PRESS RELEASE: Call for award-winning employability programme aimed at lone parents to be rolled out nationally
20 December 2024
An innovative EU funded pilot programme supporting lone parents in the northeast of Ireland into education and employment was delivered in partnership between national voluntary sector organisation One Family and the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 2021 to 2024.
75% of participants successfully progressed from these specialist bridging programmes designed for lone parents on social welfare according to One Family’s Annual Report 2023.
QUOTES
Karen Kiernan, One Family CEO, said,
“One Family have been running our specialist New Futures Employability Programme for 15 years. This highly successful programme was tested in the northeast region with the local DSP Intreo services in an innovative project where parents were offered courses from either their local Education & Training Board or with One Family.
“We were delighted with the strong rates of progression to education and employment for 75% of the parents One Family worked with – these are very high rates for community education courses and speak to our specialist approach of individual support, parenting, practical and therapeutic supports, as needed.
“We were also delighted that our New Futures Employability Programme again won the Aontas STAR award for ESF funded projects in 2023, our second time winning.”
“We are delighted to have new short term funders until June 2026 for our Employability Programmes including Rethink Ireland, the Beachaire Fund and Community Foundation Ireland, but what we really need is a strategic, long term, multi-annual investment from the State to ensure parents all over Ireland can access this award winning and highly successful programme on an ongoing basis. Parents should not have to rely on private funders and a postcode lottery to access training to lift them out of poverty and into sustainable careers.”
Carly Bailey, One Family Policy Manager, said,
“We are calling on the next Programme For Government to include a commitment to rolling out this award-winning programme nationwide. This would not only target state resources using an evidence-based approach but also demonstrate that the next Government is serious about tackling the unacceptably high levels of child and family poverty that exists in Ireland today.”
Valerie Maher, One Family Programmes Manager, said,
“Our New Futures employability programme is such a success because we understand the unique challenges that lone parents can face when considering a return to education and employment. As a trusted and specialised service, this bridging programme has been designed by us to take account of the parenting responsibilities lone parents have, to support them in learning new skills and build the confidence they need to progress towards secure, well-paid employment opportunities.
“But some good news is that we are currently recruiting for our next programmes commencing early next year. From February 2025, the New Futures Employability Programme will be available as an online e-learning programme or through live online classes two mornings per week. We also intend to return to face-to-face classroom delivery of our programmes in Dublin city centre from September 2025. Parents interested in participating in programmes starting in February 2025 can contact Niamh for further information at programmes@onefamily.ie”
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New Futures Employability Programme participant, Caroline had this to say about the course and One Family’s approach:
“As a single parent, I have always struggled to balance the demands of parenting and pursuing my own personal and professional growth. However, this programme has truly been a game-changer for me and has opened a world of opportunities that I never thought possible.
One of the most valuable aspects of the programme is the group training delivered two mornings per week online. The sessions are engaging, informative, and empowering. Through interactive workshops, group discussions, and practical exercises, I have gained valuable insights into various aspects of personal growth, such as self-confidence, communication skills, and resilience. The trainer was highly knowledgeable and skilled at creating a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their experiences and learning from one another and, on a week-to-week basis, friendships developed.
Another highlight of the New Futures Programme is the individual 1:1 key-work sessions. These sessions provided personalised help, support and guidance tailored to my specific needs and goals. The keyworker I was assigned was incredibly supportive, offering valuable insights, helping me identify my strengths and interests, who championed me every step of the way and assisted me in creating a clear career plan. The individual attention I received made me feel valued and motivated to pursue my aspirations.
Since completing the New Futures Programme, I have experienced a tremendous transformation in my personal and professional life. Not only have I acquired new skills and knowledge, but I have also gained a renewed sense of confidence and self-belief in myself.
Without this programme, I don’t think I would have the confidence to really reach the personal accomplishments that this course has given me. The programme has helped me realize my full potential and given me the tools to navigate the job market with a clear vision of my career goals. I cannot recommend the New Futures Programme enough. It is a truly life-changing opportunity for single parents and those sharing parenting responsibilities.”
For Editors
One Family was founded in 1972 as Cherish and is Ireland’s national organisation for one-parent families and people sharing parenting or separating, offering support, information and services to all members of all one-parent families, to those sharing parenting, to those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and to professionals working with one-parent families. Children are at the centre of One Family’s work and the organisation helps all the adults in their lives, including mums, dads, grandparents, step-parents, new partners and other siblings, offering a holistic model of specialist family support services.
Further Information
One Family’s partnership with the Department of Social Protection and European organisations in Greece and Finland to support lone parents towards employability and social inclusion commenced in 2021 and concluded in April 2024. The project was funded by the European Social Fund ESF+ Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme.
Community Foundation Ireland and the Beachaire Fund commissioned research on the impacts of community education in supporting lone parents to fulfil their potential in education, employment, and society, undertaken by Centre for Effective Services and based on eight case studies of lone parents participating in community education programmes delivered by organisations across Ireland, including One Family. The research found that lone parents who complete community education are highly likely to progress to further and higher education, training and paid employment and the importance of wraparound supports was also highlighted. One of the final recommendations was to utilise community education to respond to employment needs and skills gaps by scaling up employability programmes targeted at lone parents, including by building on the success of the One Family’s New Futures Employability Programme.
Link to Beachaire Fund research on community education: onefamily.ie/media-policy/research-reports
Link to One Family Employability Programmes: onefamily.ie/education-development/employability
Link to One Family Annual Review: onefamily.ie/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Report
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