What we do and who delivers it?

St Paul's Child and Family Care Centre (CFCC) provides a respite service for children based in North Dublin, from 5 to 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of autism. Most of the children who use our services also have an intellectual disability.

We're here to help your child gain new skills, make new friends and have fun experiences. By doing this, we help you and your family get some free time to do whatever you need to do.

All our services are free of charge.

Benefits to your child

Children who come to St Paul's for respite often:

gain independence
learn new skills
have an improved quality of life
have fun and experience new things

Benefits to you

Parents of children who come to St Paul's for respite tell us that it:

gives them time to recharge or focus on other children
reduces their stress and have a positive impact on their mental health
teaches their children new skills and gives them fun experiences

Types of respite

We provide:

overnight respite at our 3 houses
day respite at our Willow Club facility

Overnight respite

Our overnight respite service offers children with autism a chance to stay at one of our community-based houses in Dublin 9.

Most children in our respite service stay once every week or once every two weeks.

We decide how many days of respite your child gets based on:

your child's care needs
your family's needs
how well your child is suited to other children already in our service
staff needed to support your child

Our respite houses are designed to replicate a "home from home" environment that promotes a good quality of life and ensures privacy and dignity in safe and secure premises. We encourage all children to bring favourite items so they can make their space at St Paul's feel like home.

Houses

Children stay in one of our 3 houses. These are bright, modern, spacious and welcoming – a "home away from home".

Our houses are in:

Coolatree
Dromawling
Santry

School

Your child will go to their school as usual and come to St Paul's for respite after their school day. You will need to arrange transport to and from respite for your child.

If your child goes to St Paul’s Special School, a member of our team bring them to and from school.

Activities

We encourage children to be as independent as possible and to take part in activities they enjoy.

For example:

cooking and meal prep
arts and crafts
using a sensory room
watching TV or cinema trips
listening to music, dancing and going to concerts
accessing the community, visiting coffee shops and local parks

Mealtimes

We provide nutritious, tasty meals for your child while they are with us. Your child can also bring their own specific foods if they need to.

Day respite

Our day respite service, called Willow Club, is based in our main hub in Beaumount.

We offer children one session per week. During school days this runs from 2.30pm to 7.30pm. On weekends and school holidays times vary.

We usually have 4 children sharing in each group.

We offer a range of activities ot help your child socialise, learn new skills and have fun.

Events

Winter Wonderland

We invite family members of the children who attend our service to celebrate Christmas with us at our Winter Wonderland event. Guests can enjoy festive food, fun activities and some time to chat with Santa.

“As a parent if a special needs child trust is very difficult indeed. So it is a big deal when I say I trust ALL of you completely…Thank you for all the patience, kindness and care you all gave… I appreciate lengths you made to accommodate our family, it really helped to make our lives that little bit easier and we will be forever grateful.”