Rethink Ireland choose Parents Plus as one of the 2021 Awardees of SED Fund and Business Accelerator Programme

2021 Social Enterprise Development Fund

We’re honoured to be chosen by Rethink Ireland for the 2021 Social Enterprise Development Fund and Business Accelerator Programme to help bring our first in the world, evidence-based Parents Plus Special Needs Programme to disability services across Ireland, to strengthen families and improve outcomes for families rearing an adolescent or young adult with an intellectual disability.

The Social Enterprise Development Fund is a €3.2 million Fund being delivered from 2018 – 2022. The fund was created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and funded by IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Dormant Accounts Fund.

First in the world

The new Parents Plus Special Needs Programme (PPSN) is the first in the world, evidence-based programme to address the underserved needs of marginalised young people, 12-25 years, with intellectual disabilities and their families. The programme is designed to be delivered by disability services to parents, free of charge and early on in their journey, to empower parents with the proven tools to improve outcomes not just of their child, but all of their family, realise their full potential, belong to, and contribute to an inclusive society.

In 2019/2020, in a large Randomised Controlled Trial with Trinity College Dublin Psychology Department, parents attending the Parents Plus Special Needs Programme reported significant improvements in: 

  • Parenting practices 
  • Problem behaviours 
  • Parental satisfaction 
  • Self-efficacy, and 
  • Goal attainment  

Rethink Ireland, thank you!

We are extremely grateful for this incredible opportunity to be afforded world class expertise, and to partner with Rethink Ireland to scale our impact, and make a lasting difference to marginalised families and the disability services who are set up to support them. Thank you to everyone in Rethink Ireland!!! #TheFutureIsSocial