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Parents Support Hub

DkIT’s aim is to create a holistic, flexible working environment that supports staff/students and their families, promotes wellbeing, maintains good working/learning practices and provides a productive balance between work/study and life outside work/study.

Parents Support Hub

DkIT’s aim is to create a holistic, flexible working environment that:

  • supports staff/students and their families
  • promotes wellbeing
  • maintains good working/learning practices
  • provides a productive balance between work/study and life outside work/study

View Current Staff Policies

Maternity Buddy

To become a maternity buddy, you can now express your interest.

A maternity buddy’s main role is to keep the expectant person in the loop and aware of changes in the Institute, as well as any developments that would affect their work. The expectant parent should choose a colleague – preferably in their department – whom they trust and with whom they have a good rapport.

It sounds simple, but the impact of staying in close contact with someone in the thick of things is substantial. It means feeling connected to the office and knowing what to expect when it’s time to return to the workplace, through things like knowing about new employees, updates on work with new clients. Buddies are also a great source of advice on how to adjust to managing both your commitments to your new baby and your work.

Download the Expression of Interest Form

Private Nursing Mother's Room

Private Nursing Rooms — now open on Campus

The Nursing Rooms are private (access by key only), equipped with comfortable chairs, access to a fridge which is used solely for the storage of expressed milk and an electrical socket for breast pump use. They are located close to kitchen and bathroom facilities. 

View Locations

Support Links for Staff & Students

Support for Unplanned Pregnancy

Support for Single Parents

  • This site provides information for unmarried parents: www.treoir.ie

Perinatal Mental Health Support

Mental Health supports for pregnant and new mothers:

Louth Parent Hub

Louth Parent Hub is an online and interactive information hub for families living in County Louth. It provides information on the services and programmes available in your local area.

Louth Parent Hub

Guidelines for Pregnant Students

DkIT will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the institute supports and accommodates any pregnant student to allow them complete their programme of study while maintaining academic standards.

Responsibility

Whilst the Institute respects the Student’s right to confidentiality, the Student is responsible for notifying the Course Leader or Head of Department of their pregnancy.
Once notified, it is the responsibility of each Department to ensure that no aspect of the course work, environment or activities affect the health and safety of the Student and/or Baby.

Risk Assessment

On receipt of the pregnancy notification, the Department will inform the Health & Safety Officer and the Institute Nurse. The Health and Safety Officer will complete a “Pregnancy Risk Assessment” with the Student and the relevant Department representative. This pregnancy risk assessment will address specific areas of concern pertaining to the Student’s course.

View Pregnancy Risk Assessment Form

Health Unit

The Institute Health unit will support and advise students during their pregnancy. However, pregnancy specific health issues or concerns should be discussed with your midwife or obstetrician. Appointments to see the Doctor or Nurse can be made by telephoning or emailing the Health Unit:
The Counselling service is also available to help the Pregnant Student cope with pregnancy related or other issues they may be facing.

Examinations

When organising alternative examination arrangements each case is considered on an individual basis and recommendations of the Student’s GP/Consultant are also taken into account.

If time of birth is close to the time of examinations the Student may sit the examinations having provided the college with a medical certificate stating that it is safe for the Student to do so.
Where the time of birth coincides with examinations the Student may apply in writing to defer the examination to a later sitting.