In Mayo, we run a Connected Home Support and transport service for children with disabilities. The service provides individual in-home support and group respite sessions and a transport service to bring children to and from activities in the local area. Approximately 80 children living in Mayo avail of the service. The service is based in McHale Business Park in Castlebar.
Enable Ireland Family Support and Connect Afterschool Service recognises the individuality of families and children with physical and sensory disabilities and their capacity to benefit from purposeful activities, support, guidance and care.
The services recognises the children’s entitlement to participate in the local community in accordance with their individual capacity and dignity as human beings.
The Connect afterschool service and family support services, under separate management to the CDNT, is aligned with the PDS model and works in collaboration with the teams and clinicians.
The overall purpose of the service is to:
• In-home family support – to support 0 to 18 children and teenagers and their families within the home environment as needs are identified.
• Connect Afterschool Programme – supporting children from 10 to 18 yrs. to access their local communities, foster independence and friendships, connect with their peer group and engage in activities of interest. The Connect service endeavours to provide transport services to teenagers accessing the service with collection from schools/home where possible although not guaranteed.
Children aged 0 to 18 years can be referred to the Family Support and Connect afterschool services in the following ways:
• Referral form completed by CDNT
• Referral from the case manager or disability manager
• Referral from Tusla
• Referral GP
• Referral from family
The referral must be completed and sent to: connectmayo@enableireland.ie
