# Cooperative Learning Institute — Helping Hands > Helping Hands is an Irish anti-bullying sociogram programme for primary and post-primary schools. It combines diagnostic software that surfaces hidden peer-group relationship dynamics with a professional learning programme for teachers. Schools use it to identify vulnerable, isolated, or at-risk students early and to build a cooperative classroom culture. The programme is GDPR-compliant, based in Dublin, Ireland, and aligned with the Irish Government's Bí Cineálta (2024) anti-bullying framework. ## What is Helping Hands? Helping Hands is a high-quality programme for teachers and school support teams. It includes an easy-to-use diagnostic tool (sociogram) that accesses student peer-group relationship dynamics normally hidden from teachers, parents, and school management. The software generates a heat map indicating the potential for bullying to occur or escalate, provides SMART data on class dynamics for School Self-Evaluation (SSE), and generates inclusive teams for cooperative learning. The programme is supported by the Local Enterprise Office, the European Union, and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. It won the 2019 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Award. ## The Problem of Hidden Bullying Research shows that only 23% of 9-year-olds who were bullied told their parents (Growing Up in Ireland, 2009), and the reporting rate falls to 15% for older students (Card & Hodges, 2008). This means 85% of bullying goes unreported and unnoticed. Helping Hands is specifically designed to surface this hidden 85%. Teachers using Helping Hands can: - Prevent bullying before it starts - Intervene early before problems escalate - Create inclusive, psychologically safe classrooms - Develop welcoming teams that ensure belonging - Build support networks around vulnerable students - Create conditions for students to report safely - Empower victimised students - Address inappropriate power dynamics among those engaging in bullying ## Programme Features The programme combines: - Sociometric diagnostic software: generates peer-relationship heat maps and team placement recommendations - 5 modules of online professional learning for teachers - Expert analysis of 2 sociometric reports with recommendations - Ongoing collegial support via evening Zoom sessions - Introductory manual for school leaders and core teams - Support documents, resources, and video for parents and staff - Continuing email and phone support The diagnostic tool is fully GDPR-compliant. Schools use it on a termly basis to monitor class dynamics over time. ## gov.ie Partnership — Bí Cineálta Alignment Helping Hands is grounded in research and aligned with the Irish Government's Bí Cineálta (2024) anti-bullying framework. The whole-school approach goes beyond awareness and reaction — it identifies, prevents, and resolves bullying before it causes harm. The programme addresses the four pillars required under Bí Cineálta: Prevention: The sociometric tool identifies vulnerable, isolated, and rejected students as well as peer leaders. Psychologically safe team placement ensures inclusion. Whole-school ethos activities linked to SPHE promote respect, kindness, and cooperation. Intervention: Trained core teams conduct empathic welfare interviews. Targeted and universal supports address specific behaviours and classroom-wide strategies. A Kindness Report reflects on and addresses unkind behaviours. Oversight: A trained anti-bullying core team implements and reviews strategies termly. Data-driven monitoring via the sociogram tracks class dynamics over time. Community Engagement: Parents are partnered proactively. The school culture celebrates diversity and ensures equitable treatment for all students. ## Pricing ### Helping Hands Programme Package - Whole-school licence: €5 per student - Partial-school licence: €7 per student (minimum charge €500) Both licences include: annual software access, 5 online learning modules, expert analysis of 2 sociometric reports, ongoing Zoom support, introductory manual, support documents, parent video, and continuing email/phone support. ### Additional Resources - Class pack for 30 students (10 workbooks + 1 teacher manual): €100 - Class pack for 24 students (8 workbooks only): €80 - Teacher Manual: €7 - All resource packs include complimentary 1-hour online professional learning ### Further Services - Expert analysis report: €55 - Private one-to-one consultation: €150 - In-school consultation (half-day): €500 + expenses - In-school consultation (full-day): €750 + expenses ## Team - Maria Garvey (CEO) — 2019 Social Entrepreneur Ireland Awardee - Clodagh Brady (Head of Professional Services) — 20+ years in education as a teacher and Assistant Principal; Wellbeing and Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Year Head, and Team Leader for Helping Hands within her school - Marius Curtin (COO) — 20+ years IT professional - Emer Byrne (Support & Development Officer) — Former DEIS school teacher, pursuing PhD in adolescent wellbeing - Remco de Wit-Peijs (CTO) — 15+ years IT professional - Mary Cody (Administration & Finance Officer) — 20 years as school secretary - Caolán Ward (Marketing) — Graphic designer, digital agency, content creator ## Testimonials - "Helping Hands is an evidence-based programme that tackles the issue of hidden bullying." — Paul Crone, Director, NAPD (National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals) - "It immediately tells you what's at play in the classroom." — Katherina Broderick, Principal, Presentation Secondary School - "Groundbreaking interventions that protect students most at risk." — Jacinta Kitt, Author and Workplace Bullying Expert - "Like she was sitting in the back of the room." — Donal Madden, Principal, Newport College - "Gives families, educators and victims a way forward." — Anita O'Hara, Parent ## Contact - Website: https://www.cooperation.ie - Contact form: https://www.cooperation.ie/contact - Email: info@cooperation.ie - Phone: +353 86 358 5175 - Address: 41 Marley Court North, Rathfarnham, Dublin D16, Ireland ## Legal - Privacy Policy (https://www.cooperation.ie/privacy-policy): GDPR-compliant data protection policy. Data is held for 30 days after contract expiry. Contact the Data Controller at info@cooperation.ie. - Terms and Conditions (https://www.cooperation.ie/terms-and-conditions): Terms governing supply of the Helping Hands programme. Payment is by credit or debit card in advance. The programme is delivered across four components: onsite seminar, physical materials, online course access, and software licence.