Meitheal
Our Meitheal model has been a very big success. Using this Tusla-led early intervention national practice model we work with individual children, their parents, schools, youth services, family resource centre staff, medical practitioners, and all other parties with an interest in the child’s life, supporting them in their daily needs and developing their strengths. Examples of the challenges and issues that Meitheal can help with include:
- A child having problems in school
- A child feeling down
- A child suffering from illness or a bereavement
- A child exhibiting challenging behaviour
Meitheal is an old Irish term that describes how neighbours would come together to assist in the saving of crops or in other tasks. In a Meitheal, a lead practitioner will identify a child’s and their family’s needs and strengths and then bring together a ‘team around the child’. The team will deliver support that is properly planned, and is focused on the child’s developmental needs. The child and their family are fully involved and participating in this process at all stages.
Meitheals are usually availed of through a local Child and Family Support Network (CFSN) coordinator or with the help of a Prevention, Partnership and Family Support manager: To find out who your local contact person is click here:
|