Frequently Asked Questions

We track outcomes that matter—how children develop, how families feel supported, how communities change. The data guides us, but we listen harder to the stories families tell us about what shifted in their lives.

Our work lives in the real world, not in isolation. We study what actually works for children and families facing real challenges, then we act on what we learn.

Yes. We publish our research and share what we learn with practitioners, policymakers, and anyone working to help children. Knowledge should move, not sit still.

It depends on the child, the family, the situation. Some shifts happen quickly. Others take time and patience. We measure progress in small movements and big transformations, whatever the timeline demands.

We’re supported by organizations and individuals who believe in this mission. Our funding comes from those committed to giving children and families what they need to heal and grow.

No. CHIPPS is an intervention and support service, not a diagnostic assessment service. We use formulation to determine our understanding of the child’s presentation and are here to provide therapeutic support to improve outcomes for children in care. 

Some primary caregivers may not be in a position to provide adequate physical, emotional and psychological safety to children in their care. Developmental trauma refers to harmful or adverse experiences in a child’s life, often related to primary caregivers. Children can also be impacted from pre-birth trauma such as exposure to alcohol/drug use in utero or maternal experiences of violence/toxic stress. These experiences can affect how a child’s brain and body develop, and how they relate to others. Developmental trauma isconsidered cumulative, and can happen over time. This shapes how a child experiences the world around them. 

Yes. CHIPPS will carefully consider every referral. Some children carry diagnoses that may not fully explain their difficulties. We take a thorough and trauma-informed approach to assessment and support.

Current average waiting time is approximately 9 months. This will vary with caseload demands and staffing capacity. During this time, the CHIPPS consultation pathway may be deemed appropriate to provide support and guidance for social workers, carers and others involved with the child’s care. 

CAMHS is a diagnostic psychiatry led mental health service for children and young people with moderate to severe mental health concerns. CHIPPS is specifically focused on children in foster care who have experienced developmental trauma. The two services oftenwork closely together – for example, if a child needs medication support, or presents as high risk with low mood or suicidality, CHIPPS will work with CAMHS collaboratively. 

Yes. Research from the UK indicates that investing early in specialist therapeutic support is significantly less costly than the alternatives. Without early intervention, children affected by developmental trauma are more likely to face escalating difficulties in education, physical and mental health, and involvement with the justice system later in life, all of which carry a far higher cost to the child and to society. 

CHIPPS is committed to ongoing evaluation of its impact, using validated pre- and post-intervention measures. Our outcomes show stronger relationships with children and carers, better understanding of how to support young people, carers and children having more tools to cope with challenges. Professionals report feeling supported dealing with complexity. 

PSP is a rapid response therapeutic service. When a foster placement is at high-risk of breakdown, or where a child/young person is on the cusp of being received into Care the team mobilises support as quickly as possible. Contact Rachel Geary directly for an informal case consultation.

The Community Team delivers intensive outreach support over 12 weeks, working with the child and their caregivers.

Castle House offers a short-term Emergency Place of Safety, for children/young people who have experienced a complete placement breakdown. We provide them with care and accommodation for up to a maximum 29 consecutive nights while a suitable onward placement is being sought. We also provide emergency respite for the young people open to our Community Team.

All referrals must be approved by the Tusla Gatekeeper before they are submitted. If you are unsure whether a case meets the criteria, contact us directly and we can discuss it with you.

No. PSP is currently funded to operate in Cork and Kerry. National expansion is underway.

PSP is an intensive, time-limited support service, that works intensely with children/young people and their caregivers.

We understand that it is extremely difficult to be observed and assessed.  It is not our intention to judge you, we are here to support, not to catch people out. Our approach is collaborative, strengths-based, using a Infant Mental Health and Trauma Informed model. We look for what is working well and build on it, while being honest about risk.

If our team concludes that an infant cannot safely remain in a parent’s care at this time, we will make this recommendation clearly, compassionately, and with full transparency.

We will also make detailed recommendations about what both the parent and child need going forward, including future reunification possibilities in many cases.

Couples can be referred together. Please discuss the specific circumstances of your family at the point of referral.

