Childhood Development Initiative

Last week, CDI proudly celebrated an inspiring group of graduates who successfully completed CDI's 'Training of Restorative Practices Trainers' course.

Over seven days of intensive learning, practice, and commitment, they developed the skills, confidence, and leadership needed to train and support others in Restorative Practices. Their work will help strengthen relationships and shape more connected ways of working, living, and engaging in schools, organisations, and communities.

Adrian Nugent, Head of Education Welfare Services at Education Authority (Northern Ireland), presented the certificates on the day.

As part of the Education Authority (Northern Ireland), they are now equipped to further embed Restorative Practices across schools, organisations, and communities as part of everyday culture and practice.

A huge congratulations to all our graduates. We are incredibly proud of your achievement and excited to see the positive impact you will continue to make across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Learn more about CDI Restorative Practices, see 1st comment.

A great couple of days for our Chit Chat Speech & Language team!

Our Senior Speech and Language Therapists, Caitríona Geraghty and Niamh Egan, attended the Biennial Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) Conference in Portlaoise.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to connect in person with fellow Child and Family Agency - Tusla Area Based Childhood Programme (ABC) Speech and Language Therapists from across the country.

CDI's Chit Chat programme supports young children and their families in developing speech, language, and communication skills. Designed as an early intervention service, it brings together education, health, and childcare services to make support more accessible for families who need it most.

Chit Chat works at three levels
1. Universal — for all children and families
2. Targeted — for those who need a little extra support
3. Specialist — for children with identified needs

We work in partnership with parents, early years services, and primary schools to help little ones build their listening, understanding, and speaking skills — right from the start.

This week, it was a pleasure to host team members from the Offaly Traveller Movement (OTM) at CDI. They are fellow awardees of the Rethink Ireland Brighter Futures Fund, which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing for marginalised groups in Ireland.

We provided an overview of CDI's Youth Mental Health programme, Nova, and our Restorative Practices programme, and discussed how both organisations could collaborate going forward. We look forward to continuing these talks.

I am regularly amazed by my colleagues here at CDI and by how much they manage to fit into their roles and working weeks! That can only be done when you are passionate about what you do and dedicated to delivering the best for the communities you work with.

Here are two of our Parent Carer Facilitators, Claire and Joy, who are running a Circle of Security group for parents at Killinarden Family Resource Centre over the next eight weeks. The Circle of Security approach helps caregivers build secure, trusting relationships by recognising children’s emotional needs and responding with both support and safe boundaries.

Joy is one of our Home Visitors, visiting expectant and new mums in their homes and offering support and guidance to mums and dads during those early days of parenting.

Claire is one of our Parent Carer Facilitators working in an Early Childhood Education Centre. She works directly with parents and carers and is available to support them with the many challenges they may face.

Learn more about our Powerful Parenting Programme here:
CDI Powerful Parenting Programme