Young Parent Support Programme (YPSP)

YPSP – Dublin 15

General Description of Services to be Provided

The YPSP in Dublin 15 provides a support service for young mothers, fathers and their families from pregnancy and right through the first 1000 days of the child’s life. We work mainly with young people who become parents when they are aged 24 years or under and support them through the first 1000 days of their child’s life. Some parents who are older than this may also be supported depending on their circumstances.  We offer support, information and advocacy in all areas of a young parent’s life including health, relationships, parenting, childcare, social welfare entitlements, education, training and anything else about which the mother or father is concerned.

For mothers: We provide individualised one-one support to deal with individual situations exploring how the pregnancy is affecting the young mothers and their relationship with those around them – such as the other parent and their own parents. The YPSP workers support the young mothers to take care of themselves and their baby before and after the birth and help them adjust to their new roles and responsibilities as a parent. We educate them about their rights as the child’s mother, provide information and support with regard to welfare rights and entitlements, accommodation, education, training or childcare and signpost to other supports and services for young parents in their area.

For fathers: We help young fathers to look after their needs as a father and a young person. We support them around their rights in relation to their child and to their right to have contact with him or her. The YPSP believes that it is good for children to know who both their parents are and, as far as possible, to have contact with both of them. For some young fathers this can be difficult if they are no longer in a relationship with the mother of their child. This situation is complicated by the fact that in Ireland a father who is not married to the mother of his baby has no automatic rights at birth in relation to his child, even if his name is on the birth certificate or even if he is paying maintenance for his child. However, the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 which commenced on January 18th 2016 has changed the law regarding guardianship for some unmarried fathers and we educate the young fathers around their rights and responsibilities.

For grandparents: Finding out that a young son or daughter is expecting a baby can come as quite a shock and prospective grandparents may be worried with how they will cope while they are still so young themselves. Now that their son or daughter is a parent the relationship may change and bring new challenges. They may suddenly have two families living under the one roof. This can be very demanding and stressful. The may have just finished rearing your own family and find it difficult to have a new baby in the house. YPSP staff offer support for grandparents around these challenges.

Objectives/Targets of the Services to be Provided (as agreed with Tusla

• Engage with the National YPSP Co-ordinator (Treoir)
• Collaborate other YPSP “Host” organisations, local networks, schools, maternity hospitals, national bodies and other stakeholders.
• Engage with the Tusla’s Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) Programme.
• Utilise Tusla’s National Outcomes Framework
• Provide reports to the European Social fund and other stakeholders as required
• Form a Local Advisory Committee in Dublin 15 comprising local and national stakeholders as appropriate, as well as parent representatives if possible, which meets quarterly
• Engage in interagency collaboration to promote the new service and share learning
• Engage with young parents (under 25)
• Provide case management under various levels of need
• Sign post to other appropriate services
• Maintain a focus on Child Protection.

Activity Details (as agreed with Tusla

Set up and operate the YPSP in Dublin 15 offering various services and supports to assist young parents:

• Education and Support: run programs that provide family life and parenting education, as well as support related to childbirth and parenting for individuals under 24
• Targeted Assistance: assess individual needs and offer targeted supports to promote healthy child development and stability for young parents.
• Community-Based Services: programs are community-based and serve pregnant and parenting young adults and their children, typically up to age 23 or 25.
• Referrals and Resources: provide referrals to specialists, housing assistance, and employment advice.
• Provide pre and post natal supports for young mothers.
• Promote/provide peer support programmes for young parents.
• Promote access to education and/or employment.
• Engage in advocacy and information for young parents.
• Provide practical support around food, essential supplies and baby supplies. 

Anticipated Deliverables/Outputs/Achievements

• Increased child welfare.
• Improved maternal mental health.
• Improved physical health for mother and baby.
• Increased bonding between mother and baby.
• Improved relationships for the mother with her baby’s father, grandparents and wider support networks.
• Increased access to education and/or employment for young parents.
• Reduced social isolation.
• Secure safe accommodation.
• Sign posting to other services.
• Reduced risk of adverse childhood experiences for the babies and young parents.

Performance Indicator 1 Engagement with 40 young parents in year 1, maintain profile, referral and other required information while adhering to General Data Protection Regulations

Performance Indicator 2 Deliver agreed YPSP activities, measure outputs, outcomes and achievements of each activity as per agreed deliverables and report on same.

Performance Indicator 3 Form and co-ordinate a YPSP Local Advisory Committee for Dublin 15 – meets quarterly.

Performance Indicator 4 Utilise Tusla’s National Outcomes Framework.

Performance Indicator 5 Provide biannual reports to National Co-ordinator (Treoir) for the European Social Fund and PPFS and any other required reporting.