June 27, 2014: The Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) was launched as a ‘restorative organisation’ at its annual summer barbecue. This means that all CDI staff have been trained, its HR policies and way of working all reflect the principles of Restorative Practice. Restorative Practice involves training people in skills of communicating with each other that are […]
Three Restorative Primary Schools Launched in Tallaght West
May 30, 2014: Three Primary Schools in Tallaght West – Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior & Senior and Scoil Chaitlín Maude – have been launched as ‘Restorative Schools’. The Mayor of South Dublin County Council Dermot Looney raised a flag to mark their achievements. In doing so, these are among the first Primary Schools in the […]
Call for greater role for research and evidence in child and community services
April 3, 2014: Research and evidence should play a much greater role in informing planning and funding decisions about services for children, families and communities – according to a new report. The report Leading Community Change: Delivering Better Outcomes in an Irish Community strongly recommends that child and community services be incentivised to re-align delivery […]
Obesity 9% lower in schools with targeted health programme
February 24, 2014: Childhood obesity has been found to be 9% lower in schools which took part in a targeted health programme in Tallaght. A study carried out by Trinity College Dublin found that 16% of children in schools which had taken part in a Healthy Schools Programme were obese compared to 25% in comparable control […]
€4m to be invested in early intervention in Tallaght West 2013-2016
September 13, 2013: Children and families in Tallaght West are set to benefit after €4m has been allocated to early intervention programmes, which are targeted at the most disadvantaged in the community. The area has been identified as one of the Area Based Responses to Child Poverty in the country which the Department of Children […]
Community approach to conflict brings 43% reduction in disputes
May 23, 2013: A community based response to conflict has been found to reduce disputes by 43% and significantly improve relationships with service providers, work colleagues and neighbours. The report on a Restorative Practice Programme run in Tallaght West by the Childhood Development Initiative found that the greatest gain made in the reduction of disputes was […]
Experts encouraged to integrate prevention & early intervention evidence
May 20, 2013: Speaking at a seminar organised by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) today, CDI Strategy and Corporate Services Manager Michelle Butler outlined steps that can be taken in the design and delivery of education to better support outcomes for children in disadvantaged areas. The recommendations were drawn from seven prevention and early intervention programmes […]
Community based response to crime can reduce reoffending by up to 40%
March 20, 2013: Community based responses to crime and anti-social behaviour can reduce re-offending by up to 40% – a conference heard today. Speaking at a conference on ‘Restorative Practice’, University of Ulster Lecturer Tim Chapman, said research in Northern Ireland found that offenders who participated in Restorative Practice processes were up to 40% less […]
Importance of Education for Parents Highlighted in Early Years Report
February 2, 2013: The importance of parent support and education has been highlighted in the findings of a major report into early years supports for children in disadvantaged areas. The finding is contained in an evaluation of an Early Years Service which was coordinated by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) and aimed to support and target […]
Dedicated Speech and Language Therapy Service recommended for disadvantaged areas
November 15, 2012: The report found that a dedicated speech and language service would enable more children to receive the intervention earlier which would help to remove or reduce a significant disadvantage from them before starting school. The Report was launched by the Childhood Development Initiative which has co-ordinated research and evaluation of early intervention and […]