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.
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
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.
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.
Support Links for Staff & Students
Support for Unplanned Pregnancy
- https://www2.hse.ie/services/unplanned-pregnancy/
- Freephone 1800 828 010 to call the confidential HSE My Options helpline for information, advice and support.
- Citizens Information: Unplanned pregnancy
- SpunOut.ie: What to do if you have an 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:
Breast/Chest-feeding Support
Pregnancy Loss / Bereavement Support
List of local childcare providers
- Information on childcare provision(Louth County Childcare Committee)
- List of registered providers in Louth (Jan 2022)
- Registered childcare providers in Co. Monaghan
- Childcare directory in Co. Cavan
- Meath County Childcare committee
- Fingal County Childcare committee
- Family support and childcare Northern Ireland
Pregnancy Supports
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.
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.
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:- Tel: 042 9370245
- Email: [email protected]
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.
