Parenting Education and Support, which covers a range of outreach and centre-based services. These programmes recognise that all families require support at different times and that there are different levels of readiness and motivation to avail of the supports offered. It is often the most vulnerable and most in need who are least able to access and accept these supports. The Centre staff work at the pace of individual parents and encourage their participation in suitable programmes for the benefits of themselves and their children.

The range of programmes offered include:

DELTA is a programme for parents of children from birth up to and including five-year-olds. The aim of the DELTA Programme is to promote the holistic development of young children, raise parents' self-esteem, enhance the parent / child relationship, thus creating confident parents and confident children.

"Parent's are the first educators of their children and should be involved at all times in their education, development and care.

Where external agencies are involved their role should be that in supporting parents in fulfilling their responsibilities".

Parent's involvement in these programmes is facilitated by the crèche provision for their children which also provide much needed stimulation, learning and social experiences helping children to increase their development potential through play. For training opportunities and to find out more go to notice board

Outreach Family Support

Education in the family home for families who are in the greatest need referred by Health Visitors or Social Workers. This support helps parents to develop routines and skills, which will help their parenting and improve the experiences of their children. In many cases it has encouraged and supported parents to contact other appropriate services, which they would or could not have done on their own.

Parenting Matters

A parenting education programme provided on a group work basis within the Centre.

Practical Parenting

Specific elements of these programmes are also provided on an outreach basis to individual parents within a
planned package of support.

The All Sorts Group

Which is a 'drop in' parent support group facilitated by Centre Staff. The Group decides on its own activities and addresses issues ranging from advice to practical issues.