Who We Are
Funded Programmes
Family Matters is part of the national Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme. We work with families from antenatal to school-going and beyond. We also invest in effective services to improve outcomes for children and families living in areas of disadvantage. ABC Programme implements evidence-based approaches creating learning opportunities that enhance parenting and workforce capacity within the prevention and early intervention, children and family sector.
Family Matters Dream
Family Matters’ dream is that all the children will be healthy, happy, learn as much as they can, play and have friends. We hope that they will be able to build healthy relationships and to bounce back when life is challenging. Our parenting programmes and workshops are here to support at every stage of a child’s life.
Area-Based Childhood
The ABC Programme is funded by the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration (DCDEI). It is delivered through the Prevention Partnership and Family Support Programme (PPFSP) within Tusla – The Child and Family Agency. Nationally, ABC aims to work in partnership with families, practitioners, communities and national stakeholders to deliver better outcomes for children and families living in areas where poverty is most deeply entrenched. The ABC Programme works from a strengths-based approach, harnessing the talents, abilities and capabilities of the family and community.
Prevention (identifying potential issues or vulnerabilities before they happen and putting supports in place to prevent them) and Early Intervention (intervening early to prevent difficulties escalating, helping children become more resilient and realise their full potential) are essential to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and disadvantage.
ABC Delivery Approaches:
ABC sites operate at three levels of change:
- Frontline delivery of PEI services for children and families which support early child development.
- Workforce capacity building, facilitation, and support of other service providers to implement evidence-based ways of working.
- Systems change efforts with managers and decision makers at local, regional and national level.
ABC Programme Vision
An Ireland where no child is impacted by poverty and all children are supported to reach their full potential.
ABC Mission:
Through prevention and early intervention approaches the Area Based Childhood Programme aims to work in partnership with families, practitioners, communities and national Stakeholders to deliver better outcomes for children and families living in areas where poverty is most deeply entrenched.
The Empowering Communities Programme (EPC) was launched by Minister for State, Joe O’Brien, to support local communities in crafting their own response to area-based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences. In targeting communities of high needs, Dublin City Council and Department for Rural and Community Development assessed the deprivation levels of a number of communities across Ireland. Cherry Orchard in Ballyfermot was selected as an area requiring support.
The Liffey Partnership was chosen to deliver the EPC in Cherry Orchard due to the nature of the work, reputation and relationships already established. Liffey Partnership now employs two Community Engagement Officers under EPC who are responsible for engaging, understanding, assessing and addressing the needs of Cherry Orchard whilst also building long term trust. The officers work with the community developing and implementing an action plan that responds to the voices and concerns of local people.
Our Community Engagement Officers are supported by the Community Development Team. Together, the team strives to empower organic community growth by facilitating relationships locally.
Empowering Communities into Action Learn about Empowering Communities
The Local Area Employment Service (LAES) is funded by the Department of Social Protection replacing the previous Local Employment Services (LES) in 2022. The primary focus of the LAES remains on long term unemployed clients farthest from the labour market with barriers to participation. This service forms part of the additional Public Employment Service capacity required to deliver on the Pathways to Work 2021 – 2025 strategy.
Jobseeker Support
LAES provides job-seekers with a person-centred 52-week engagement including the financial assistance and support needed to prepare and search for gainful employment opportunities whether that be full-time employment or establishing a business. We have a dedicated team of Employment Guidance Officers (EGOs) to support each individual considering employment. Liffey Partnership work in collaboration with the Dublin South City Partnership to deliver LAES supports across Dublin.
Support into Employment
- Professional employment guidance
- CV & interview supports
- Training and development funding
- Career events
- Signposting for relevant support
Employer Support
The Liffey Partnership LAES also offers support to employers through our Employment Liaison Officer. Our ELO works with employers to run recruitment fairs, recruit suitable candidates and apply for wage support funding where appropriate.
The services we provide to employers are:
- Help with your recruitment needs, matching suitable candidates to local jobs
- Providing information on employer incentives e.g. Jobs Plus
- Advertising jobs for free on our office and virtual jobs boards
Areas we serve:
- Dublin 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 20
WorkAbility is a programme designed to support participants experiencing emotional, psychological or mental health challenges and/or co-occurring disabilities.
Liffey Partnership’s Guidance Officer works with participants supporting them to engage with work and/or study, learn new skills, find volunteering and take steps towards finding sustainable employment. Services we provide you include
- Identify your personal interests and skills and explore future options available
- Building confidence through 1;1 mentoring and small group training
- Make a plan to work towards your goals and get support to overcome any challenges
- Support and advocacy to access suitable education and training
- Find volunteering and social opportunities in your community
- Job sampling opportunities to experience a variety of workplaces and tasks.
- Employment supports including CV preparation, job applications and interview skills.
