Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) Covid-19 Provision

EWS Supports during Covid Period

The network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO) continue to operate throughout the calendar year. EWO’s provide advice, guidance and support to families who are having difficulty accessing school places and where children and young people are without a school place due to expulsion, suspensions and refusal to enroll. All children of school going age are entitled to a service from an EWO, regardless of what school they are enrolled in, and children with no school place are prioritised for this service.

During Summer 2020 and in preparation for the coming school year, EWO’s are focusing on ensuring all children transitioning to primary or post primary have school places for September. If your child is still without a place for September, you should make contact with your local EWS office as soon as possible.

You can contact your local EWO by phoning the numbers below or emailing tessinfo@tusla.ie

Appeal Hearings:

Appeal Hearings under Section29 of the Education Act are still taking place in the Department of Education and Skills, however these are being held via conference call. Many families find this process challenging, and your local EWO can help support you through this process. More detail on the Appeals process can be found here.  EWO’s are also available to give advice and guidance on the Home Tuition Scheme for families who are eligible for this - click here for details.

Children in Care:

Social Workers seeking advice and guidance relating to school attendance, placement and Home Tuition for children in care can access further information  here: http://hsenet.hse.ie/childfamilyagency/CICHT_Briefing.pdf

Traveller and Roma children:

TESS is involved in a pilot  under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, which is running projects in Northside Dublin, Tuam, Wexford and Cork. The EWOs on these pilots are contactable here:

Homeless Families:

Organisations working with families experiencing homelessness or families themselves who are concerned about returning to school in September can also contact their local EWO at the numbers above. Guidance for families is available here: https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/EWS_Homeless_Leaflet_(2).pdf

Families resident in IPAS centres:

Children and young people resident in IPAS centres have the same entitlement to education as all children in the state. A dedicated IPAS EWO works alongside local EWO’s to ensure the coordination of efforts to ensure all children are enrolled in school. Parents living in IPAS settings who require the services of an EWO can contact either their local EWO through their local centre or can contact Jacinta.Callinan@tusla.ie  phone 0861437409.

Other Supports:

EWO’s continue to remotely attend Meitheals, Case Conferences and other interagency meetings in order to support families and can liaise with other professionals as needed. EWO’s are involved in the distribution of food and educational resources during the school closures and are also networked with local support services, including Children and Young People’s Services Committees and non Tusla services across the community and voluntary sectors.

HSCL Supports during Covid Period

• Liaison between home and school regarding Covid 19 guidance/ arrangements
• Identifying families most in need of support in DEIS schools
• Communicating with parents through phone, email and other online platforms
• Organisation of the school meals scheme, with weekly/ bi-weekly food parcels for families
• Distribution of IT and other educational supports to students to aid in completion of schoolwork/ assignments
• Assisting parents in completion of applications for various supports
• Signposting parents to relevant agencies/services when necessary
• Supporting transition from pre-school to primary school, primary to post-primary school and post primary to higher/further education

Schools that have a HSCL coordinator

DES List of DEIS Schools

Transition Guidelines and Support

• TESS HSCL from pre-school to primary guidelines
• Pre-school to Primary Transitions Ideas
• Primary to Post-Primary Transition Ideas

Pre-school to primary transition video link from the National Parent’s Council - click here . This video can also be accessed via Facebook and Twitter

Helpful Education and Parent Support Websites:

Education Websites:

• https://www.education.ie/en/  - Department of Education Website
• https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/National-Educational-Psychological-Service-NEPS-/NEPS-Home-Page.html  - National Educational Psychological Service Website
• https://ncca.ie/en  - National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Website
• https://ncse.ie/ - National Council for Special Education Website
• https://www.nala.ie/ - National Adult Literacy Agency

Parent Support Websites:

• http://www.npc.ie/ - National Parents Council Website
• https://www.npcpp.ie/ - National Parents’ Council Post Primary Website
• https://www.barnardos.ie/ - Family Support
• https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/camhs/ - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Support
• https://www.jigsaw.ie/ - Young People Mental Health Service
• https://www.pieta.ie/ - Mental Health Support
• https://www.cypsc.ie/  - Children and Young Persons Services Committee
• https://www.mabs.ie/en/ - Money Advice and Budgeting Service
• www.facebook.com/parentingsupport/ - Online Safety Tips for Parents

Library

All the latest information from to the Department of Education website 

Barnardos Parent Support Line 

1800-910-123 10am-2pm Mon- Fri 

Jigsaw

800 helpline number and service can be accessed by young people between 12-25, regardless of whether they live in a Jigsaw catchment area or not.  The number can also be used by parents and guardians if they are concerned about a young person's mental health. 

Contact Details click here
1800 JIGSAW (544729)   
SMS 086 180 3880.          

Traveller Specific Supports

Online Counselling now available at the Traveller Counselling service 

Roma families & NPC 

Contact details for a helpline that has been made available for Roma families re Covid19. Information available in English, Romanian and Romanes.

call 087 126 4606 from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm

Autism Support

Helping an autistic child during lockdown – visit website https://www.acamh.org/ and listen to this podcast. 

Dealing with Bereavement

‘The Invisible String’ story book is excellent for supporting new children through bereavement. This may be useful and relevant if children have lost loved ones at this time.

TESS managers region/ contact details

HSCL Office Administration      Michelle Darby:  087 9607 103    E-mail:   mdarby@dwec.ie

School Completion Programme (SCP)

SCP supports offered during the public health crisis

• Access to learning resources and materials
• Provision of care and activity packages
• Supporting families (in partnership with Principals & schools) to access the School Meals Scheme
• Supporting children and young people remotely through online platforms with parental consent and with face to face support in line with HSE guidelines
• Continuation of supports/programmes focusing on identified needs e.g. self confidence, bereavement, social skills etc.
• Summer holiday supports online and face to face in line with HSE guidance.
• Supporting children, young people and families to be ready to return to education in September.

Contact Details:

Click here for SCP contacts by county.

Useful Websites:

Tusla.ie
Spunout.ie
Jigsaw.ie
Pieta.ie
Ispcc.ie
Barnardos.ie 
Rainbowsireland.ie
Aim.gov.ie
Enableireland.ie

Library 

• Guidance for Post-Primary Schools and Student Support Teams during School Closures and Public Health Restrictions arising from COVID-19
• Life skills for Children and Young People with Additional Needs
• A Guide for Parents on supporting children and young people with daily routines while schools are closed 
• Relaxation Techniques