Ballymun Local
Drugs Task Force

Ballymun Network for Assisting Children and Young People

The Ballymun Network for Assisting Children & Young People (BNACYP) was established in 2005 by Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force due to concerns about a growing number of young people engaged in risky behaviours and the awareness thathere was not an adequate service response to their needs.

The Network brings together managers of local statutory, community and voluntary services with the aim of  “establish[ing] seamless working relationships between services and organisations responding to the needs of young people at high risk in Ballymun with a view to maximising service responses to this target group."

Since 2005, the membership has increased from eleven to eighteen agencies, with ongoing interest to join. Through thiscollective commitment, a case management system has been developed, which has enabled agencies to work more closely together, with and for vulnerable young people in Ballymun. The development of an Interagency Protocol has facilitated interagency case management and has helped build relationships which, in turn, have been instrumental in the progression of evidence based initiatives such as the Strengthening Families Programme (SFP)  

Network members are involved in numerous interagency areas of work which identifies and targets the needs of children,young people and families in the area. These include, but are not limited to, individual case management work; identifying and responding to emerging issues related to young people (e.g. Network Outreach Initiative); responding to training needs for practitioners (e.g. Marte Meo) and building on evidence based programmes such as SFP.

Now in 2012, the Network continues to align itself with national & international best practice policy and is working closely with the HSE to develop and improve systems of communication and responses to local needs. 

For further information on the BNACYP, please feel free to contact Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force on 01 8832142 or cliodhna@ballymundtf.ie

Agencies involved: Aisling Project; Ballymun Job Centre; Ballymun Principals Network (Primary Schools); Ballymun Educational Support Team (BEST); Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force (BLDTF); Ballymun Regional Youth Resource (BRYR); Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP); Ballymun Youthreach; Dublin City Council; An Garda Síochána; HSE Geraldstown House Family Resource Centre; Mater CAMHS; National Education Welfare Board; HSE Social Work; HSE Primary Care; Trinity Comprehensive School; Probation Service,Young Persons Probation; youngballymun.