Learning & Education

Family Carers Ireland Education and Training Programmes provide family carers with information, knowledge, insights and practical tips to help them develop new understanding and skills important in their caring role while raising awareness of self-care when providing care for a family member.   

Many carers put their own health and wellbeing low on their list of priorities.  A range of self-care tools and techniques is explored throughout our programmes to assist carers to discover a technique that works for them and supports their own well-being.  Learning and Education helps carers to develop a greater understanding of their role and can give them new or enhanced skills that support them in their caring role while creating new opportunities for carers outside of that role.

Training is currently delivered online. 

SPRING SUMMER 2022

Education and Training Programmes

Communication with your GP - empowering family carers

Are you a family carer, caring for a loved one, relative, friend or neighbour with additional needs? Join us for a FREE “Communication with your GP - empowering family carers” workshop aimed at supporting YOU, the family carer.

The workshop will cover:
• The impact of your caring role on your own health and wellbeing
• Discuss any health concerns you may have personally with your doctor
• Increase your confidence in discussing concerns about the person you care for
• Increase your confidence/assertiveness in discussing aspects of your caring role that you are concerned about

Dates & Times: March 29th, 10:30am-12:30pm

Registration: Please click here to register or email Bernadette at boconnor@familycarers.ie. Early registration is advised as places are limited.

Caring with Confidence

Caring with Confidence is Family Carers Ireland's core introductory education and training programme for family carers of older people.  Over the course of this twelve-week introductory education programme, family carers will explore the caring role, gain practical care skills, learn about available supports and services and acquire a range of knowledge to positively enhance their wellbeing. 

Dates & Times: TBC (3 programmes to be rolled out)

QQI Level 6 Certificate in Family Caring

This course is developed to support family carers in their role caring for their loved ones. Completing this certificate will support family carers to:

• Develop an understanding of their role as carers and gain skills to effectively communicate with other professionals when meeting the needs of their family member.
• Develop skills to ensure they are providing safe care in the home and gain practical care skills relevant to family members as well as the ability to design a person-centred plan.
• Gain an understanding of relevant legislation and help to identify supports in their valued role as a family carer.

Dates & Times: TBC

Mental Health & Family Caring – Supporting the Supporters

Family Carers Ireland is pleased to have partnered with Mental Health Ireland to co-produce the Mental Health and Family Caring: Supporting the Supporters education programme.  This five-week online programme's aim is to support the supporters of people with mental health challenges.

Adapted from the Meriden Family Programme 'Caring for Carers', this programme has been co-produced with family carers, supporters, people with lived experience of mental health challenges and service providers. Click here to download an information booklet.

Dates & Times: Recovery College South East is now taking names for the online programme starting on March 2nd from 10am-12pm for 5 weeks.

Registration: Please call 056 770 3666 or 086 1746 330 or email recoverycollegesoutheast@gmail.com.

Parents Plus Special Needs Programme

This seven-week programme of education is for parents of adolescent children (10-19 years) with a mild to moderate intellectual disability.  Parents have the opportunity to meet other parents in a supportive group to help their children reach their full potential.  Parents learn how to cope and manage stress, support their children’s needs and develop connected and close family relationships.

Dates & Times: TBC (3 programmes to be rolled out)

Last Aid

Family Carers Ireland in partnership with Tipperary ETB (TETB) and the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) are proud to introduce the LAST AID programme to Ireland.  Last Aid is a simple and effective concept to teach the public about Palliative Care and addresses the growing demand for end-of-life care training for carers of people who wish to die at home. 

Dates & Times: TBC

MAPA Training (Management of Actual & Potential Aggression)

With a focus on prevention, the MAPA programme teaches management and intervention techniques to help carers cope with escalating behaviour in a professional and safe manner. 

Registration: Closed

Working Care Out Skills and Development Programme

Attend our Working Care Out group based online support and skills development programme to meet other family carers who would like to re-enter work and education. The programme will run for 2 hours per week for four weeks. You will explore making career choices, planning further education pathways and look at strategies for effective job searching. Learn how to:

• Write up your CV, cover letter, fill out application forms and online applications.
• Use social media and LinkedIn.
• Learn about communication skills, interview skills and interview preparation.

The aim of this programme is to support family carers with the unique challenges and obstacles faced when re-entering work or returning to education.

Registration: Find more information here, email wco@familycarers.ie or phone 086 0788 2088.