Institute of Technology Carlow: Meitheal Form Analysis in Social Care

This assignment presents an analysis of a Meitheal Closure and Feedback Form, a tool used in Ireland to coordinate services for children and families. The form captures information about the child or young person, including their Meitheal ID, date of birth, and feedback on the process. The analysis focuses on the reasons for Meitheal closure, the extent to which needs were met, and any outstanding unmet needs. The assignment examines the child's and parent's feedback, including their perceptions of the process, what could be improved, and the services required. Furthermore, it includes practitioner feedback, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the Meitheal process and suggestions for service planning. The case study provides insights into the effectiveness of the Meitheal process in addressing the needs of children and families, identifying areas for improvement and service gaps, and informing future service planning.

Form 4: Meitheal Closure and Feedback Form
Confidential
1. Child or young person
Meitheal ID
number:
First name: Surname: Date of birth: (DD/MM/YY)
2. Meitheal closure record
Date of completion of Meitheal Request Form: (DD/MM/YY)
Date of completion of Closure and Feedback Form:
(DD/MM/YY)
At what stage is the Meitheal process being closed? (Please tick the relevant box)
Following submission of Meitheal
Request Form
(complete reason below and return to
coordinator)
Following the commencement
of Meitheal support meetings
Following completion of Meitheal
Strengths and Needs Record Form
Post delivery
How many Meitheal support meetings were held during the process?
How many services and agencies were involved in the Meitheal process?
Reasons for closure (Please tick the relevant box and please choose one category only)
Needs and outcomes fully met Parents or guardians did not engage
with the process
Needs and outcomes somewhat met* Child or young person did not engage
with the process
Needs and outcomes not met* Referred to Tusla Child and Family
Agency Social Work Department
Family moved from area Other (please
specify)
*Please give details as to why needs were not met or only somewhat met:
3. Summary of progress and any outstanding unmet needs
Please list the needs of the child or young person you identified on the Meitheal Request
Form and rate on a scale of 1-10 to what extent these needs have been met. (10 means ‘fully’
and 1 means ‘not at all’)
Need Rating
Safety 6
security 7
Trauma care 6
Belonging 3
Academic 5
1

Outstanding unmet needs to be completed with parent or guardian and child or
Outstanding unmet
needs
Reasons for outstanding
unmet needs (Parent or
Reasons for outstanding
unmet needs (Child or
Socioeconomic care Negative coping Lack of father’s support
Reconciliation with father Negative coping with parent’s
death
Lack of emotional support
from father
Child or young person
signature:
Date
:
Parent or guardian
signature:
Date
:
Parent or guardian
signature:
Date
:
Lead practitioner
signature:
Date
:
4. Child or young person feedback
Do you think that things have got better for
you because of the Meitheal process?
Comments
Meitheal process helped me a lot to develop right strategies to protect the interests and
condition of the children.
What could have improved this Meitheal process for you?
More workers looking after the psychology of the traumatized children would have been better.
Please tell us what this Meitheal process including the meetings was like for you.
(Please tick the relevant boxes)
Yes No Unsure
I knew what was going on
I was aware I could give my views on the decisions being
made
It was easy to give my views if I wanted to
My views were listened to
My views were taken seriously
I was told how the decisions were made
I felt safe
I felt my confidentiality was respected
I felt that people there wanted what was best for me
I got the support I needed to take part
Other
comment
s:
The children felt more safe and more confident with themselves
Linked to your needs, please tell us about any services or groups which should be
developed in your area.
2
Yes No Unsure

Description of type of service required:
5. Parent or guardian feedback
Do you think things have got better for
your family because of the Meitheal
process?
Comments:
The children felt safer and more confident with themselves and hence, they feel more secure
about their future.
What could have improved this Meitheal process for you?
More workers looking after the psychology of the traumatized child would have been better.
Please indicate which of the following statements reflect your experience of this
Meitheal Process.
(Please tick the relevant boxes) Yes No Unsure
I was happy with decisions made
I did not have to repeat my child’s story to all agencies or
services
My child got access to the services s/he needed
I became more aware of services available to my child
and family
I was asked for my opinion throughout
I felt listened to
I felt like an equal around the table
I felt my child or young person’s situation was taken
seriously
I felt I got the support I needed
I felt my family’s confidentiality was respected
I got the support I needed to take part
I would recommend Meitheal to a family member or friend
Other
comment
s:
Where did you
hear
about Meitheal?
Internet
Based on the needs of your child as presented within this Meitheal process, please
identify any services or groups that would have been helpful.
Description of type of service required:
3
Yes No Unsure

Counselling, trauma care and child protection services.
4

6. Practitioner feedback
(Please copy this section and complete for each practitioner involved in this Meitheal)
Name: Agency or
service:
How many inter-agency meetings did you attend as part of this Meitheal
process?
Please indicate which of the following statements reflect your experience of this
Meitheal process.
(Please tick the relevant boxes) Yes No Unsure
Strengths and needs of the child or young person were
more clearly identified
It enabled a more coordinated response to meeting the
needs of the child or young person and their family
It improved my relationship with the child or young person
and their family
My service’s response was more informed and targeted
It reduced duplication of service
My relationship and knowledge of other services improved
I had not attended training and was unfamiliar with the
process
It saved my service time in the long run
I felt the child or young person’s views were listened to
I felt the child or young person’s views were taken seriously
I felt the parent or guardian’s views were listened to
I felt the parent or guardian’s views were taken seriously
I got the support I needed to take part
Other
Comments:
The support of the parents are very critical to the development of the children
and when by any reason – the same is disrupted, the reconciliation process must
be made stronger. The organisation could have helped in the process.
In what ways could the Meitheal process for this child or young person have been improved or
enhanced?
By more social interventions.
Please use the headings below to document any service gaps highlighted by this
Meitheal that could inform service planning in your area.
Description of
type
of service
required:
Child care and child protection
Target group (if child, give age
range; if population grouping,
specify):
Children 10 - 18
Geographical
area:
Ireland
Practition Date:
5

er
Signature
:
Please return this form to the Child and Family Support Network Coordinator.
6