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Activities & Programmes

BEST supports targeted children (and their families) across eight schools in the Ballymun area with the following services under the National School COmpletion Programme (under Tusla Education Support Service – TESS)

    1. Targeted intervention to children and young people with significant support needs who have been identified through the SCP intake framework. 
    2. Highly targeted intervention to Out of School young people and their families with complex needs. 
    3. Evidence based informed intervention at a universal level to the whole class/whole school group. 

SCP Programme

Our Activities and Programmes

One to One Targeted Supports

BEST provides intensive, targeted supports to children and young people in primary and post primary settings with a focus on 5th class – 3rd year at risk students together with additional students outside of this range, at primary level, who meet the EWO/SCP referral criteria or who present with complex needs. This work includes;

  • Personal/social development work through group work/ one to one (individual plans) including transfer work
  • Minimum twice weekly sessions with priority target group/additional unscheduled contact as required over the academic year

Out of School Support

BEST continues to see the young people in the out of school category as possessing a complexity of needs that requires a flexible and potentially multi-pronged response that can include one or a combination of the below interventions:

  • Personal/ social development work
  • Support with transitions; from school to out of school, and possible re-engagement with school placement, or transfer to alternative education setting
  • The delivery of Iscoil if identified as appropriate support for young person’s needs
  • Home visits/ engagement with parent to support meeting young person’s needs
  • Interagency work to support engagement and transfer as appropriate

Therapeutic Services

This service is not currently available due to lack of funding. 

From 2021 – 2024 BEST provided Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy through the medium of Play Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy, using an Integrative and humanistic approach to meet the needs of the young people.

BEST supports engaged children, through a multi-disciplinary approach, with the BEST project worker regularly liaising with the BEST therapist to support the referred young person and their family.  The BEST project worker being in the unique position of having the relationship with the young person and family and can support the referral and ongoing engagement to the BEST therapy services.  

Referrals received through the Interagency pathway required collaboration with a relevant key worker from the referral agency throughout the therapy process.  

At all stages the needs of the young people we work with are at the centre of the work that we do and the supports that are offered to them, in BEST and / or alternative settings.  

See our Therapeutic Service brief for more information. 

Putting the Pieces Together / LifeSkills Programme

Putting the Pieces Together (PTPT) /  LIfeSkills are class based prevention education programmes delivered over 9-10 weeks in primary schools. 

PTPT / LIfeSkills are evidence informed awareness and prevention programmes, aimed at older primary level (5th / 6th class).

BEST team members are experienced facilitators of these programmes.

See our info sheet.

 

Creative Mindfulness

This programme promotes positive mental health and wellbeing for children.

BEST team members are trained to deliver The Mindful Heart Curriculum to children and young people of all ages.

The programme is delivered over 6 weeks in a class based / other setting.

Teachers and parents workshops can also be made available.

BEST Project Team have been trained here;
Creative Mindfulness.

See our introduction to the Creative Mindulness programme.

Transfer and Transition Programmes

Supporting our 6th class students to prepare for the move to post primary setting, with follow up supports in place in 1st year.

This transition from Primary to Secondary school can be a stressful time for many students. Having additional supports in place can be valuable to reducing the stress and anxiety experienced.