Helplines, Parenting Courses and Advice

Parentline is a free confidential helpline that offers parents support, information and guidance on all aspects of being a parent. More information available at Parentline.ie.

The ISPCC Support Line provides a confidential email and phone listening service, offering information, advice and emotional support to individuals who have family relationship or parenting needs, as well as those who may have concerns in relation to children. The ISPCC’s Support Line service can be contacted by email to parentingsupport@ispcc.ieor between 9am – 1pm Monday – Friday by calling 01 522 4300. More information available at ISPCC.ie

The ISPCC Ask Robyn service is a service for adults, parents/carers where you can ask Robyn anything about parenting you want, there’s nothing too big or too small. More information is available here.

AskOneFamily is the helpline for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and for those separating. More information available at onefamily.ie.

The National Parents Council has a confidential helpline for any queries in relation to your child’s primary or early year’s education. More information available at NPC.ie

Children in Hospital Ireland offers a Guide to a child’s hospital admission. They also have a website that provides information on everything a family needs to know to prepare for going to hospital, what to expect and finding supports: Children in Hospital Information Hub Ireland

Parenting24seven from Tusla offers helpful resources on what works best for children and families at different ages and stages. Tusla have also developed a number of modules for strengthening your connection with your child entitled Relationships are Key. More information available at Relationships are Key.

You can access a range of online parenting courses through Libraries Ireland. More information available at Libraries Ireland.

Barnardos operate a national database of parenting courses for parents hoping to attend a parenting course in their own area. The database can be accessed by clicking here.

One Family offer a series of group based parenting courses via Zoom. Their courses are specially designed for people parenting alone, sharing parenting and separating. For details on courses and how to apply please click here.

The Limerick Child and Family Services Directory provides a comprehensive list of courses that are available across the Limerick area to support parents. Information on the full range of parenting courses can be accessed by clicking here.

ParentLine, in partnership with the Parents Plus charity operate online courses via Zoom that are practical, positive and evidence based with proven benefits for participants. View the full range of courses by clicking here.

Parents Plus is an Irish charity that develops evidence-based, practical, parenting courses and mental health programmes. There are eight different Parents Plus Programmes for parents and young people. Further information on each of these programmes is available by clicking here.

Jigsaw offer a number of online supports for parents including webinars on managing family conflict, supporting young people struggling with their mental health and parental self-care. Further information is available by clicking here.

Parenting courses provided by Navan Education Centre include, Study Skills Webinar Series for Post Primary Students and Parents, From Endings to Beginnings – Helping Your Child Transition from Primary to Secondary School and Toe by Toe Online Training for Teachers, SNAs and Parents. More information can be found by clicking here.

The Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) works to improve outcomes for children, families and communities in Tallaght and throughout Ireland. The range of CDI evidence-informed prevention and early intervention programmes can be viewed by clicking here.

The National Parents Council (NPC) provide a number of online programmes to help and support parents. The Internet Safety Programme provides parents with the strategies to help their children to be responsible, effective and safer internet users. This session also looks at cyber bullying and setting rules and boundaries around children’s internet usage. You can access this online session by clicking here.

The NPC have developed online resources for parents of pre-school/primary school aged children which support parents with their child’s learning within the home environment. The Early Years Learning at Home Programme can be accessed by clicking here.

The NPC Primary Learning at Home Programme can be accessed by clicking here.

There are 121 Family Resource Centres based in local communities around Ireland who provide a variety of parenting supports to support and empower parents and their children. Family Resource Centres provide ‘help for all, and more help for those who need it’. Parenting supports may include practical supports, parent & toddler groups, home visiting programmes, parenting programmes eg. Parents Plus, circle of security, infant massage and other evidence-based programmes and interventions. For more information and to find your local Family Resource Centre, visit www.familyresource.ie .

The National Family Resource Centre forum Facebook page can be found here.