Policy | Back to Education Allowance – What does it mean for Education and Employability?

Stuart Duffin, Director of Policy and Programmes, One Family, responds to the recent findings of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) that there is ‘no evidence that the Back to Education Allowance employment support programme is effective helping unemployed people to find jobs’. The relationship between education and the economy is longstanding. Employers generally […]

Parenting | Ten Ways to Praise Your Child More

Praise is a normal part of life for many but we must not take it for granted. Some children and adults are very rarely praised. Praise has a huge impact on behaviour. The more positive praise we get the more likely we are to have high self-esteem resulting in positive behaviours. Here are some pointers […]

Events | Annual Toy Appeal

 Join our annual toy appeal and make a real difference this Christmas. By organising a collection of toys in your workplace you can help us make Christmas a little bit easier for the families we work with. As we all know, Christmas can be a time of stress and worry for many parents but in […]

Parenting | 10 Ways to Have Halloween Fun

Halloween celebrations have changed a lot in Ireland over the past ten years or so. What once was a simple celebration (when a black plastic bin liner served perfectly well as a costume!) has now become much more expensive, especially at a time of year when parents are just recovering from back to school expenses and […]

Policy | At the Centre of Social Welfare Change

One Family Director of Policy & Programmes, Stuart Duffin, writes about what should be at the centre of social welfare change. As an election looms for Spring 2016 we need to begin to raising public awareness on the issue of poverty and its effects on health. Our social welfare system is undergoing fundamental change. Reforms affecting many working lone […]

Parenting | National Mediation Awareness Week, 19-24 October

The process of separation or divorce can be confusing, distressing and lonely. For parents who are sharing parenting during and after separation, communication is essential, and both parents will want to protect their children and ensure that, no matter how the family situation may change, they know how loved they are. They will need to develop a shared parenting plan. […]

askonefamily | Budget 2016 Social Welfare Changes

We have summarised some of the main changes from Budget 2016 (presented on 13 October 2015) which may affect one-parent families. If you or anyone you know would like information regarding your individual circumstances, askonefamily is available on 1890 66 22 12 / 01 662 9212 or by email here. Budget 2016 | Social Welfare Changes No […]

Press Release | Budget 2016 Let Down for Poor One-Parent Families; Child Benefit Disappointing, Income Disregard Welcome

Press Release Budget 2016 a Let Down for Poor One-Parent Families Child Benefit Disappointing, Income Disregard Welcome www.onefamily.ie (Dublin, Tuesday 13 October 2015) One Family, Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and separating, today responds to Budget 2016 acknowledging that Government listened to us and the parents we support by providing a modest […]

Press Release | Budget 2016 could finally get it right for the poorest of Ireland’s children. But will Government deliver on Tuesday?

Press Release Budget 2016 could finally get it right for the poorest of Ireland’s children. But will Government deliver for families on Tuesday? (Dublin, Friday 9 October 2015) One Family, Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and separating, outlines in its pre-Budget 2016 submission ways that Government could finally get it right for people […]

Starting Over

Parenting | 10 Ways to Starting Over

Relationships can become very negative within families. This is often due to the many layers of challenges parents are faced with on a daily basis. At times we wonder what we got ourselves into and how we are going to cope. It is never too late to review your relationships and make positive changes. If […]

Responsible Behaviour

Parenting | 10 Ways to Talk to Your Teenager About Responsible Behaviour

Many parents dread the teenage years. Drinking alcohol, smoking, sex and many other issues come up when our children reach this age. Many of them are normal for this stage of development. At times we can worry too much about what the teenage years will bring so we ban everything, thinking if we take full […]

Government needs to listen and act: ‘The presence of children reduces the probability of women’s transition into employment’, says ESRI report.

(Dublin, Thursday 17th September 2015) One Family, Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and separating, responds to the ESRI’s latest report ‘Transitions into and out of Household Joblessness’. Karen Kiernan, One Family CEO: “Yet again, evidence informed research clearly states that access to affordable, quality childcare enables women and in particular lone parents, […]

Parenting | 10 Ways to Relate to Your Teenager

Often parents will say they had a great relationship with their child until they became a teenager. Many of us will know every move our child makes up to the end of primary school and then suddenly they begin second level. There are many changes that you could be facing – you may no longer […]

Parenting | 10 Ways to Settle Back into the School Routine

Settling back into the school routine can be very challenging. When you are parenting school age children, the best way to make a plan is to do it together with your children. Whether is it September or another time of the year, here are some tips to support you. Call a family meeting. If you […]

Parenting | 10 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Preschool

As summer winds down, we are thinking about school again. For parents with young children, this means looking into preschools for your children. Sending your child to preschool for the first time is a big step in both your and your child’s life, and it is important to make sure both of you are prepared to […]

Vacancy | Communications & Marketing Officer: Part-time

An exciting new role has arisen in our Communications Service for a Communications & Marketing Officer: Part-time. Working to the Director of Communications, the purpose of this part-time role is to assist with development, consolidation and focus of the communication and marketing requirements of One Family around new technologies, whilst also engaging with traditional communications; […]

Shared Parenting

Parenting | 10 Ways to Do Your Best When Sharing Parenting

How do you know what is best for your child when you are sharing parenting? One Family supports children to have contact with both of their parents if it is safe for them to do so. We know it can be very challenging but often for children it can benefit them greatly to know they […]

Press Release | Government Policies are Failing Poor Families: 30% askonefamily helpline calls increase

Press Release Government Policies Are Failing Poor Families askonefamily helpline calls up by another 30% One Family Annual Review 2014 www.onefamily.ie (Dublin, Monday 17 August 2015) One Family, Ireland’s organisation for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and separating, launches its Annual Review 2014 as its askonefamily helpline continues to respond to an unprecedented rise in […]

Toddler Tantrum

Parenting | 10 Ways to Cope With Toddler Tantrums

A toddler’s life is full of wonder and awe. Many toddlers are fearless explorers and just want freedom to do things for themselves. For someone so young they can be very sure of what they want and making plans on how to get it. For parents the wonder is usually how they are still alive […]

Parenting | 10 Ways to Support Your Child On Leaving Cert Results Day

Leaving Certificate results day … It is a day that parents and teenagers have anticipated for many months, or possibly even years. So many feelings have been generated while waiting on these results, a summer spent wondering what the future holds. For many students, they will also soon be receiving their offers of college places […]