Placements are typically 12–16 weeks.

Absolutely. Many parents feel anxious, uncertain or overwhelmed before arriving. Moving away from home and taking part in an assessment can feel daunting. Our team understands this and will do everything possible to help you feel welcomed, supported and informed throughout your time with us.

The team at Childhood Matters focus on supporting parents to achieve their best, recognising the right of all persons to be treated fairly with dignity and respect.

Through these relationships we provide guidance and support to each individual client to develop their self-esteem and learning of parenting, life and social skills.

There is a strong emphasis on realistic expectations and parent(s)’s capacity to change.

No, this service is funded by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration so there are no costs for those accessing the service.

No. The Children’s Court Advocate and a Guardian ad litem have different roles. The Advocate’s role is specifically to listen to the child’s own views and share them with the court. For more information on Guardians ad litem please visit the Guardian ad litem National Service.

The Children’s Court Advocate:

• focuses only on the child’s views and wishes.
• does not interview anyone else.
• does not assess what is in the child’s best interests.

The child’s participation is voluntary and supported. The process is explained to the child clearly and sensitively. The child’s consent to engage is sought and confirmed throughout the process.

Where the child does not want to engage with the service, the Children’s Court Advocate will let the Judge know.

The report is prepared for the court. Parents or solicitors may only access it through the court process.

Each referral is considered carefully on its own merits. The presence of domestic violence does not automatically exclude a case, but the team will assess whether participation is suitable and safe for the child in the specific circumstances.

This pilot applies to cases before the District Court in Clonmel and Waterford only. It is linked to court jurisdiction, not where a family lives.

No. The judge remains responsible for making decisions in the child’s best interests. The role of the service is to ensure the child’s wishes and views are heard and considered as part of that process.

Roles include horticulture and grounds maintenance, parenting assistance, security, reception and care support. The exact placement will depend on your interests, skills and what is available at the time.

Yes — participants can work towards QQI qualifications as part of their time on the scheme.

The scheme runs for one to three years, depending on whether you are working towards a qualification or training pathway.

Participants work 19.5 hours per week.

Our goal is for every participant to leave with better prospects than when they arrived — whether that is a job, a college place, a trade, or a qualification. Our team supports participants to plan their next step before their time on the scheme ends.

Yes, this is fully accredited and recognised. Students sit seven ordinary level subjects and are supported in a small comfortable and personal way by our teaching staff.

Yes. A lot of our students proceed to one of the local universities ,MTU or UCC or decide they take up further education specialising in a trade.

No. Referrals can come from a variety of sources such as;

• Department of Education.
• School Liaison Officers.
• Tusla Social Workers.
• Garda Youth Diversion / Liaison.
• Probation Service.
• Internal Childhood Matters services.

Absolutely not.

Every young person deserves to feel respected, supported and capable of success. Because the school has small classes, students are taught in a personal and very supportive way, learning at their pace.

No. Lime Tree works with families who are already known to Tusla, and referrals can only be made by a Tusla Social Worker within the Cork South West network. If you are a parent or family member with concerns, your social worker can discuss whether Lime Tree might be able to help.

The Hardiker Scale is a framework used by Tusla and other agencies to describe the level of need within a family, ranging from universal support (Level 1) through to families in crisis (Level 4). Lime Tree generally works with families at Level 3 or 4, where there is a high level of need.

This depends on the type of support. The Intensive Family Support and Supported Reunification strands typically run for around six to nine months, beginning with a 12-week assessment period. Other strands, such as supervised access assessment, may run for shorter or longer periods depending on what’s needed.

At the end of the assessment, the team makes recommendations about what should happen next. This might mean ongoing intervention from Lime Tree, a referral to another service, or, in some cases, consideration of alternative care arrangements. Families are kept informed throughout.

Both. Limetree works with the family as a whole  as well as working with parents and carers and  also provides direct, one-to-one support to children and young people where this is needed

No. YPSP is a voluntary service, and you can get in touch yourself, or a family member can get in touch on your behalf. Professionals can also make a referral with your agreement, but it isn’t required.

