Community Families
Supporting and Empowering Parents through Home Visiting

"Check Our News Section for More Updates"
Get in touch with your local project!

Community Families is a home visiting programme which puts parents first, supporting them in their new relationship with their child.

Parents are connected with a trained Home Visitor who supports them to become confident and grow as parents.

The Home Visitor provides support and information to parents from pregnancy until their child is 3 years of age.

Community Families is not a ‘one size fits all’. Instead, it can be flexible to all families, their unique needs and circumstances.

Community Families offers a variety of group supports. It supports building friendships and connections within a family’s local area.

Community Families was originally called the Community Mothers Programme.
It has recently been reviewed and updated. In 2024, the National Community Families Programmes was launched and the 7 sites are planning their own local launches. A number of new sites are in development with Community Families.

Learn More!

Our Vision

All children should have the best start in life through:
secure and trusted relationships with their parents and families; in safe and loving homes; within supportive communities; where their health, wellbeing and learning can thrive.

Community Families aims

The Community Families Programme aims to:

  • Improve the lives of children, their parents and families through trusted relationships with Home Visitors
  • Work in partnership with parents to support their child’s health, wellbeing, and learning ensuring they reach their full potential
  • Support the special bond between parents and their children as this is the foundation for positive life outcomes
  • Support families to learn more about their child’s development and learning at home
  • Ensure parents and families feel supported in their local communities building friendships, connections and accessing supports and services.

Home visitors provide:

  • Support
  • Information
  • Phone or virtual support
  • Signposting or referral to other services
  • Joint working with other services and supports
  • Community groups such as:
      • Pregnancy Support Groups
      • Parent-Baby Groups
      • Parent-Toddler Groups
      • Weaning / Feeding / Breastfeeding Support Groups
      • Circle of Security Parenting
      • Other Parenting Groups e.g. Incredible Years, Parents Plus or Triple P

Learn more about the Programme

Values & Principles
Duration & Delivery
IMpact
Download our introduction leaflet

What Parents say

110% made a difference, the tips that I have got are just unbelievable. That one that I would have got is how much singing is great for the baby. She absolutely loves it.
I was really doubting myself as a Parent but the impact on my confidence, it was really important, and it should really be made known - like I was all over the place, looking back
This was such an impact for us, or for me as a mother, I think in a way she made me want to do like so much better, like so she has
It doesn't feel like we're on different levels, it feels like we're a kind of, not like a partnership, but an equal relationship
It made me come back to myself
Just seeing my Home Visitor provided reassurance, and if you have issues, you can just talk about them
Previous
Next

Information for Parents

Parents can contact the service provider directly by phone, email or by dropping into the office. Contact details for all current providers are available below

Find your local Project
  • It is a free support open to all parents and families living in a specified area
  • Get in touch directly with your local Community Families Programme or
  • Ask your PHN, GP or other services to make a referral
  • Once you’ve contacted them, they will get in touch with you within two weeks
  • They will arrange for a member of their Home Visiting team to get in touch. During this first home visit, you get to meet, chat and ask questions with your home visitor
  • They can tell you more about how the Programme can support you and what other Community supports are available to you.
  • They will be keen to get to know you and find out how they can support you, your child and your wider family
  • If you would like to continue, your home visitor will arrange a follow-up visit where you can share more information about your needs
  • Home visits start weekly depending on your child’s age. If you are unsure whether you want to participate after having a first home visit, your home visitor can check in with you by phone. Should you wish to have more regular home visits or attend group supports, the service can be flexible to meet your needs.

Want a community families programme in your area?

A first step in exploring if the Programme is required in your local area is to carry out a needs assessment in conjunction with all your local interagency partners. Your Local Children and Young Peoples Services Committee is an excellent place to start.

Work collaboratively with:

  • your local Tusla colleagues
  • HSE Primary Care, especially your Director of Public Health Nurse colleagues
  • HSE Health and Wellbeing Services
  • HSE Maternity Services

Establishing a Community Families Programme in your area requires engaging with the Community Families Support to learn more about:

  • the Programme itself
  • the criteria needed to deliver the Programme
  • how to secure endorsement for Programme delivery
  • what steps can be taken locally to explore if the Programme meets local needs and to ensure local interagency support for the Programme