboratively – with local, community, voluntary and statutory agencies - to strengthen families and communities, help families achieve their potential, and keep children safe from harm.

Tusla empowers children, families and young people to form decisions that create healthy family wellbeing. Parents can turn to Tusla for appropriate and available assistance, as Tusla and its partners will work with families and children in time of need - as part of its PPFS programme.Tusla is evolving - and is deeply committed to achieving better outcomes in its continuous work with children and families.

Tusla has a comprehensive record of success in early intervention and prevention services in Ireland.

• More than 18,900 children in Ireland received a family support service from Tusla from January to June 2018.
• A total of 802 Meitheal processes were requested in the same period.
• There are now 103 Child and Family Support Networks in Ireland, with a further 20 planned.
• The number of Family Resource Centres in Ireland is set to grow from 109 to 120 this year.

Our family support services strengthen positive informal social networks through community based programmes and services.  The main focus of these services is on early intervention aiming to promote and protect the health, well-being and rights of all children, young people and their families. In addition, particular attention is given to those who are vulnerable or at risk of harm. All concerns are dealt with in confidence by trained personnel who will give the appropriate support, advice and help. Click here to contact a social worker.