We are delighted to announce the opening of two new residential care homes in Dublin this July. This marks our continued growth and ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality of care for all children with complex needs across Ireland. As a leading children’s residential care provider, we continue to focus on growth and development to meet the increasing demand for specialised therapeutic care services, as well as the growing number of Separated Children Seeking International Protection.
Meeting the Growing Need for Residential and SCSIP Care
The expansion of specialised residential care services equipped to deal with complex behavioural issues and trauma is more crucial than ever. There is a rising number of children requiring specialised support, therapy, education and care. According to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, “Tusla has experienced a significant increase in demand for services in recent years, including foster care.”
There is a significant need for the provision of care for Separated Children Seeking International Protection. “Many of these children may have high levels of vulnerability and have experienced significant trauma. Many face problems and challenges on issues including separation and bereavement from family and friends, social isolation, language barriers, emotional and mental health problems, discrimination and racism. In addition they have to live with the anxiety of possible removal from the country or uncertainty as to their future.”
As providers of specialised care, we are able to evolve and develop the trauma-informed therapy and care we provide to children who have experienced separation and loss in a highly traumatic and terrifying way. With the opening of these two homes in Dublin, and the help of our highly qualified and capable residential care workers, we are now in a position to help minors who have been separated from their families.
At Ashdale Care, we are striving to reach and provide for as many of these children and young people as possible. This is an ongoing project, and we are continually adding suitable properties across a number of regions in Ireland. Our two additional homes in Dublin are designed to create a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where these children and young people can thrive and be protected. Our growth is not about increasing capacity as quickly as we can, but about enhancing the quality of care we can provide to children from all backgrounds with varying needs.
Excellence in Residential Care
We take real pride in delivering the highest standards of care at Ashdale. We achieve this through the team of dedicated professionals at the heart of our work. Their unwavering passion and commitment to their work is what makes Ashdale Care a trusted name in specialised residential children’s care.
We believe that every child deserves a loving, supportive environment where they can grow. Our team works hard to transform these houses into welcoming homes. We select the homes that we add to our growing network with precision and care, based on criteria that include the proximity of the homes to essential services, a supportive community, and that the locations are secure and safe for young people. We must address every detail from structural integrity to interior design to ensure they meet the highest standards possible.
This involves rigorous safety inspections and the installation of very necessary security measures, such as alarm systems and secure access points. This is to create a protective environment, not just a nurturing one. Our new homes in Dublin are equipped with brand new furnishings and are fitted to the highest standard. We work hard to make them as comfortable as possible, so that the young people in our care feel truly at home. We encourage our children and young people to decorate their rooms and make the house feel special.
The process of expanding our services with additional homes is not without obstacles. Regulatory compliance can be complex, requiring continual coordination with local authorities, as well as adherence to evolving standards. Securing relevant planning permissions for change of use as a residential care home and drawing up a Schedule of Works in order to bring the fabric property up to Ashdale’s high standards. The Schedule of Works is put out to tender, and following the receipt of quotes for the works, a main contractor is appointed and a timeframe for the project agreed.
These works are critical to ensure the property complies with all of the relevant Building Control Regulations. Once the contractor is off site then the team gets to work in ensuring the property is painted, decorated and furnished to a high standard. And, of course, we have some scary moments when roofs have a tendency to move, houses aren’t built in accordance with Planning Permissions or the deed maps are completely inaccurate! However, we are incredibly lucky to be able to overcome these challenges through the expertise of our team.
Looking Ahead
“This is a brilliant project to be involved in and I’m very proud to be a part of it. To see the continued growth of Ashdale and seeing the new homes coming on stream, knowing that I have sourced, got through planning, conveyancing, drawn up a schedule of works, gone out to tender, linked in with the construction team throughout the works, has been challenging but extremely rewarding.” – Michael McGibbon, Health & Safety and Property Development Manager.
Although we are taking a moment to celebrate this exciting development, we remain committed to delivering the very best care to children with complex needs, who have experienced trauma or have been separated from their families and are in need of our protection. Our new homes in Dublin represent the promise we are making to continue to try to reach every child who needs our care. We are grateful for the support of our team, partners and community as we continue to transform the lives of children and young people in Ireland.