On Tuesday 21 October we present a seminar entitled Positive Parenting for Changing Families in Dublin Castle. Of particular interest to those working with children, families and/or in the sector, we will celebrate National Parents Week (20-26 October 2014) while reviewing the importance of a Positive Parenting approach with a range of experts. We will also launch our updated Positive Parenting for Changing Families manualised programme and offer the opportunity to attend free workshops on how to support diverse family situations.

The panel of expert speakers includes:

• Karen Kiernan, CEO, One Family
• Stella Owens, Centre for Effective Services, Chair of Special Interest Group on Supporting Parents
• Helen Deely, Head of HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme
• Donagh McGowan, Donagh McGowan & Co Solicitors, incoming Chair of the Law Society Family Law Committee and member of the Family Law Court Development Committee
• Niall Egan, Jobseekers and One Parent Family Policy Section, Department of Social Protection

UPDATE

We asked, “What’s the important issue for you around positive parenting for changing families?”

In this short video Donagh McGowan, Solicitor and incoming Chair of the Law Society Family Law Committee and member of the Family Law Court Development Committee, talks about his important issue: how to address the failings of the current family law system.

In this short video Niall Egan of the Department of Social Protection talks about his important issue: the Job Seekers Transition Allowance.

Agenda

1.30pm | Registration & Refreshments

2.00pm-3.00pm | Plenary session chaired by Dr. Anne-Marie Mc Gauran (NESC/One Family Board member).

3.10pm-4.30pm | Workshops – try out two of our four free taster workshops faciliated by One Family’s parenting experts. Choose from: Parenting Through Stressful Times, Making Shared Parenting Work, Making Conflict Healthy, and Supporting Children Through Family Change.

Date: Tuesday 21 October 2014

Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Venue: Bedford Suite, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2

Cost: Free

Our annual Winter Party for current clients and their children took place yesterday in the beautiful Dublin Castle. It was great fun with almost 100 children and their families enthralled by master magician, Brian Daly.  Little faces were painted by our creative staff team; and all kinds of amazing balloon animals and toys created by Cathyrn Alexander. And when Santa arrived there was even more excitement!

Santa had help to fill the One Family Grotto this year with hundreds of toys and gifts collected by the staff of these generous companies to whom we, and Santa and Mrs Claus, are incredibly grateful:

Google: Thank you to Lorna Mellon and Sinéad Gibney and all the Googlers.

Chartered Accountants: Thank you to Gillian Duffy and all the Chartered Accountants team.

Capita Life Pensions: Thank you to Deirdre Lennon and all the Capital Life Pensions team.

HRM Recruit: Thank you to Kasia Bik and all the HRM Recruit team.

Maples and Calder: Thank you to Yvonne Madden and all the Maples and Calder team.

A & L Goodbody: Thank you to Sinéad Smith and all the A & L Goodbody team.

Trinity Access Programme Foundation: Thank you to Sarah Grimson and all of the students.

We are also very grateful to everyone who donated prizes for the parents’ raffle including Jinny Joe’s Baby Massage and Yoga, Tesco Jervis Centre and to Kenna’s Centra, Laurel Lodge who donated goody bags for the children.

Huge thanks to volunteers Cathryn Alexander for ballon modelling and face painting, to Paul Leamy for assisting Santa, and to all One Family staff and volunteers.

Thank you also to Darren Lennox and the Operations team at Dublin Castle Conference Centre for their help in co-ordinating such a wonderful event.

Lastly, thank you to all the children and their families for joining us for the festivities!

Do you want to participate in a free networking day for people who work in the areas of family and parenting supports for one-parent families? Do you want to hear some great key-note speakers such as parenting expert John Sharry and Gordon Jeyes, HSE’s National Director of Children and Family Services? Then the One Family Links event is for you! It will be opened by Minister for Children & Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald TD at 10.30am on Thursday 9 June 2011 at the Coach House, Dublin Castle, and runs until 6pm. It’s free to attend and learn about best practice, what services are available locally and nationally – and how you can facilitate your professional development. You can come for the whole day or just drop in to hear the speakers that interest you. (more…)

At The Coach House Dublin Castle. Minister for Children Barry Andrews, TD, will launch the report. This will be followed by a seminar chaired by The Hon. Mr Justice Henry Abbott.  See below for a copy of the summary and of the full report…

Summary – Supporting Child Contact: the Need for Child Contact Centres in Ireland

Full Report – Supporting Child Contact: the Need for Child Contact Centres in Ireland