- Ongoing support, referrals to relevant support agencies and the option to reconnect with the Ability team for additional support.
Liffey Partnership also liaises with employers to highlight incentives to employing a person with a disability. Employers may be eligible to apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme and/or the Reasonable Accommodations Grant. The WorkAbility Programme is delivered in collaboration with our partners, Dublin South City Partnership.
Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a cross-Government initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services to 19 community areas across Ireland. The launch of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities was the successful culmination of close collaboration between the Department of Health, Dublin City Council, HSE Community Healthcare and the Liffey Partnership and voluntary partners. Healthy Communities will focus on the communities of Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard in Dublin 10.
Communities were assessed nationwide using an evidence-based process identifying areas where health and wellbeing risk factors are particularly concentrated. Specific and targeted initiatives are delivered to help promote and improve the overall health and wellbeing of people in the chosen communities. These initiatives are delivered by working with a range of partners (HSE, Liffey Partnership, local authorities and community groups) to provide dedicated services to build lasting improvements in health and wellbeing.
Learn More about Sláintecare Healthy Communities
What does it mean for Ballyfermot?
Sláintecare Healthy Communities in Ballyfermot means access to the full enhanced health and wellbeing programme. The programme will include a core group of services to help improve and promote healthier lifestyle behaviours.
Services provided under Sláintecare:
- Social Prescribing – improve mental health and wellbeing, a Social Prescribing link worker will work with individuals who need support, linking them into community activities and services.
- Healthy Food Made Easy – support and inform a healthier diet, the Healthy Food Made Easy (HFME) programme will provide their nutrition and cookery course
- We Can Quit and Stop Smoking Advisory Services
- Parents Plus – Support the mental health of parents and healthy child development, Parenting Programmes will provide families access to evidence based parenting programmes for vulnerable families
- Making Every Contact Count – work with local health professionals to ensure they have the capability to deliver brief interventions and advice for all patients
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024-2028 provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level. Liffey Partnership delivers SICAP through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.
SICAP is a holistic programme targeting those who are most disadvantaged and less likely to access mainstream services. Liffey Partnership, as the Programme Implementers (PIs), engages the community and service providers using a community development approach to address issues relating to social exclusion and inequality. We provide support that responds to individual and community needs with quality, tailored support.
How is SICAP funded?
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Union, through the European Social Fund Plus. For more information on relevant EU funding please see www.eufunds.ie.
SICAP Goals
SICAP enables bottom-up approaches within the framework of a national programme which provides targets, performance indicators and requirements. The programme has two goals that focus on supporting communities and individuals:
- to support communities and target groups to engage with relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion and equality issues, developing the capacity of local community groups and creating more sustainable communities
- to support disadvantaged individuals to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of lifelong learning and labour market supports
The programme is aimed at:
- disadvantaged children and families
- disadvantaged young people (aged 15-24)
- disadvantaged women
- lone parents
- new communities (including refugees and asylum seekers)
- people living in disadvantaged communities
- people with disabilities
- Roma
- the unemployed
- low income workers/households
- Travellers
- the disengaged from the labour market (economically inactive)
- an emerging needs target group selected at local level by the Local Community Development Committees to reflect the specific needs of the local area if not otherwise addressed
What programmes of support does SICAP cover?
- Enterprise – Start your own business
- Social Enterprise – Start or develop a social enterprise
- Community Development – Supporting community groups
- Education Resource Fund – Financial assistance for further and third level education
- Welcoming People New to the Community
- Supporting Progression to Quality Employment
- Mitigating Health Inequality and Promoting Positive Mental Health
The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people. The work opportunities are to benefit the community and are provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas.
The Tús initiative is managed by the Liffey Partnership with support from the Department of Social Protection, which has overall responsibility for the scheme. Participants work 19 ½ hours a week with an increase of €27.50 per week. The aim of the programme is to support work readiness of clients, close gaps in CVs, and keep skills up to date.
The Liffey Partnership currently has 12 months placements at the following organisations:
- Ballyfermot Civic Centre
- Ballyfermot Football Club
- Ballyfermot Family Resource Centre
- BLCO
- Ballyfermot Star
- BSII / The Blue Door
- Cherry Orchard Boxing Club
- Cherry Orchard Community Garden
- Cherry Orchard Equine Centre
- Cherry Orchard Football Club
- Church of Most Holy Sacrament
- Donore Harriers
- Elim Church
- Familie Base
- Helping Hands – Care and Repair
- Liffey Partnership
- Longmeadows Pitch and Putt
- Manna Charity Shop
- Maryfield Nursing Home
- NCBI Retail and Warehouse
- MDI
- Rehab Care
- Saint Vincent De Paul Retail
- Saint Ultans Preschool
- Saint Matthews Parish
- Together FM
