Whilst social pedagogy is less well-known in Ireland, some organisations have integrated it as an explicit practice framework. Below we outline some of their work:
Compass Child and Family Services
Based in the Mid-West, Compass Child and Family Services have been modelling their practice on social pedagogy since their foundation 10 years ago. Initial expertise was drafted from continental Europe where qualified social pedagogues moved to Ireland and took up roles as house parents. This would typically be two house parents sharing their living space with 2-3 children supported by a small number of social care workers. Over the past 10 years Compass CFS have implemented a social pedagogy training and development plan where the full team of social care workers and support workers continuously develop their understanding of social pedagogy. The charity’s CEO Derek Byrne says that social pedagogy has been a catalyst to developing a culture of love, learning and relationships and nurturing a shared value base. The centrality of relationships at every level of the organisation has fostered a sense of belonging in both the young people and adult carers, which also extends beyond the home and to the community, school and wider social context. In the team’s experience, a pedagogical relational approach reduces professional barriers and promotes trusting and caring relationships. This has led to increased placement stability, sustainable and holistic school placements, more positive family interactions and better integration into the local community.
[read more about social pedagogy at Compass]
Galtee Clinic
Located in South Tipperary, Galtee Clinic was set up in 2012 and has focused on providing residential services to children. Its service delivery model is very similar to Compass CFS with social pedagogues as house parents sharing the living space with the children. Dr Toby Haslam-Hopwood, Clinical Psychologist, has frequently commented on how the incorporation of social pedagogy, with the Diamond Model at the centre, has provided them with clarity and latitude to the development and implementation of the service that they provide. He states that they work, very hard, to provide a very flat structure across the community which, in turn, allows the children to feel a sense of ownership and, therefore, belonging. The Diamond Model has helped the evolution of an ethos where warm, genuine relationships are at the core of the work they do, as ‘without relationship we and the children have nothing’. In designing the service, the Diamond Model was important to understanding and appreciating the value of context. They have commented on their struggles with monitoring and inspection who want a standard response to be described and delivered to children. However, social pedagogy has given direction regarding the importance of exploration and discussion about both the distal approximal causes of behaviour. In practice, Dr Haslam-Hopwood says, they initially struggled having endless conversations with kids about why they did what they did. Over time though, they have learnt to appreciate that this is crucial to helping children find agency for themselves.
[read more about social pedagogy at Galtee Clinic]
Camphill Community Glencraig
In the North, on the shores of Belfast Loch, the Camphill Community Glencraig have connected their rich anthroposophical tradition to social pedagogy as a holistic framework for how they share the lives of the children and adults with disabilities who live in the Camphill community. Glencraig has been host to several events and conferences on social pedagogy. Following on from a pilot training programme in 2013, Glencraig facilitated 8 study sessions with its practitioners drawing on the
Massive Open Online Course in Social Pedagogy across Europe to explore how they could creatively apply its insights in everyday practice. Martin Schwarz, who led on much of this work, says that social pedagogical concepts are well embedded in their Discovering Camphill induction programme and that the principles of social pedagogy are integral to the Camphill approach. ‘Social pedagogy has further strengthened our mission to create meaningful and nurturing learning environments, help our practitioners develop healthy, creative and educational relationships with those that we support and recognise the potential in reflective practice. It has also benefited the group dynamics and given us an intentional approach to teamwork, communication and leadership.’
[read more about social pedagogy at Camphill Glencraig]
