Services

Special National School

For those children assessed as having more significant needs, Carmona services provide a Special National School – for children aged between 5 and 18 years. It provides a broad and balanced curriculum as recommended by the Department of Education and Science guidelines. Their goal is to give every child the opportunity to develop to his/ her greatest potential in a happy and secure learning environment. Carmona Special National School believes in empowering parents/ guardians as primary educators of their children. The Parents Association is very active in contributing to the work of the school. Please contact the Principal for further details.

Early Services

Early Services provides information, guidance and support to parents and families during the early development of their child. From birth to five years of age, parents and staff work closely to achieve the child’s potential. The service is provided in both the family home and in Carmona services in Kildarton, which is situated in Glenageary. This service is available if you reside in the catchment area. Contact the Supervisor for more details.

Referrals for this service may be made to the Clinical Secretary. Informal enquiries should be made to Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Co-ordinator of Children’s Services or Ruth Robinson, Principal Social Worker.
Download more information (pdf) and Stepping Stones (pdf)

The First Step

The First Step into the service is facilitated by the Early Services team. Input may be provided by the team of professionals consisting of: Social worker, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, Speech & Language therapist, Nurse, Montessori teacher, Occupational therapist, and Childcare staff.

A Home Visitor will be assigned to you and your family and will visit you on a fortnightly basis in your home, should you wish. This person will work with you through the early stages of your child’s development and will be your link to all the other supports and professionals that you may need. A weekly Parent & Baby Group is also held in Kildarton. Here parents get the opportunity to meet other parents and share experiences in a warm and friendly environment.

Second Step

When children reach 2½ years approximately, they will be offered a place in our Second Step programme. This specialised playgroup takes place in Kildarton four mornings a week from 9.30am until 12.30 pm. Some families will opt for mainstream playgroups for their children and will continue to be supported by the service if assessed as being in the moderate / severe / profound range of intellectual disability.

Outreach Support

Outreach support continues for children who are integrated in a variety of mainstream Montessori schools and primary schools situated in our catchment area. The Outreach team act as a link between the child, the parents and the school. Carmona Psychological services and the Outreach team offer guidance and support to children, teachers and families. Psychological assessments may also be provided. Other services provided to children and families in the Outreach programme include multi disciplinary support, Friendship Clubs, coffee mornings and information evenings. Contact the Supervisor for more details.
Download more information (pdf), Activities available (pdf)and Starting Primary School (pdf)

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Children’s Respite Service

Carmona Children’s Respite Services are available for all children in Carmona up to 18 years of age. Angels Quest is a 10 bedded child focused facility which provides for a range of supports. It is located on the Carmona campus; we offer extended day respite for children from Kildarton & the Special National School. We facilitate after school provision for children in mainstream school. We provide opportunities for families to avail of short-term overnight breaks and aim to assist children to make friends while expressing independence in a home-from-home environment. A ‘crisis care’ bed is always available in the event of a family emergency. Find out more

In-Home support

In-Home support is also offered in your child’s own home. Our In-Home Support instructor is involved in providing a time limited service, offered in specific blocks, to individual children in order to offer support at times of family crisis or illness and respond at times of change, e.g. a new baby. More on In-home support