General information on the setting

“Saidhbhín Care” was set up in June 1993. We are based in Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, which is a rural town. We presently offer a service to eighteen families. All our young people are aged 6-18 years. All students live at home and are integrated into mainstream schools, while three of our students travel daily to St. Frances Special School in Beaufort.

Description of good practice

• I see us as a visible service in the community, where our young people are well integrated and included in rural community life
• All are involved in a Special Olympics Programme and presently two different athletes attend the Special Olympic Host Town meetings with the local committee.
• We use all local resources i.e. shops, hairdresser, restaurants, beach, parks etc
• Students from the local schools and colleges come on work placements. We have a training package in place for students. We also give talks in schools.
• We have an open door policy where the public and parents are free and welcome to drop in and visit us
• We offer a friendship scheme to some of our students where they invite a friend from mainstream school to the centre. This helps with integration especially in the school yard, it also helps with people who have an intellectual disability maintain friendships till later in life.
• Each year we offer parents a training day i.e. topic – challenging behaviour, integration, care for me etc.

Name of Organisation: St. Mary of the Angels
Name of Service: Saidhbhín Care Day Centre
Address: Reenrusheen, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry - Ireland

Telephone: 00353-66-9473084 Fax: 00353-66-9473292
Email:akeane1@eircom.net

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