Sean Coughlan, CEO, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, with finalist Rachel Cassen of LEAP. Photo: Shane O'Neill / Fennells.

Rachel Cassen from Fore is among the eight finalists in the 2012 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards who are competing for a prize fund of €775,000.

Each of the eight social entrepreneurs head young organisations with innovative ideas for major social change in Ireland in areas as diverse as employment, eating disorders, computer coding for children and supporting families of people with disabilities.

Rachel founded LEAP which provides leadership, mentoring and training to families who have a child with a disability and who wish to take control of their own support needs.

This helps families ensure children with disabilities maintain strong and diverse relationships with family members, friends and community.

LEAP works with families to develop a personalised support roadmap without imposing its own goals or solutions.

LEAP mentors families enabling them to self-direct and self-manage their own funding and support initiatives.

The finalists are George Boyle of Fumbally Exchange, Lucy Masterson of Hireland, James Whelton of Coder Dojo, Trevor White of City of a Thousand Welcomes, Aviva Cohen of Neuro Hero, Emma Murphy of The Turning Institute, Rachel Cassen of LEAP and Tony Griffin and Karl Swan of Soar Foundation.