Our Background
Aurora Campus is located on the Kells Road, Kilkenny and is situated in a 19.9 acre site. It was opened in 1966 by the Sisters of Charity to provide residential services initially for 25 children with intellectual disabilities within a regional catchment.
The Early Years
The service was initially delivered from a large imposing main building (previously an Orphanage) in dormitory style accommodation; however as the service grew and the needs of the children changed it necessitated the development of ground floor accommodation. In time, Aurora provided residential services for 95 Adults and Children with significant disabilities. The governance and running of the service was transferred to Aurora in 2001.
The company is funded entirely by the Department of Health & Children, through the Health Service Executive (HSE) under s.38 of the Health Act, and consequently is described as a Section 38 company. It has a total annual budget of approximately Seventeen million (c17m) euros and employs approximately three hundred and ten (310) whole time equivalent (WTE) employees.
From 2016 onwards Aurora has experienced great changes; in line with the National Policy ‘Time to Move on from Congregated Settings’, Aurora have been supporting people to move into homes of their own within the local Kilkenny/Carlow community. Full de-congregation of the campus setting will conclude in 2020 with a swap out of private rental accommodation over the coming 5 years.
Community Residential Services
Aurora provides community residential supports in 26 community houses, each house has a differing tenancies ranging from a single person tenancy up to four people sharing. All Aurora residential services are registered centres and inspected by HIQA on an ongoing basis.
Community Support Services
Aurora provides community supports (former day service model) to 5 people who do not reside with Aurora. Aurora are currently reconfiguring the service and the Deansgate building in line with national policy New Directions. A working group is in place to oversee this transformation.
Central Functions
Central Functions are delivered from the central function office in Danville Business Park, Kilkenny. This incorporates the various departments including Senior Management, Operations, Clinical and Therapeutic, Human Resources, Practice Development, Finance, IT, Housing & Facilities, Health & Safety, Training, Quality and Risk Co-ordination. The CEO manages and co-ordinates the overall administration to ensure the effective direction, management and operation of the Service.
