Clann Eireann youth centre praised in report

The inspection was carried out last month and the report, which was published this week, focused on four different areas and concluded the centre is ‘good’ in all areas.

The inspection focused on young people’s achievements and standards; the quality of the provision; and the quality of the leadership and management, including the processes for self-evaluation leading to improvement.

The report said: “In the areas inspected, the quality of provision in Clann Eireann youth centre is good. The centre has important strengths in most of its youth work provision.

“The young people are well motivated and enjoy participating in programmes which are well matched to their needs and reflect issues which are relevant to their everyday lives.

“They acquire new skills; develop their talents and interests across a range of contemporary programmes including, community relations and specialist programmes.”

The report highlighted that in the last two years, 10 young people have achieved relevant accredited training in mentoring and understanding, while 40 young people have completed single identity and cross community programmes and nine others have completed an accredited course in shared history.

The centre was also praised for delivering school-based programmes.

The centre currently stands at 640 members, including young people who also participate in the Clann Eireann GAC.

The report continued: “The older members of the centre accept responsibility readily and make a valuable contribution to aspects of the programme and, in particular, to the summer scheme. They act as important role models for the younger members and volunteer enthusiastically in supervising activities alongside the staff.

“Across the provision the young people are respectful of, and sensitive to, the rights and feelings of others. The centre’s ethos of promoting mutual understanding and good community relationships is reflected in the views and opinions of most of the young people engaged in group work.

“During the inspection the members of the recently established youth forum indicated in discussions that their opinions are valued and that they are supported well by the staff. It is appropriate that the full-time youth worker has identified, as a priority, the need to develop further the role of the youth forum and to enhance the member’s responsibility in the organisation and management of the centre.”

The reported concluded: “In the areas inspected, the quality of provision in Clann Eireann youth centre is good. The centre has important strenths in most of its youth work provision.”

Dee McKerr, chairperson of the youth club sub- committee, said that he wished to thank, on behalf of the club management, staff and volunteers “for all of their hard work and dedication in obtaining such a valued and praiseworthy report”.

He added that the report was “testament once again to the commitment the club, its staff and volunteers have to the young people of the area and the wider community.”

He continued: “Stephen Mc Nally, leader in charge and all of his staff are to be congratulated for the delivery of service at such a high standard.”

The club would also like to thank the Inspection Team DENI for their “honest and open engagement as part of the inspection process and The Divisional Youth Officer and Divisional Team, SELB for their ongoing support”.