1. Towards Evaluation in the Family Resource Centre Programme Presented by : Claire Dineen, Co-Chair National Forum of Family Resource Centres and Manager of Ballymote Family Resource Centre, Sligo Kieran McKeown. Social and Economic Research Consultant

2. Outline of Workshop Background to the Family Resource Centre Programme What Family Resource Centres do? Definition of Family Support within the FRC programme Principles underpinning Family Support in the FRC programme S.P.E.A.K. figures Opportunities and challenges

3. Background to the Family Resource Centre Programme The first 10 FRC were set up in 1994 by the Dept. of Social Welfare Endorsement of FRC Programme by the Commission on the Family (1996-1998) contributed to a 10 fold expansion to the current number of 107 Family Resource Centres.

4. Background cont’d Since 2003 FRCs have been funded through the Family Support Agency In May 2010 the Family Support Agency was brought under the remit of the new Dept. of Children & Youth Affairs.

5. S.P.E.A.K. Figures 295,395 visits by individuals to FRC’s 22,000 used FRC’s for meetings 21,000 accessed formal counselling 14,263 ‘cup of tea’ counselling 752 groups accessed funding through FRC 1,700 other community groups supported to access funding, tackle specific issues and restructure. 30,000 accessed training/education

6. What do Family Resource Centres do? Each FRC responds to the needs identified by its local community, consequently this local dimension means the range of responses will vary from Centre to Centre. The work of FRCs is : Needs led Has an early intervention focus Preventative by nature

7. Core Functions Of Family Resource Centres (FRC) Building Partnerships & Networking Establish New groups Provide Information & Resources Childcare Support Self Development Progression Education Training Influencing Policy Counselling Integration of Services

8. Definition of Family Support within the FRC Programme The Family Resource Centre National Forum defines Family Support within the Programme as: “supporting families within communities to identify their family and local needs: to collectively develop holistic responses and enhance participation in wider community life”

9. Principles Underpinning Family Support within FRC Programme Participation Equality Awareness raising Early intervention Strengths based Advocacy

11. Thank You