May 23, 2013: A community based response to conflict has been found to reduce disputes by 43% and significantly improve relationships with service providers, work colleagues and neighbours. The report on a Restorative Practice Programme run in Tallaght West by the Childhood Development Initiative found that the greatest gain made in the reduction of disputes was […]

May 20, 2013: Speaking at a seminar organised by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) today, CDI Strategy and Corporate Services Manager Michelle Butler outlined steps that can be taken in the design and delivery of education to better support outcomes for children in disadvantaged areas. The recommendations were drawn from seven prevention and early intervention programmes […]

March 20, 2013: Community based responses to crime and anti-social behaviour can reduce re-offending by up to 40% – a conference heard today. Speaking at a conference on ‘Restorative Practice’, University of Ulster Lecturer Tim Chapman, said research in Northern Ireland found that offenders who participated in Restorative Practice processes were up to 40% less […]

February 2, 2013: The importance of parent support and education has been highlighted in the findings of a major report into early years supports for children in disadvantaged areas. The finding is contained in an evaluation of an Early Years Service which was coordinated by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) and aimed to support and target […]

November 15, 2012: The report found that a dedicated speech and language service would enable more children to receive the intervention earlier which would help to remove or reduce a significant disadvantage from them before starting school. The Report was launched by the Childhood Development Initiative which has co-ordinated research and evaluation of early intervention and […]

November 6, 2012: A major research programme has identified an effective approach to improve children’s literacy in disadvantaged communities – and recommended this approach become available to other communities wanting to improve early childhood literacy. Launching the Evaluation Report of Doodle Den, a children’s literacy programme run in Tallaght West from 2008-2011, the Childhood Development Initiative […]

October 23, 2012: Almost 140 children are to benefit from improved reading and comprehension skills as a children’s literacy programme in Tallaght is being extended for an additional year – and being expanded to Limerick. The children will be taking part in Doodle Den, an after-school programme to improve reading and comprehension of 5-6 year olds in […]

October 3, 2012: St Mark’s Community School has become the first school in Ireland committed to the use of Restorative Practice. The process began in 2010 and staff members, students and parents have all been involved in training in Restorative Practice (RP). RP is an internationally recognised approach to manage conflict and tensions in communities and […]

June 20, 2012: 55 people from across the community in Tallaght were awarded certificates in Life and Community Coaching, after completing a course organised by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI). The successful participants learnt about community working and how they can also support others to be effective community workers. Many of the graduates are working in childcare, health […]

June 13, 2012: Doodle Den provides early literacy model for Communities. 105 kids from Tallaght West today celebrated improved literacy skills after completing an intensive early years intervention programme. The children worked hard since last September completing three hour-and-a-half long after-school sessions each week, as part of the Doodle Den programme co-ordinated by the Childhood Development Initiative […]