Hello and Welcome
Welcome to Pathways Ireland where we take steps towards a better future and brighter outcomes for our young people and their families.
Pathways Ireland is a children’s residential service provider based in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. We offer medium to long-term residential placements, outreach and family support services in four locations in counties Carlow, Kildare, Meath and Offaly. Our qualified and trained management and staff teams endeavour to provide young people them with the highest quality support and care. Young people are encouraged and facilitated to achieve their optimal personal goals in crucial areas, including education and training, socialisation and the development of positive relationships, life skills and competent independence.
Our Therapeutic Model of Care
Our model of care is trauma informed, which includes current research and interventions that are key to understanding the complexity of developmental trauma.
We recognise that helping children to overcome developmental trauma is an integral part of the work we do.
We apply the following foundational strategies to inform our practice. Through the application of these strategies and supports we strive to help children build on their strengths, to overcome their experiences and difficulties of their formative years, and find healthier ways of building resilience, self worth, wellbeing & healthy relationships.
Our History
Pathways Ireland was established in 2013 and currently have residential centres in Carlow, Kildare, Meath and Offaly. Our service works in direct partnership with the Child and Family Agency, (Tusla) to implement individualised care packages for young people and their families. The service is run by a Board of Directors, Service Director, Service/Compliance Manager, Social Care Managers/Deputy, Social Care Leaders and a highly trained and experienced team of Social Care Workers. Pathways Ireland continues to grow, and plans are already in place to increase the number of services we can offer in the coming years.
Our Mission
Our mission at Pathways Ireland is to deliver the highest standards of individualised medium to long-term residential care to young people by providing:
- A place of safety in a warm, caring and nurturing environment in a domestic and homely setting.
- Contact with family, friends and significant others as deemed appropriate for the best interests of the young people in our care.
- Support for the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the young people in our care.
- Educational and training supports and opportunities for the young people in our care.
- Support and access to the resources necessary for young people to attain agreed placement goals and objectives.
Our Staff Teams
We regard our management and staff teams as our most important and valuable resource. Pathways Ireland are committed to the professional development of all members of our care teams. We ensure that each team member receives regular training, supervision and support with all aspects of their role as social care managers, team leaders and social care workers.
As part of our induction programme all new employees receive training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, Child Protection and Medication Administration. Further training is provided on Key Working, Drugs Awareness, Communication Skills, Report Writing, Supervision and Data Protection to support employees to develop a full range of professional skills. Centre specific training is also provided to the care teams depending on the needs of the young people. Recent training provided includes working from an attachment perspective and supporting young people who have experienced extensive trauma.
At Pathways, we strive to empower our team members to develop the skills necessary to engage in positive self-care strategies. We provide a range of support services, including peer support, regular supervision and team debriefs as well as our employee assistance programme.
Pathway's Policies and Procedures
The work undertaken by the care teams in each of our centres is informed by the Pathway’s Policies and Procedures for Children’s Residential Centres. This document was developed in full consultation with the centres’ management and staff teams and any of the young people who accepted the invitation to be involved in the process. The policies and procedures reflect the rights, responsibilities and obligations imposed on residential centres by legislation, national standards, and local, national and international childcare policies.
The policies are designed to be practical, accessible and user-friendly. We update our policies regularly to ensure that our work with young people reflects the most recent research developments in best practice and changes to national and international childcare legislation.
Work is due to commence shortly on the review of the Pathway’s policies and procedures. A copy of the completed version is always available to young people and their families and to placing social workers. Copies of the policies and procedures may be made available to others on request.
Pathway’s Safeguarding Statement
Pathways Ireland is fully committed to the safeguarding and protection of all young people in their care to the best of their ability and as far as is practical. Pathways Ireland recognises and promotes that all children have equal rights to protection from harm. Pathways corporate managers, centre managers, social care worker and the designated liaison person are held equally responsible and accountable for supporting the protection of children and young people. Pathways Ireland as an organisation, understands and works within their duty of care to all children and young people with whom they are in contact. The safeguarding of all children and young people permeates all aspects of direct and indirect work with children and young people and is so reflected in all the centres policies, procedures, and training.
The goal of Pathways Ireland’s Child Safeguarding Statement is to ensure the protection of children and young people from physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any form of abuse and to offer support and guidance to children and young people who may have experienced historical abuse. All suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations of current or historical abuse will be responded to sensitively, respectfully, actively and in a timely manner. All actions on child safeguarding are taken in the best interests of the child or young person, and will, without hesitation be referred to the statutory bodies, The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) and An Garda Síochána.
Pathways Ireland Safeguarding Statements are available upon request.
Pathways Ireland Governance Structure
