The Family Resource Centre National Forum is Ireland's National Representative Body of 121 Family Resource Centres.
Established in 1998, the Family Resource Centre National Forum (FRCNF) is the national representative and peer support body for 121 Family Resource Centres (FRCs) across Ireland. Known officially as the National Forum of Family Resource Centre CLG, the FRCNF is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.
This national network was set up to enable the overall operation of the FRC programme, be a representative voice at the national level, and create coherence within the Programme through collective action. The FRC National Forum was incorporated into a company limited by guarantee in 2004 to allow it to undertake activities on behalf of FRCs and to enable the drawdown of funding for such activities. It is a registered charity. Since its establishment in 1998, the FRC National Forum has undergone considerable changes. It has become a dynamic and evolving national organisation as the national representative and peer support body of 121 Family Resource Centres, core funded through the National FRC Programme. Tusla manages this funding on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), providing policy direction and oversight of the ringfenced national programme funding. We seek to ensure the effective representation of FRCs and the communities in which they work and to promote the National Family Resource Centre Programme. The FRC National Forum provides representation at the national level, including representing the perspectives of Family Resource Centres (FRCs) at a variety of national fora and collaborative groups in the areas of research, advocacy, and policy development as relevant to FRCs and the communities they empower. The National FRC Programme is Ireland's largest human rights-based, community development and family support programme that operates across the life course. The FRC National Forum works on a model akin to the FRCs with core funding enabling additional funding to be leveraged, which has led to collaborations, new opportunities and, crucially, additional funding for our FRC members. The FRC National Forum works across various areas of work, such as external engagement and representation, member support and engagement, mental health promotion, counselling and therapeutic supports, and social prescribing, all of which are geared to support the work of FRCs. We provide opportunities for models of good practice to be exchanged and bespoke training and initiatives at a local, regional, and national level that support the work of FRCs. In recent times, the FRC National Forum has also been involved in providing additional implementation supports.
Our Vision is that all children, families, individuals, and communities will actively participate in and be included in a society that is equal, equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory, enabling their optimal well-being.
The Mission of the FRC National Forum is to support, empower and represent Family Resource Centres so that collectively, we can deliver a National FRC Programme that creates and influences positive change in our
communities.
- Equality and Human Rights: The work of the FRC National Forum is underpinned by a commitment to equality, human rights, and the prevention of discrimination
- Social Inclusion: The work of the FRC National Forum is underpinned by a commitment to realising the rights of all to be included and to participate fully.
- Collective Action: The work of the FRC National Forum is underpinned by a commitment to collective action for positive social change.
- Participation: The work of the FRC National Forum is underpinned by a commitment to equal participation.
- Climate Change and Climate Justice: The work of the FRC National Forum is informed by the challenges posed by climate change and climate justice and a commitment to explore the Sustainable Development Goals for application as appropriate
Our Principles are the foundational guidelines and standards governing our conduct, decision-making, and strategy. We are committed to transparency, accountability, collaboration, and autonomy.
- Transparency & Accountability: We are committed to being transparent and fully accountable to our members, funders, and partners in accordance with good practice.
- Collaboration: We prioritise working in collaboration and partnership with our members and other stakeholders.
- Autonomy: We act autonomously in the best interest of our members while upholding their individual autonomy.
FRC Programme Overview
As Ireland's largest national family and community support program, each FRC operates as an independent not-for-profit entity with its own Voluntary Board of Directors. Guide by their Voluntary Board of Directors, FRCs work from community development principles. They are committed to ensuring that all children and families have equal rights and opportunities to participate in society. With a focus on identifying and addressing specific needs within their local areas, FRCs actively engage with local communities and help create meaningful, impactful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies to drive meaningful social change. Supports offered through the FRC program emphasise prevention and early intervention across the whole life course, which evidence demonstrates is the best way to create and sustain resilient children, families, and communities.
Family Resource Centres (FRCs)
The centrality of community development informs "The FRC National Forum works on a model akin to the FRCs with core funding enabling additional funding to be leveraged, which has led to collaborations, new opportunities and, crucially, additional funding for our FRC members. 10 | Family Resource Centre National Forum the approaches, values, and methods, which include collective action, community empowerment, social justice, sustainable development, human rights, and participation, all of which underpin the work of FRCs. A defining characteristic of FRCs is that they are managed by local Voluntary Boards of Management, which are critical in facilitating meaningful community participation and ensuring local knowledge and accountability. The governance of FRCs by local Voluntary Management Boards is not incidental but reflects our values and their community development approach. FRCs operate an open-door and inclusive approach within communities. FRCs provide a range of universal and targeted developmental, recreational, educational, and therapeutic supports across the life course, both in the form of group and 1-to-1 work that addresses the needs and promotes the strengths of children, families, individuals, and communities.Significant Challenge
Research shows that FRCs provide excellent value for money. Core funding provided by Tusla covers some of the operational costs. Additional operational and all programme costs are sourced by FRC projects elsewhere. This is currently the most significant challenge for FRCs in fulfilling government expectations.Our vision is that all children, families, individuals, and communities will actively participate and be included in an equal, equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory society that will enable their optimal well-being.
