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Inishowen Family Action Network (IFAN)

Inishowen Family Action Network (IFAN) was set up in 2007 in response to research commissioned by the HSE and carried out with children, young people, their families and the agencies and organisations supporting them across Inishowen.

Needs Identified:

The research carried out in 2006 identified a need for a more collaborative approach to supporting families in all spheres of their lives. The aim is to create an environment for a joined up and integrated approach to supporting parents and those in parenting roles, children, and young people living in Inishowen. IDP hosts this network made up of 115 members who are working with and for children, young people, parents and families across Inishowen. Members are circulated a collated activities link each moth on all things happening across IFAN Members and on posts and notices relevant to Inishowen.

IFAN demonstrates a high level of interagency working and meaningful collaboration. Collaborative interventions have included: 

  • Establishing a sub-group and supporting families impacted by Defective Concrete Blocks/MICA – set up in 2021 and ongoing
  • Coordinating and hosting seminars – e.g. Managing Anxiety in Children and Minding Your Mental Health.
  • Coordination of training and development opportunities e.g. National Separation Network; Sláintecare Healthy Communities; Rainbows; Community Resilience Training; etc,

IFAN is currently the host for the Child and Family Support Network (CFSN) under TUSLA Prevention Partnership and Family Support (PPFS), Sláintecare Healthy Communities in Inishowen, DCB/MICA supports and Connecting Communities as well as the Community Health Forum and linking with the HSE Community Healthcare Network in the area. IFAN is an open and welcoming network of stakeholders and service providers in the Inishowen Peninsula.

IFAN includes a range of services and supports working with and for children, young people, families and the community in Inishowen.

These range from those in the community and voluntary sector, funded services, statutory agencies, schools, youth sector. On average 30 active attending members and a mailing list of over 100 individual reps from above groups.

IDP chairs these meetings, alongside administrative and communication role as well, sharing out regularly on member activities and other information of relevance.

IFAN Connecting Communities:

The IFAN Integrating Communities subgroup purpose is to support the inclusion and integration of new communities, with a priority focus on refugees and asylum seekers, in the Inishowen area.  The group will also work to identify existing gaps in services and supports within the network area and respond to these needs by linking in or advocating with local agencies/departments relevant to situations that arise.

Contact: denise@inishowen.ie rachel@inishowen.ie

For more information about supports for migrants, click here

IFAN/DCB Sub Group:

The IFAN DCB working group set up to address the challenges facing families affected by MICA/DCB and provide community responses worked on actions collectively.  Two DCB Facilitators are now in place, and a range of supports continue to be offered in schools, community settings and via counselling supports. From 2025 will be now be part of the main IFAN group.

Contact: denise@inishowen.ie  rachel@inishowen.ie

For more information about DCB supports, click here