Integrated Care and Education (ICE)

St. Ultan’s is an integrated care and education model. This means that in addition to providing children with primary and early years education, we also put in place all of the necessary supports that are necessary for the child to succeed in later life.

• The following features ensure that St Ultan’s is a model of good practice to address disadvantage early on in a child’s life.

The Integrated Care and Education Model (ICE) is a way of being, it is an approach to supporting the whole child and family. The following distinctive features characterise the St. Ultan’s approach:

• Integrated: this means that the early childhood education and care is offered alongside primary education, family supports and therapeutic services. The two Boards of Management share responsibilities for governance across the entire Campus. There is strong and purposeful co-operation between Early Education practitioners and Primary School teachers, creating a smoother and more school-ready transition for children from early years to primary school.

• Open: this means that the Campus is open spatially and energetically to the entire community, using the premises in a way that the Programme for Government urges.

• Holistic: this means that the whole child and family is considered and provided for within the model of service. The needs of the individual child are identified, assessed and responded to; these include their physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, educational, social and economic development. The child is the microcosm of the greater Cherry Orchard community and beyond.

• Developmental: this means that attention is on the development of the whole child and his/her family and the wider community.

• Wrap around: this means that the child and his/her family experience wrap around care across all domains and on one safe site.

• Personalised: this means that the development of each child is anticipated and receives attention through a personalised ICE Plan.

• Safe: this means that the Campus space is safe and welcoming to all children and families, it is caring and stable for those who may experience difficulties coming into a school or care environment.

• Therapeutic: this means that St. Ultan’s provides therapeutic supports to all children including those experiencing ASD, e.g. speech and language therapy, play therapy and counselling. Therapies are also offered to parents and guardians.

• Nourishing: this means that children receive at least one nutritious meal each day on Campus prepared and delivered from our kitchen, efficiently and safely.

• Family oriented: this means that there is provision of supports to parents/guardians and family members, including life-long learning and sign-posting to other relevant services within the community.

• Preventative: this means that all our work on Campus is immediate and responsive to the needs of children and families. It is St. Ultan’s early intervention which has the power to break the cycle of disadvantage and to prevent further generational disadvantage that is likely to occur in the absence of its services and supports. An investment now in St. Ultan’s will help to reduce the long-term cost of chronic and enduring unemployment, addiction, anti-social behaviour and juvenile and adult crime.

• Community focused: this means that all members of the community are welcome on Campus and it provides local employment opportunities and a sense of belonging and support for local people