No. YPSP is an early intervention service for any young parent who would like support — you don’t need to be involved with Tusla or have any child protection concerns to take part.

No, YPSP is a free service.

Most support takes place in your own home, but it can also happen in the community or at Childhood Matters — whatever works best for you.

YPSP supports young parents from pregnancy until their child turns two and eight months, or until the parent turns 24 — whichever comes first.

Yes. YPSP works with the wider family network where helpful, including partners, grandparents and other family members who play a role in the young parent’s life.

Yes. Estuary Way provides supported accommodation for young adults in Cork who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Estuary Way supports young adults aged 18 to 25.

No. Referrals are made through an agreed process involving the partner agencies.

No. Estuary Way does not accept direct referrals from members of the public. A parent or family member can speak to the professional or agency currently supporting the young adult

Residents receive accommodation and practical support, with access to therapeutic, mental health, wellbeing, education and employment services.

Yes. Staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

The expected or maximum length of stay has not yet been confirmed.

The Childhood Matters Early Years is available to any child between 4 months and 9 years.

All children are welcome irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, language, culture, disability, or learning difficulty.

Where necessary we operate a waiting list, this is administrated by the Service Manager.

Minimum enrolment is two days: either part-time or full time.

Please contact Elizabeth Cronin (Practice Manager) at 021-4357730 or by email: at lcronin@childhood-matters.ie to make an enquiry about the childcare options available and about the availability.

At Childhood Matters Early Years we are aware that the settling in period must be smooth and pleasant as possible for both children and parents.

You will be contacted to discuss your child’s settling-in and start dates.

Before the commencement of the placement, the child can avail of a settling in period, which provides for a part time stay in the crèche. This occurs over a week up to a maximum of two, if required. During this period the parents can stay with the child, or stagger their times with the child, increasing the time gradually that the child is left with the staff in the crèche. This settling period is free of charge. There is no settling period offered for the Afterschool & Sessional care (Pre-school).

Transitions involve a process of change that requires a period of adjustment for you and your child. To help your family adapt to change, we at Childhood Matters Early Years aim to provide as much continuity of education and care as possible. We will accomplish this by sharing information about your child and working closely with you, other providers who care for your child and any Primary School your child may move on to.

We endeavour to provide good communication with parents, as we consider and believe that parents are also partners in their child’s education and development. We endeavour to ensure good communication with parents by the following measures;

• We believe in a strong working partnership with our parents to ensure each individual child and parent is happy with the care we provide.
• Each child is assigned a key worker, who works with the child to ensure they are meeting their needs and developmental miles stones.
• Parent/teacher meetings
• All parents are provided with live updates with respect to their child’s day through the communication tool that we operate in our service – childcare software called Child Paths. Parents are provided with daily reports that record their child’s day: Food, nappy/toilet, sleep, and any other relevant information through Child Paths.

We recognize the importance of good quality, low-processed warm meals for children in ensuring they are most comfortable and nourished throughout the day. Childhood Matters Early Years’ Service has a healthy eating policy and we work in partnership with parents to advise them of the menus and nutritional value of the same. In the Sessional rooms, the parents/guardians bring in snacks and we encourage these to be healthy and in line with our policy recommendations.

Parents/Guardians: will be consulted about the dietary or religious requirements of their child and plans put in place to meet these requirements.

All staff at Childhood Matters Early Years are fully trained childcare professionals.

All staff is up to date with all mandatory training (Pediatric First Aid, Fire Safety and Manual Handing training, HACCP Level 1 & 2). Two staff members are fully trained First Aid responders (PHECC), Qualified LINC coordinators on site and one is in training to become the LINC coordinator.

All staff working in the Childhood Matters Early Years have been Garda Vetted and have completed the Children First e-learning programme and the certificate is available in the crèche office for compliance purposes.

Childhood Matters Early Years aims to ensure that all premises, indoor and outdoor activities, outings, materials and equipment are safe for children to use. We do daily risk assessments to check the outdoor areas and equipment before children arrive and after they leave. We ensure that any hazard is identified and removed, or minimised. We check all our appliances, toys and equipment. We also have CCTV in and around our premises and security guards constantly checking the surroundings.