FamiliBase Philosophy
The overall philosophy of FamiliBase’s model of practice and service delivery is reflected in the organisation’s values. It is underpinned and informed by three discourses; the discourses of ecological systems theory, equality of outcome and community development.
Ecological Systems Theory[2]
Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theoretical framework is used in terms of understanding the external influences upon the child/young person and his/her subsequent development and the interaction of the various external factors and systems that operate around an individual child/young person.
Bronfenbrenner’s theory identifies 5 subsystems whose existence and interrelationships he proposes have an impact on human growth, development and behaviour. FamiliBase’s model is developed in cognisance of the subsystems that operate in and around a child and young person and also in how the subsystems interact with each other and to what end.
Equality of Outcome
Lynch and Lodge’s framework of four major generative roots of inequality also influences FamiliBase’s model of practice. In particular their identification of the separate but inter-related challenges for those interested in social change. FamiliBase are mindful of these four areas of inequality in planning its programme delivery and seeking to effect change in partnership with the children, young people, families and wider community.
Source of inequality |
Source
of inequality |
Source
of inequality |
Source
of inequality |
Distribution |
Recognition |
Representation |
Affective |
Patterns of ownership, control, distribution, opportunities and consumption |
Culturally based systems of recognition, non-recognition and misrecognition, status-related inequalities i.e. those arising from sexuality, religion, beliefs, ethnicity |
In contexts where power is enacted, in realms of decision making, in systems of inclusion/exclusion in the exercise of power |
Relations of dependency and interdependency, human beings are not just rational actors; they are also affective agents in social & political life |
Principles of Community Development
Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people by providing these groups with the skills they need to affect change in their own communities. Community developers must understand both how to work with individuals and how to affect communities’ positions within the context of larger social institutions.
Community Development Exchange (www.cdx.org.uk) defines community development as
“both an occupation (such as a community development worker in a local authority) and a way of working with communities. Its key purpose is to build communities based on justice, equality and mutual respect.”
In the context of the work that FamiliBase is engaged with, it is the way of working that is most relevant.
“Community development involves changing the relationships between ordinary people and people in positions of power, so that everyone can take part in the issues that affect their lives. It starts from the principle that within any community there is a wealth of knowledge and experience which, if used in creative ways, can be channeled into collective action to achieve the communities’ desired goals.”
Board Directors listing 2019
Name |
Area of expertise |
Date of commencement |
1. Cllr. Daithi Doolan |
Local Government, Community Development, Addiction |
April 2014 |
2. Stewart Dunne |
Accountancy, Audit, Finance, Company Management |
April 2017 |
4. Gordon Clark |
Lifelong Learning, Training & Education, Finance, Governance & Management |
November 2017 |
5. Derek McDonnell |
Youth Community Work, Research, Programme Management, Mental Health, Equality, Community & Voluntary sector |
March 2018 |
6. Paul Hand |
Local Government, Entreprise & Innovation, Community & Voluntary sector |
June 2018 |
7. Lynsey Holmes |
Social Care, Youth Work, Child Protection, Programme Management, Community & Voluntary sector |
October 2018 |
8. Kay Noonan |
Local Government, Community Development |
July 2019 |
9. Hazel Norton |
Local Government, Community Development, Early Years |
August 2019 |
10. Oonagh Kelly |
HR & Staff Development, Inclusivity & Diversity, Strategic Planning, Management, Governance & Administration |
June 2020 |
11. Emer Mullins |
Community & Voluntary sector, Strategic Planning, Risk, Management, Governance & Administration, Communications & PR, Funder Representation, Lobbying & Fundraising, HR & Staff Development |
June 2020 |
FamiliBase Board of Directors meet on Tuesdays on a 6 weekly basis.
[1] See FamiliBase model of practice image
[2] FamiliBase Youth Supports operate from a Critical Social Education Model of Youth Work whilst also recognising the ecological systems theory framework in the context of the relationships with individuals’ environments within communities and the wider society.