FamiliBase’s vision:

Our organisational vision is to co-create and sustain environments where children, young people and families can grow, develop and flourish in a way that encourages and promotes individual and family potential.

FamiliBase’s mission:

We will provide a continuum of care through a targeted multidisciplinary approach. We will work collaboratively and share progressive practice. We will build a vibrant, sustainable organisation to facilitate the on-going development of our practice and our service.

FamiliBase’s values:

Respect

Integrity

Equity

Partnership

Professionalism

What kind of organisation is FamiliBase?

FamiliBase is a community based, not for profit organisation with charitable status that works with children, young people and families supported by a range of funders.  It is a Company Limited by Gurantee (CLG) and a Type C organisation under the Charity Regulator’s Governance Code.  FamiliBase has a voluntary Board of Directors with a range of expertise across key areas e.g. finance, accountancy, business, youth work, equality, social care practice, life-long learning, child protection, community development, local government, addiction, public relations.

FamiliBase recognises that not all children, young people and families have the same opportunities and therefore we positively target our resources to promote equality of outcome.  FamiliBase demonstrates respect by welcoming, acknowledging, actively listening, empathising, compassionately challenging, affirming and celebrating individual successes.  FamiliBase commits to integrity at all times by being honest and authentic in our work, accountable in our actions, transparent in our behaviour and interactions and at all times aware of our duty of care to children, young people and families.  Partnership informs all of the work of FamiliBase.  FamiliBase works in partnership on a number of levels.  We partner with children, young people and families, in addition to local, national and statutory organisations, including our funders.  We work collaboratively, respectfully and transparently across all of our partnerships while keeping our advocacy role to the forefront of our work.

Key messages about what FamiliBase does?

• FamiliBase works with children, young people and families in the local community of Dublin 10

• FamiliBase works with children and gives them opportunities to develop in their early years

• FamiliBase works with young people giving them opportunities to develop, challenge and grow

• FamiliBase works with children, young people and families to help them solve challenges they may be experiencing

• FamiliBase helps children, young people and families take messages to local education and health providers about what works for them and what is not working for them.

• FamiliBase helps the community to take messages to local and national decision makers and funders on what works in their community

• FamiliBase helps the community talk about the impact of poverty and inequality on their families and community over time

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.

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

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.