• What Works aims to maximise the impact of prevention and early intervention to improve the lives of children and young people
• Action Learning is an approach to problem solving and learning in small groups (‘sets’) to bring about significant change in individuals, teams, organisations and systems

Friday 13 September 2019

As part of the ongoing programme of front-running innovations under the What Works Initiative, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD, today announced the launch of a national programme of Action Learning Sets. 

Action Learning is an approach to problem solving and learning in small groups (‘sets’) to bring about significant change in individuals, teams, organisations and systems.
 
This national programme of Action Learning Sets is aligned with the priority of the What Works Initiative, to deliver learning and development opportunities for professionals working with children and young people at a range of levels in policy, provision and practice.

The themes identified as the focus of these groups will cover the range of issues which front-line practitioners have identified as crucial to address, so that the best possible service can be delivered for children and young people.
 
What Works Action Learning Sets are being run in regions across Ireland and participation is open to all professionals working with children, young people and their families on a first come, first served basis. There is no cost to participation. 

Minister Zappone said: “I am delighted to launch this learning opportunity for those working with children, young people and their families. Action learning sets provide a vital forum for practitioners to share practice, wisdom and address common problems.”

“It is clear that providing abundant, relevant and robust learning opportunities for all those working in this sector is essential to addressing the disadvantage many children and young people face. In particular, What Works, which focuses on prevention and early intervention approaches, is capable of transforming the lives of children, young people and their families across Ireland.”

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Notes for Editors:

What Works

If you wish to attend an action learning set in Dublin, East, West, South or Midlands, submit your expressions of interest to whatworks@dcya.gov.ie. A table, indicating the first date of each set, has been included below. Please note each set will consist of five meetings at approximately four week intervals after the first meeting, and attendees will be expected to attend all set meetings.

What Works ensures that key groups working with children, young people and their families know what works, how it works, and that it will provide an evidence supported approach to apply to this work. 

What Works (formerly QCBI) has been developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to maximise the impact of prevention and early intervention for children and young people.
 
What Works focuses on enhancing key areas as they relate to children and young people’s services.

Four key areas have been identified to achieve this goal. What Works aims to enhance the use and availability of data and evidence; support capacity development; and ensure quality at the levels of policy, service and provision.

The initiative seeks to secure a return on the investment and impact in the area of prevention and early intervention in Ireland over the past decade. It will achieve this by resourcing the key areas so that those working with and for children, young people and their families are supported in doing the right things, in the right way and at the right time.

This national programme of Action Learning Sets follows a pilot set which began in 2019 under What Works. The programme meets the objective of the What Works Initiative, to deliver learning and development opportunities for professionals at a range of levels.