Informing Families - FEDVOL

The National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Providing Services to People with Intellectual Disability is the national umbrella organisation for voluntary/non-statutory agencies in Ireland which provide services to people with intellectual disabilities.

They had developed best practice guidelines for professionals who inform families that their child has a disability and asked us to transform these guidelines into an engaging e-learning programme.

For the family, this is often the start of a long-term relationship with professionals who provide support. It is therefore very important to get the communication right from the start to encourage trust and foster good parent-professional relationships. Our challenge was to inform professionals about the national guidelines, in a clear and concise manner, and include lots of practical support and advice.

Informing Families includes several audio visual clips in which parents and professionals share their real-life experiences. It really allows learners to get a real insight and empathise with families. It also includes interactive content such as practical, real-life exercises, question and answer sessions (with feedback), and self-assessment and reflection exercises. Additional features include best practice guidelines and a glossary of terms.