WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
OUR VISION A future which respects the contribution and inclusion of people with an intellectual disability.
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO Cheeverstown is a voluntary organisation and registered charity (CHY 3203) that provides a wide range of residential, respite and day services to almost 400 children and adults with an intellectual disability throughout various community locations in South County Dublin. While the present services opened in 1984 related activities of Cheeverstown date back just over 100 years. We are committed to a future which respects the contribution and inclusion of people with an intellectual disability within the community. We provide a wide range of services in our endeavour to fulfill our mission of enabling all people with an intellectual disability to have full and meaningful lives through person-centred services. Cheeverstown is an accredited organisation under the Council on Quality and Leadership. We adopted the Personal Outcome Measures Quality model as it reflects our vision and mission. Personal Outcomes Measures is an internationally recognised best practice system developed in the United States.
OUR MISSION To enable people with an intellectual disability to have full and meaningful lives through person-centred services in partnership with their families.
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN 2011 – 2014 Cheeverstown launched its first strategic plan in 2011. The strategic plan is in keeping with the overall vision of the organisation and the evolving legislation and best practice in the area of disability. It is about people and about being responsive to the types of supports and service people and their families need. The overall aim is to develop person centred community based children and adult services and supports.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Cheeverstown’s strategic plan identifies seven priority areas which will make an impact on achieving the strategic vision of person-centred community based services: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Mainstreaming of Children’s Services Re-development of Adult Services Development of Supported Living Options Specialist supports/unmet need Strategic Alliances Organisational Values Developing the organisation to deliver on the strategic direction
OUR GOALS 1.
Promote and protect the rights of people availing of our services in a manner that respects their dignity, right to make choices and privacy
2.
Promote the culture of an organisation which strives to maximise each person’s quality of life
3.
Provide quality person centred services, in partnership with all stakeholders to verifiable standards of best practice
4.
Develop each person’s full potential and ensure his or her long-term well being within a positive environment
5.
Support families in their commitment to their family member with an intellectual disability
6.
Lead and manage services through efficient, effective and accountable use of available resources.
7.
Value each staff member’s contribution
OUR VALUES PERSON-CENTRED PLANNING APPROACH TO SERVICES “Person-centredness” is about strengthening a person’s alliances (family, friends, staff) and clarifying the individual’s needs and desires. Thus, the boundaries between services and community are redrawn as people seek to develop new opportunities.
INCLUSION Supporting people to participate fully in all of the educational, employment, consumer, recreational, community and domestic activities that typify everyday society.
RIGHTS Supporting people with disabilities to take their place as valued and productive citizens.
PARTNERSHIP Developing relationships between the people who use our service and families and how we work together. This includes building on partnerships with government departments, local authorities and community services.
STANDARDS OF BEST PRACTICE At Cheeverstown we are committed to continuing to deliver “person-centred” services and supports to standards of best practice.
FUNDING Cheeverstown receives its funding primarily from the Health Service Executive under a service agreement. The Department of Education and Science funds Cheeverstown School. Both of these funding streams are supplemented by voluntary donations and fundraising.
