Child Health
Area Medical Teams visit schools in the area to give vaccinations like the MMR, Meningitis C, Rubella etc. They also work with Public Health Nurses to check on a child development from birth onwards, through a series of standard regular checks. Area Medical Officers also play an important role in managing outbreaks of illness like measles or mumps in the area. You can contact the Area Medical Officers at:
Community Services, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 778 4600
Community Services, Carlow Tel: (059) 913 6520

Immunisation
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting your child against certain diseases. Children and young people in Ireland are entitled to certain vaccinations and immunisation services free of charge. These vaccines are provided by your GP, in hospitals, at Health Centres, at home or at school.

For more information on immunisation talk to your GP, Public Health Nurse, call the HSE infoline 1850 24 1850 or visit - www.immunisation.ie

Social Work
The Social Work team in the Local Health Office is responsible for providing support to children and families in this community. This involves Family Support Services, and care for older people. In cases where children are at risk of harm through abuse, Child Protection Social Workers have an important role in providing care, assessment and follow up to those children and their families, through the Fostering and Child Protection Teams.

Contact your Social Work Team at:
Community Services, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 778 4600
Community Services, Carlow Tel: (059) 913 6520


Speech and Language Therapy Services
Speech and Language Therapy Services are provided for children and adults who need help developing their speech or who have had difficulty in this area:

Contact:
Community Services, Kilkenny Tel: (056) 778 4600
Community Services, Carlow Tel: (059) 913 6520


Dental Services
All Children under 12 are given dental checks and follow up if required, from the local Clinic. This service is usually accessed in the first place through a routine school visit.
Contact your local Health Centre for more information


Adoption Service
2 St. Andrew's Tce, Waterford Tel: (051) 860 048
Visit our section on Adoption here

Fostering
Fostering in Irelandmeans taking care of someone else's child in your own home. Children of all ages need foster care – from birth to late teens. Some children need short-term care; others may need long term care. Some children need to find a home that allows them to stay with their brother or sister. But whatever the circumstances, fostering a child is an incredibly rewarding experience. In an ideal situation, the child placed in foster care will return to his or her own family as soon as this is possible.

Fostering Service, HSE South, 2 St. Andrew's Terrace, Waterford. Tel: 051 860048

Community Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services
Department of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Waterford Tel: (051) 842 146
Community Child Centre Tel: (051) 842 691
Squashy Couch Adolescent Health & Information Project, Waterford Tel: (051) 859 061

Childminder Advisory Officer Service

Childminder Advisory Officer’s role:

• To provide a free support system for Childminders caring for 3 or fewer pre-school children.
• To promote voluntary notification of Childminders
• To provide advisory visits to Childminders homes.
• To provide information and training for Childminders
• To facilitate the establishment of local networks of such Childminders
• To provide Childminder Vacancy list for parents

Click here for more information on the Childminder Advisory Service