At Camphill Clinical Services, support is delivered through two key areas: Clinical Supports and Behavioural Supports. Together, these services work to promote the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of the people we support across our communities.
Each plays an important role in promoting safe, person-centred care and enhancing the wellbeing of those we support.
The CCOI Clinical Support Services team provide person-centred, multidisciplinary clinical support to promote the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. Their approach is holistic and preventative, focusing on enabling individuals to live healthy, meaningful lives with dignity, choice, and appropriate clinical support, rather than on illness alone.
The CCOI Clinical Support Services team provide specialist support to communities through multidisciplinary clinical input, including nursing support, GP liaison, psychiatry, psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and dietetics. The team supports person-centred medical care planning, tailored to individual needs, abilities, and goals.
Medication management and governance is provided, including audits, risk monitoring, and compliance with legislation and HIQA standards. A strong focus is placed on health promotion and preventative care, supporting screening, early intervention, and long-term wellbeing. Clinical guidance and education for staff teams is delivered, including training and ongoing support.
Through incident review and quality improvement, learning is used to reduce risk and improve practice. Clinical governance and oversight is maintained, including participation in Medication Management and Restrictive Practice Committees.
The CCOI Clinical Support Services team primarily support residents across all Camphill communities, including individuals with complex healthcare, mental health, mobility, communication, or ageing-related needs. The team also supports staff teams through clinical advice, training, and risk management. Support is provided to families and representatives through consultation and shared care planning.
The team works closely with external healthcare providers, including GPs, HSE services, therapists, hospitals, and pharmacies. All communities are supported on a needs-led basis, with enhanced clinical input provided where required. National coverage is coordinated through Medical Clinical Support Officers, each responsible for a designated geographic area.
The CCOI Clinical Support Services team operate through a blended model of on-site support, including community visits, audits, care plan reviews, and training. Remote support is provided via phone, email, or video consultation. External collaboration is maintained to ensure continuity of care with health services. Clinical staff work closely with social care teams and other departments to ensure coordinated, holistic, and person-centred support.
CCOI Clinical Support Services play a central role in maintaining quality, safety, and regulatory compliance, including HIQA standards and inspection readiness. They support compliance with medication and medicines legislation.
Safeguarding of vulnerable adults is a key priority. Data protection and confidentiality (GDPR) is upheld across all practices. Health and safety requirements are maintained. Professional standards of clinical practice are supported and monitored. Mandatory training and competency assurance are ensured.
Clinical Support Services are essential to Camphill Communities of Ireland because they protect and promote resident health and safety. These services enhance quality of life and independence, and the team builds staff confidence and competence.
This work strengthens clinical governance and risk management, and this approach ensures integrated care between social care and healthcare services. These supports enable long-term wellbeing through preventative and proactive care. Through clinical expertise, education, governance, and collaboration, Clinical Support Services help create safe, supportive communities where people can thrive.
The CCOI Clinical Support Officer – Behaviour Support team plays a key role in promoting safe, respectful and person-centred support for residents within our service. This role focuses on enhancing quality of life for Community Members by supporting staff to respond effectively and compassionately to behaviours of concern.
Clinical Support Officers hold specialist qualifications in Applied Behaviour Analysis, which underpin the assessment, planning and review of behaviour support interventions within the service. This evidence-based expertise supports a structured, analytical approach to understanding behaviour and developing proactive strategies that improve outcomes for residents.
Working in line with standards set by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Clinical Support Officer ensures that behaviour support practices are ethical, evidence-based and centred on the rights and wellbeing of each resident.
Behaviour support within our service is guided by several key frameworks. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) focuses on understanding the reasons behind behaviour and supporting meaningful alternatives that improve quality of life. Trauma-Informed Care recognises the impact of past experiences and ensures supports are delivered in a safe, respectful and empowering way.
CPI Strategies involve using de-escalation and safe crisis management techniques to maintain safety and dignity. A Least Restrictive Practice approach ensures any restrictions are only used when necessary, are proportionate, and are regularly reviewed.
These approaches are supported by the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis, ensuring that behaviour support strategies are data-informed, function-based and focused on skill development and improved quality of life.
Behaviour support planning includes developing and reviewing Positive Behaviour Support Plans for residents who require additional support. This involves conducting behaviour assessments and analysing behavioural data to identify patterns, triggers and functions of behaviour.
Behaviour support plans are individualised, evidence-based and informed by principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Staff teams are supported to implement plans consistently and effectively.
Restrictive Practice Oversight includes monitoring and reviewing all restrictive practices within the service. This involves participating in and contributing to the Restrictive Practice Panel to ensure appropriate oversight and governance.
All restrictive interventions are ensured to comply with regulatory requirements and follow the principle of least restrictive practice. A strong focus is placed on supporting the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices wherever possible.
Incident review and behaviour monitoring includes reviewing behaviour of concern incident reports to identify patterns, triggers and opportunities for proactive intervention. Recommendations and guidance are provided to staff teams based on incident analysis.
Services are supported to implement preventative strategies and improve outcomes for residents.
Crisis prevention and management includes supporting teams in prevention and de-escalation strategies. Guidance is provided in managing behavioural crises safely and effectively. Crisis responses prioritise dignity, safety and learning.
Training and staff development includes delivering and maintaining training as qualified Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) trainers. Specialist training is provided to staff teams in behaviour support approaches as required. Staff are supported to build confidence, competence and reflective practice when supporting behaviours of concern.
CCOI’s Clinical Support Officers – Behaviour Support Team contribute to the governance and quality assurance structures within residential services. Participation in Leadership Teams within residential communities provides professional guidance, oversight and support to local management and staff teams. The role also includes contributing to internal governance and oversight panels that review practices, provide consultation on complex cases and support consistent service delivery.
As a member of the Restrictive Practice Panel, all restrictive interventions are ensured to be appropriately reviewed, ethically justified and in line with regulatory and organisational requirements. Services are supported to review behavioural trends, risk management strategies and quality improvement initiatives.
Consistent implementation of behaviour support practices across residential communities is promoted in line with standards set by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
Through participation in leadership teams and governance forums, the Clinical Support Officer helps ensure that behaviour support practices are transparent, accountable and continuously improving.
CCOI’s Clinical Support Officers – Behaviour Support Team contribute to the governance and quality assurance structures within residential services. Participation in Leadership Teams within residential communities provides professional guidance, oversight and support to local management and staff teams. The role also includes contributing to internal governance and oversight panels that review practices, provide consultation on complex cases and support consistent service delivery.
As a member of the Restrictive Practice Panel, all restrictive interventions are ensured to be appropriately reviewed, ethically justified and in line with regulatory and organisational requirements. Services are supported to review behavioural trends, risk management strategies and quality improvement initiatives.
Consistent implementation of behaviour support practices across residential communities is promoted in line with standards set by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
Through participation in leadership teams and governance forums, the Clinical Support Officer helps ensure that behaviour support practices are transparent, accountable and continuously improving.
CCOI’s Clinical Support Officers – Behaviour Supports work collaboratively with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), including psychology, psychiatry and allied health professionals. They also work closely with residential staff teams.
Residents and their families are actively involved in this collaborative approach. Engagement extends to community partners and external professionals. This collaborative approach ensures that behaviour support strategies are holistic, consistent and aligned with each person’s needs, goals and rights.
Volunteering with Camphill Communities of Ireland offers the opportunity to build meaningful connections, develop new skills, and contribute to communities where everyone belongs.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, we would love to hear from you.
