Services for Children and Adults

The support we provide is individually tailored so that it enables people to have as much choice and control over what they do as possible.

Because those we support live in local communities, they have the opportunity to play a full role in society. Going to the local leisure centre, using public transport, shopping or going to church may sound like everyday activities, but for some they can be life–changing experiences.

We have a range of services which include:

Supported living services
Peripatetic housing support services
Short break (respite) services
HomeShare (Shared Lives) services
Family support services
Older carers programmes
“Hard to reach” programmes for adults with a disability
Individualised funding support

How do I access the services?

Access to Positive Futures’ services is by referral from your social work, or health care professional.

You can also purchase services from us directly using state sponsored Personalisation or Individualised Funding Which gives you greater control of the services you receive, enabling you to determine what services you “buy”.

Funding from the State can be in the form of Direct Payments, Personal Budgets or Individual Budgets. Positive Futures has also been working with families who use their own resources to purchase the services they want and need.

What our services can do for you

HomeShare (Shared Lives) Services
The Mo Shaol HomeShare Service enables children and adults with a learning disability, physical disability, acquired brain injury or autism to be supported by a another volunteer family, or an individual for a short break, or on a longer term basis.

Mo Shaol was established in 2013 in Louth as an alternative respite option. Since then it has gone from strength to strength with Positive Futures partnering with the HSE in 2017 to expand this service for adults and children across Louth and Meath.

This service supports ordinary, yet extraordinary people, who have time in their lives and, where needed, space in their homes to offer someone support. Each HomeShare arrangement is unique with placements based on what the person being supported needs and what the host can offer, from day breaks to long term care arrangements.

Hosts receive a fee in accordance with the level of support they offer.

In short, hosts facilitate new opportunities and experiences for the person they support in a community setting.

Could you be a HomeShare Host?

Hosts come from all walks of life and are supported by our staff from Positive Futures HomeShare Service who manage placements on behalf of the HSE. We ensure that you have the required training and guidance, so you are confident when providing support. We provide ongoing training and guidance including professional social work support.

If you would like to find out more about being a Homeshare Host please contact our HomeShare Service Manager, Kirsty Cooke, at kirsty.cooke@positive-futures.net.

Family Support Services
This support service is intended for families with one, or more children with an intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, or autism. Staff and volunteers from these services support the whole family, providing opportunities for children and young people to become more involved in the community and make it possible for parents, brothers and sisters to enjoy fuller lives. These services have proven to be very effective in supporting children and young people, their siblings and their parents / carers.

Residential Short Breaks
Residential short break (respite) services for children or adults offer opportunities to spend quality time away from family while giving families a break from caring. We can develop short break services that also offer “outreach” support to children, young people or adults in their own homes.

Better Futures – Support For Older Carers
Better Futures services are for older people who care for a family member with an intellectual disability, acquired brain injury or autism. Older carers often feel isolated and are fearful about the future. Better Futures’ staff and volunteers provide advice and practical support, including emergency and futures planning, easing anxiety.

Supported Living Services
These services (also called Self Directed Supported Living) offers the people we support the opportunity to live where and how they choose – in a home of their own or with people they choose to live with. We work with housing providers to make this possible. Houses are based in local communities and our teams of Support Workers follow individuals’ support plans to provide people with the type of support they need during the day and, if necessary, at night. This means that the people we support can do things in their local community – like going to the leisure centre, using the bus, shopping and going to church – and do as much as they can for themselves, like cooking, shopping, budgeting and personal care.

Peripatetic Housing Support Services
We also provide services for people who already have their own tenancy but need support with things like managing their money, developing new skills, shopping, cooking or socialising . These services generally offer a lower level of support, sometimes for a shorter term.

‘Hard to Reach’ Programmes for adults with a disability
We supports ‘hard to reach’ adults with an intellectual disability, acquired brain injury or autism by bringing them together with other people who act as mentors. During this time, the person being supported gains confidence and attains goals that might otherwise have proved impossible.