The Brothers of Charity Services Galway provides services to children, young persons and adults with a learning disability in Galway City and County. The Service recognises and acknowledges the need for short breaks, respite and family support services for the individuals with a learning disability and also their families. The Family Support Service endeavours to provide these services. In line with the wishes of families, the Family Supports Services are delivered in a variety of ways which attempt to offer positive experiences for the individual. The Family Support Service makes every effort to meet the assessed needs of families and aims to offer appropriate supports. The needs are assessed by the family social worker. The Family Support Services are provided in the family home, local community or other community facilities. The delivery of the Family support Service is led by the individual and their family in line with Personalised Outcome Measures.

The Family Support Service is a flexible quality service that is provided all year seven days a week.

The Family Support Services are delivered by qualified, trained staff.

• The Family Support Services includes:
• In-Home Supports,
• Home Sharing,
• Contract Families,
• After School Groups,
• Holiday Projects,
• Drama groups
• and Individualised Service Provision.

Family Support

This is a home based respite service. The service employs Family Support workers who work on a one to one basis with the child, young person, or adult either in their own home or local community.

Home Sharing

This involves a child, young person or adult spending time with a host family in the community. The host family is recruited, assessed, trained, supervised and supported by the service.

Contract Families

The Contract Family Scheme is an extension of our long established of Home Sharing Scheme. Contract Families are recruited trained and assessed in accordance to our Home Sharing Scheme Standards, with additional an 2 days of training.

Contract Families are paid a retainer and expenses to offer placements to individuals with additional needs. Contract Families offer between 10, 16 and 20 sessions a month to our service users.

The Contract Family Pilot Scheme was establish in 2007, through additional funding by The Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, for a two year project. The scheme was overseen by the Enhancing Disability Services.

Tony Murphy (M.Sc. Mgmt) carried out the evaluation on the Contract Family Pilot Scheme Room for One More. This evaluation offers a comprehensive overview and it addresses the quality and cost effectiveness of this pioneering project.

After School Groups

After school groups are held on a weekly basis. These include swimming groups, home work clubs and play activities

Holiday Projects

Holiday Projects are run during the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays. The children and young persons participate on outings and trips, as well as enjoying sports, art and crafts activities.

Drama Group

The Bua-Ka drama groups are for younger children aged 6 to 12 and teenagers aged 14 to 22. The groups have taken part in Drama in the Community, made short films and learned how to express themselves through music, dance and stage performance.

Individualised Service Provision

This service is fashioned for the individual - where a budget has been allocated— and where there is not a suitable or appropriate service identified.

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