Southside Partnership / Current Programmes
Forums, Networks and Working Groups
This Programme has established a number of networks and task groups to respond to educational disadvantage through the development and implementation of specific actions. Each network includes representation from the relevant target groups and involves formal and non- formal providers including parents and community. The networks and task groups also serve as a mechanism for information exchange and identification of gaps in services. They are reviewed regularly and set up or discontinued on a needs basis. The partnership supports each network through planning, evaluation and other supports such as training, capacity building and research.
The networks are the mechanism through which actions will be developed, implemented and evaluated. The current Networks/Task groups include the following:
Youth at Risk Network
Focuses on progressing recommendations in the Action Plan for Early School Leaving Research Report - 'Moving Beyond the Barriers'.
(See Youth development/Early School Leaving Link)
Traveller Education Network
Is a subgroup of the Traveller Interest Network (TIN) and involves working with Youth Workers from the Southside Travellers Action Group, Schools, Youthreach and others in relation to co-ordination of services and local information exchange.
Career Guidance Network
Focuses on access issues and the progression and support needs of young actual/potential early school leavers (including specific target groups) in education/training.
Unite Network (cross-programme with the Community Development Programme)
Brings together local statutory and voluntary service providers working with Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Ethnic minorities.
Ballyogan Youth Needs Task Group
Is a sub-group of the Ballyogan Task Force, focusing on developing responses to the needs of the young people in the area.
Southside Childcare Action Network (SCAN)
The Southside Childcare Action Network serves to promote and implement a strategy for childcare within the Southside Partnership area. The network represents a group of 22 voluntary community based childcare organisations in the greater Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area who have been working together since 1997 to promote and implement a framework for community based childcare
Programme staff are members/participate in a broad range of local and regional committees including the County Development Board, Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces, Dun Laoghaire VEC Adult Education Board, Dun Laoghaire Community Training Centre Board of Management, Mounttown Neighbourhood Youth Project Management Committee, 4 School Completion Committees, Whitechurch Youth Development Project Committee, Futurama Steering Committee, Youth Choices Steering Committee, and others.
