National Best Practice Guidelines for Informing Families of their Child’s Disability were developed by the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and launched by Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD in December 2007. These guidelines were based on a significant consultation and research process and were widely endorsed by professional bodies, parent and family organisations and educational institutions.

From 2008 to 2010 the Informing Families Project embraced the challenge to translate research into practice through a two year pilot implementation of the guidelines in the Cork Region, across hospital, community and voluntary disability services. The purpose of the pilot project was to gain knowledge to inform national roll-out. The report of the Cork Pilot Project provides a range of practical tips and tools for implementing the Guidelines.  Click here to download the report of the Cork Pilot Project.

The pilot project was successfully implemented and was a  recipient of the Taoiseach’s Public Service Excellence Award 2010.

Diarmuid O'Leary cuts the ribbon to officially open the new family room in Cork University Hospital

Through the pilot project in the Cork region a range of valuable tools and materials have been developed which can be used around the country to support the implementation of best practice when informing and supporting families of children with disabilities.

Mr. John Moloney TD, Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health at the Department of Health and Children launched valuable tools for supporting best practice, developed by the Cork Pilot Project, on Monday 28 June 2010 in University College Cork 

• The Roadmap for Implementation – Informing Families of their Child’s Disability: Report of the Cork Implementation Project 
• An e-Learning module based on evaluated training materials designed to support professionals who work with families of children with disabilities
• This website of information to support parents and professionals developed through the pilot project: www.informingfamilies.ie

Further information

Download the national best practice guidelines here: http://www.fedvol.ie/_fileupload/File/Informing_Families_Guidelines.pdf

Click here to download the Roadmap for Implementation from the Cork Pilot Project.

Click here to find out more about the tools available from the Cork Pilot Project.