CHEEVERSTOWN SERVICES ADULT SERVICES ADULT RESIDENTIAL SERVICES: Our aim is to enable adults with an intellectual disability achieve independence and reach their full potential in partnership with families, whilst using the local community around them to facilitate this vision. ADULT RESPITE SERVICE: Respite is an important part of the services offered to people using services and their families, providing additional support to carers and giving people using services an opportunity to develop independent living skills and to socialise with their peers and integrate and participate in community living. DAY SERVICES: Cheeverstown provides a range of day services that provide supports for adults, in a variety of settings within the centre and the local community. Each person is allocated a key worker and then an individual life plan is developed which is based on the person’s choices, wants and needs and is facilitated and supported within the service. Great emphasis is placed on developing relationships with the local community and using local resources and amenities to deliver on this life plan. EMPLOYMENT: Cheeverstown House Employment Support Services (C.H.E.S.S.) is a community based support centre for adults who are either in or seeking supported employment. We promote life-long learning and provide on-going supports to ensure people have access to other community activities, such as sport, social and leisure activities. This service also sources work experience and voluntary work opportunities in the local communities. TRAINING: Vocational Training Services are provided for young adults on leaving school to support their learning around life skills and the world of work. The training programmes are designed with input from the people who use the service, staff and families. The range of training modules includes Independent Living Skills, Personal Development, Community Skills, Leisure, Activities Modern Technology and Work Experience. OLDER PERSON: Cheeverstown has commenced the development of a model of supports for the older person. As it develops, this model will provide a model of care which supports best practice for the older person. This model will allow for individualised support arrangements for the older person taking into account pre-retirement and retirement options, whilst encompassing the changing health needs of the older person. CLINICAL SERVICES: Cheeverstown clinical services are delivered as part of a multidisciplinary team. The Clinical Director leads and directs medical services in Cheeverstown House which include sessional psychiatrists, registrar, G.P. Service, pediatrician and pharmacist. In addition the Clinical Director is responsible for the management of the multidisciplinary clinical team which includes psychology, physiotherapy, dietician, music therapy, occupational therapy, social work and speech and language therapy.
OUR SHOPS We have three charity shops located in Templeogue, Tallaght and Rathmines where you can shop for superb value items and support Cheeverstown at the same time. We are always looking for high quality goods to sell so why not spring-clean early. You can donate any of your unwanted furniture, clothes, shoes, books, CDs, DVDs or gifts that are in good condition. Please contact any of our charity shops for further information.
CHEEVERSTOWN SERVICES CHILDREN’S SERVICES EARLY SERVICES: Providing individualised services and supports to parents and children until the age of six. The purpose of early services is to closely work as a team with the child and family to help achieve the child’s potential. PRE-SCHOOL SERVICE: The aim of pre-school services is to assist families to choose educational and developmental goals for their child. Children attend Cheeverstown pre-school or are supported in local pre-schools. Children are assisted in transitioning from Cheeverstown pre-school to community pre-schools. CHEEVERSTOWN SCHOOL: Cheeverstown School provides education and care for pupils with severe and profound intellectual disabilities who are in the service of Cheeverstown. The school adopts a philosophy of teamwork, partnership and best practice in their delivery of a comprehensive child centred service. RESPITE: Families availing of Cheeverstown services are offered temporary relief through the respite service. Respite provides an opportunity for the child to mix with their peer group whilst providing parents with a temporary break from the demands involved in caring for a child with a disability. BREAKAWAY: Breakaway is a family-based respite scheme. Host families are recruited to provide respite breaks to children and their families. These breaks range from a couple of hours to several days as decided together by the family, the host family and Cheeverstown. CHILDREN’S RESIDENTIAL SERVICE: Ballycullen community house provides long term residential care to children under the age of 18. It provides a family type community integrated atmosphere for children and promotes full participation of families and significant others in all aspects of the childs life. RECREATION: The recreation team aims to provide children with an opportunity to participate actively in social and recreational activities. Examples of the activities include an integrated summer camp, swimming and collaborations with the Football Association of Ireland to integrate children with disabilities into local football teams.
INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING Partnership is important to Cheeverstown and we are constantly trying to further develop partnerships and relationships with businesses of all sizes within the community. Research has proven that corporate volunteering programs build employee engagement. At Cheeverstown we recognise this fact and ensure that any corporate or individual carrying out volunteering for Cheeverstown gets back as much as they put in. Many companies have supported their employees to spend a day or more volunteering at Cheeverstown individually or in groups. The experience is a rewarding one for all and it also allows people using our services to work directly with the volunteers offering opportunities to build confidence and social skills. There are many ways to volunteer with Cheeverstown for further information go to http://www.cheeverstown.ie/resources/volunteers-guide/ or call into us.
Cheeverstown Kilvare Templeogue Dublin 6W T: 01 499 3700 • F: 01 490 5753 www.cheeverstown.ie