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.  

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.

Children’s Services, Enterprise Centre, Trim Road, Navan, Co Meath. Tel 046 9097802

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

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 at your local Health Centre, call the HSE info line 1850 24 1850 or visit - www.immunisation.ie

Regional Adoption Service North East - Cavan, Monaghan, Meath & Louth

Adoption Services for Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Louth are based in the Regional Child & Family Centre, St Mary’s Hospital, Dublin Road, Drogheda, Co Louth. Contact 041 9832963

Services are provided free of charge by a team of Professionally Qualified Social Workers

Pregnancy Counselling:
If you are pregnant and considering adoption there are several Adoption Societies located around the country. The Adoption Agency Social Worker is there to help you work out what is best for you and your baby.  The Social Worker will help you look at both the option of keeping your child or placing him/her for adoption. Considering Adoption does not mean you are committing yourself to an adoption decision.

There may also be a Social Worker available at the hospital you are attending.  It will be helpful for you to link in with the hospital Social Worker as soon as possible in your pregnancy so that you can be supported and provided with information and link to Services and Adoption Agencies.  The Social Worker can also facilitate arrangements for your care in the hospital.

Services for Irish & Intercountry Adoption:

Monthly Information Meeting on all aspects of adoption.
Full Preparation & Assessment Service for Irish and Inter Country Adoption.
One day  Forum for second time applicants for Intercountry & Domestic Adoption.
A Placement Service for Irish children available for adoption.
Marte Meo Therapeutic support is provided by Social Workers where challenges have arisen for children and when it is requested by parents.A yearly workshop is provided for adoptive parents on the topic of talking to their child about adoption.  This workshop is entitled “Conversations about Adoption”.

For Intercountry adopters written post placement reports are provided to your child’s country of origin.

Information & Tracing Service

Records held by the Regional Adoption Service – (North East) include the following.
Adoption files transferred from St Clare’s Adoption Society, Stamullen, Co Meath.      
Records transferred from the Mother & Baby Home, Ard Mhuire, Dunboyne, Co Meath.
Closed fostering files from Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan Community Care areas.

How to Apply for an Information & Tracing Service

If you are a natural/birth mother you should write to the Principal Social Worker at the above address with proof of identity.You will be given an appointment to meet a Social Worker who will provide support and counselling during the search for your adopted child.

If you are an adopted adult you should write in, with proof of identity to the Principal Social Worker. You will be provided with the non identifying information available on your file. If you wish to trace your natural family, you will be invited to attend a “Preparation for Search” group meeting prior to a search being undertaken. Research, counselling, and support will be provided by qualified and experienced Social Work staff throughout your tracing process.                  

If you are an adult who was fostered you should write to the Principal Social Worker at the above address with proof of identity. You will be given an appointment to meet a Social Worker who will provide support and counselling during the search for your family of origin.

If you are a natural father or sibling you should write with proof of identity to the Principal Social Worker. Your enquiry will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Contact us 

Principal Social Worker
Child & Family Centre
St Mary’s Hospital
Dublin Road
Drogheda,
Co Louth.

Tel no                041 9832963
Fax No               041 9833067

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