Following the launch of the tools for implementation of the Informing Families Guidelines, Katherine O'Leary (Chairperson of the Informing Families Cork Project) discussed the Informing Families Project with Sean O'Rourke on RTE's News At One
Click to hear Katherine's interview on RTE's News At One
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.
For the past two years the Informing Families Project has 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 pilot project has been successfully implemented and has been announced as one of the recipients of the Taoiseach’s Public Service Excellence Awards 2010.
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 these valuable tools for supporting best practice on Monday 28 June 2010 in University College Cork
Download the guidelines here: http://www.fedvol.ie/_fileupload/File/Informing_Families_Guidelines.pdf
Click to hear Katherine's interview on RTE's News At One