Racefield

Racefield House is a medium to long term residential centre for boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18yrs. We provide therapeutic residential child care for young people whose emotional and developmental needs have not been met for a variety of reasons. The Centre provides a caring and stable structure, which can address the past hurts and present difficulties that young people who are out of home may be experiencing. While Racefield house is a mainstream residential service, we provide care and treatment within a therapeutic community approach. This is discussed in detail during referral and admission stage.

A Placement Plan is developed for each resident, which identifies their needs and promotes individual growth and group living skills. These plans are made in agreement with the young person, social worker, staff team and family, during referral and admission, and at review meetings.

Each resident is assigned a Key Worker who will support and guide him in his own development and in his relationships with significant others. Key work relationships and the purposeful use of the group experience are regarded as pivotal to social and emotional development and are the basis for the therapeutic work with the young people.

Each resident is encouraged and assisted in their educational / training pursuits and the development of skills and interests. Family contact is encouraged and nurtured and family members are included in planning for their child. Emphasis is placed on preparation for leaving care.

Referrals

We accept referrals for boys and girls from Social Workers in the H.S.E. Dublin/Mid-Leinster region. The age range for referrals is 12 to 18 years, with younger children considered in certain circumstances.

Referrals for admission must be submitted to:

Committee Secretary, Central Referrals Committee, HSE Dublin/Mid-Leinster, 52 Broomhill Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Procedures and requirements for submitting Referrals are contained in Central Referral Committee Statutory and Voluntary Children’s Residential Centres, Revised Policy and Procedures document, January 2013, copies of which can be obtained from the above address.

Following receipt of a referral for a child / young person, an assessment is made as to the suitability of the referral to our Centre. This is referred to as the “Local Process”, details of which can be found in the above mentioned document.

Social Workers will also be required to complete a Risk Assessment Form

The Local Process involves meetings with the child/young person and his family, his Social Worker, the Centre Manager, key worker and staff team. This is done through a number of meetings, day visits, overnights both weekday and weekends and a final series of consecutive overnights. The child / young person and Social Worker are given a programme of all overnights, visits, meetings and an admission date. This process is usually completed in 3-4 weeks.

On completion of a successful admission procedure, an outline Placement Plan is drawn up and agreed and a placement is offered to the child / young person.