West Galway Family Services

West Galway Family Services uses innovative models of work linked to a theoretical framework, which responds to the specific needs of children and their family.

We:

• Work directly with children and young people at individual and group level
• Provide support to parents and guardians through home visits, individual support and group work programmes
• Provide information and advice to children, young people and parents/ guardians when required
• Act as an advocate for children, young people and parents/guardians when necessary
• Organise family-led interagency meetings including Meitheal to develop an action plan and promote the best outcomes for children and young people

Meitheal is a national practice model designed to ensure that the needs and strengths of children and their families are effectively identified, understood and responded to in a timely way so that children and families get the help and support needed to improve children’s outcomes and realise their rights. It is an early intervention, multi-agency (when necessary) response, tailored to the needs of an individual child or young person.

Meitheal is used in partnership with parents to help them share their own knowledge, expertise and concerns about their child and to hear the views of practitioners working with them. The ultimate goal is to enable parents and practitioners to work together to achieve a better life for the child. Meitheal is voluntary and can only be undertaken when the parent/carer provides their written consent