Interfacing informal and formal help systems: Historical pathways to the Meitheal model

Abstract

Meitheal is a national practice model which aims to ensure that the needs and strengths of children and their families are effectively identified, understood and responded to in a timely manner. The aim of this article is to consider some of the notable learning from the historical background and context in the development of children and family services. The discussion draws together four interrelated themes: the interaction between the voluntary and statutory 137 Unauthenticated Download Date | 5/13/18 1:16 AM systems, the interface of family and child oriented services, balancing formal and informal responses to child welfare, and early intervention and prevention services. The complexity of this endeavour is emphasised through identifying the core considerations required at the levels of Bronfenbrenner's ecological model. The article concludes with a commentary on how the future of child welfare in Ireland may be influenced through this attempt at a reorientation of children and family services towards early intervention, prevention, partnership and participation.

Listen to them! The challenge of capturing the true voice of young people within early intervention and prevention models; a youth work perspective

“…The challenge remains as to how best to include the voice of young people in a meaningful way and not a tokenistic way; Mason (2012) described that this requires careful thought, preparation and skill. Despite the Meitheal model being designed and implemented so as it can be applied across various agencies and sectors Cassidy, Devaney, Mc Gregor, and Landy (2016) and Lucas (2011) highlights that more formal and statutory agencies, for example schools, can represent power and authority to a young person, therefore impacting on their perception of the Meitheal process. Further to this Lucas identifies that often an agenda of a partnership process can be skewed towards the agenda of the more powerful agencies present (2011).…”

Developing family support services: A comparison of national reforms and challenges in England, Ireland and Spain

“…These have been comprehensive reforms in the Irish context. Major independent evaluations have charted valued and beneficial impacts for parents and children, particularly among developments in community-based services, early intervention schemes, positive parenting support, multi-agency service models, and cross-sector collaboration (Cassidy et al, 2016;Malone and Canavan, 2018). Similar to the English reforms under Labour, there is much evidence of enhanced capacity and coordination across services.…”