Social Inclusion Programme –
Community Based Youth Initiatives & Education & Training Supports for Adults

The Social Inclusion Programme is managed by the South Kerry Development Partnership company and brings together a wide range of bodies in a common endeavour – employers, trade unions , farming  organisations , community and voluntary organisations , statutory agencies as well as elected representatives.

The Community Based Youth Initiatives Measure of the LDSIP aims to enhance collaboration, partnership and co-operation between formal and informal provision to combat educational disadvantage among young people. This measure tries to ensure a  co-ordinated approach between a broad range of local education and training providers inclusive of youth organisations, community education interests, childcare organisations and other relevant bodies . This co-ordinated and integrated strategy is reflected in the support for local networks, and consortia to ensure effective local delivery of  initiatives.

The Services for the Unemployed Measures aim to provide support and help to adults on low income and with few qualifications to get certification in order to help improve career prospects. The Tom Mc Bride fund provides a limited bursary fund for adults who live in S Kerry and who are pursing certified education and training courses leading to better qualifications and enhanced skills.
Please fill in the following template with details of the programmes you are responsible for.  The information filled in below is what will appear on the SKDP Website.  Information should be filled in under the headings in the boxes.  If you have information on your programme that does not fit into the headings below, please include it in the last box ‘additional information’.  Should you have any queries on this please contact any member of the
website team.  We would also welcome any comments / suggestions that you may have on this.
 

Brief Description/Introduction of Programme
 

The Community Based Youth Measures were approved following analysis of the needs of young people and after consultation with interested organisations on the most urgent needs and priorities for youth in South Kerry. The underlying assumption of the plan is that while many young people perform very well within the education system , many others experience failour and leave before getting qualifications.
The support provided by SKDP seeks to complement the Dept of Education and Science In – School Initiatives by providing additional help through homework clubs, a family based computer learning programme, assistance for parents and a well being programme for 2nd level students which aims to address issues such as substance abuse and health, bullying and other issues and it gives the student strategies to help increase coping skills in times of high stress.
Other initiatives are operated through linkages with Family Resource Centres, Kerry Education Service and Kerry Diocesan Youth Service.
The following actions are being operated in 2009:
Childhood Language Support; Family Supported Learning; Support for the Learning Support Unit;
Classroom Management Support; Counsellling Initiative ; Mentor Support & other supports for young people in Killarney; Well Being Programme in 2nd Level schools ; Support to the Jig Saw Project in Kerry; Parenting Supports ; Special Needs Support ; Rural Youth Initiative
The following  actions are being operated in 2009 under the Services to the Unemployed;
Tom Mc Bride Education Bursary Fund ; Tom Mc Bride Training Bursary Fund


Eligibility Criteria/Conditions of Aid LDSIP

Family Supported Learning funding is designed to help children at risk within primary schools/ in community in South Kerry. Administered through  the school/ FRC, the teaching staff nominate the children who would benefit from the home based professional help.An application form is sent out to groups / schools on an annual basis.

Support for Learning Support Unit – This is an interagency collaboration which supports family learning in South Kerry and funding is allocated to a co-ordinator and for materials and programmes as agreed at local levels  with the project partners in Iveragh, Kenmare, Killarney and Killorglin areas. The partners include KES, FRC, DEIS Co-ordinators and HSE personnel.

Counselling Initiative – This support is aimed at 2nd level students in the education system who need counselling support to address issues as they impact on their learning and on their capacity to engage with others. The programme is available through the principal and pastoral team within the school and they make direct contact with the South West Counselling Centre in Killarney which provides the support.      

Mentor & other actions to support young people in Killarney – This action is agreed with KDYS which provides informal education supports to young people who have left the education system . Others involved include the FRC in Killarney and other organisations providing help and support to young people,

Well Being Programme – The Well Being Programme is a support to 1st year students and provides a short programme of help to selected schools to address substance abuse, positive decision making and giving the students skills to deal with discrimination and to increase their capacity to cope in times of high stress.

Schools are nominated by the youth officer in SKDP and funding allocated on  a rotational basis. 

Support to the Jigsaw project – The programme is aimed at helping the Jigsaw project to become effective in Kerry communities. This is a direct support to the project which will become operational in 2009 and will link in with schools and community in addressing mental health issues.

Parenting Supports – Support is given to groups which operate sessions, courses or programmes for parents.

In recognition that many parents need knowledge and additional skills in helping their children, resources are  given through this measure to encourage the development of these important skills.

A small budget is available and application is made through a completed application form available from  Education Co-ordinator in SKDP.