28th February 2012 Croke Park, Dublin. Presentation by Fergus Finlay, CEO

Our Children – Our Past

Where are the fault lines? What’s going well? 1,107,034 Our Children – Our Present

Protection from poverty Protection from the impact of poverty A pathway to independence Protection against child abuse and neglect Protection against crime Housing and shelter A stable living environment Able to manage/ respond to bullying, discrimination and antisocial behaviour Ready for school Good school attendance and participation Literate and numerate Good school results High school standards Good physical health Good mental health Good lifestyles (diet, exercise, substance abuse, etc.) Play and leisure opportunities Personal development opportunities Emotional resilience and empathy Good sexual health Encouragement to grow and achieve A caring home environment Influence and voice in our society Rights enshrined in the Constitution An informed and fair justice and courts system National Children’s Strategy Children will have a voice Children will be understood Children will be supported National Outcomes for Children in Ireland Healthy, both physically and mentally Supported in active learning Economically Secure Safe from accidental and intentional harm/Secure in the immediate and wider physical environment Part of positive networks of family, friends, neighbours and the community /Included and participating in society GOALS That means they are / have...

But there are problems … State Policy Towards Children: “ Seen and not heard “ Until the 70’s Economic Policy: Role of the state vs Personal Consumption & the Markets Irish spending on Social Protection the lowest in Western Europe Economic Contraction Growth Down 15% Reduced Government Social Spending Child Benefit Social Welfare Payments HSE Budget Education Budget Closure of State Agencies 8.7% of children living in consistent poverty No reference model for developing children’s services Weak information base, with no common system for assessing needs of children or outcomes No resource allocation model for children’s services Structural problems – huge variation in services and standards delivered in different regions Historically, a closed and centralised political culture was no prepared to allow external participation in developing/implementing policy Child abuse and neglect Housing/Homelessness Children unable to thrive in education Poor literacy/numeracy Mental health and well being problems Physical health problems Early school leaving Substance abuse Peer violence/bullying Inability to break out of cycles of disadvantage Historically poor child protection and welfare services Limited implementation of the first National Children’s Strategy Services for children and their families focus on ‘picking up pieces’ Unemployment up, now over 15% Wage cuts in public and private sectors Increased budgetary pressures on existing systems and services Reduction in funding for NGOs Increased pressure on services for children and families Systemic Problems Underlying Causes Problems Experienced by Children

Minister for Children Child & Family Welfare focused Agency Constitutional Change Director of Children & Family Services National Children’s Strategy New Legislation Opportunity to deliver world class services for children & families Program for Government

Barnardos’ Vision National Framework/ Local Architecture delivering continuum of care through interagency working

Required Throughout the Continuum (e.g. GPs, etc.) Primary Care Services 0 years 2 years 5 years11 years 18 years -9 months Antenatal Care Primary School Public Health Nurse Visits Pre-school/ Community Crèche/ Playgroup Secondary school Youth Clubs Sports/ Entertainment Clubs/ Scouts/ Girl Guides Afterschool Activities Prenatal Care 9 years 15 years What All Children Need Family Planning

Required Throughout the Continuum: Parent Support(1:1) – Home Visits and Centre Based, Parenting Group- Work Programme Mental Health and Wellbeing Support (Children & Parents), Community Development Support, Attachment and Relationship Support Social/ Emotional Support 0 years 2 years 5 years11 years 18 years -9 months Targeted Pre-School HSE Early Intervention Team Mentoring Programme Ready for Secondary School (Children & Parents) Support to Access out of School Activities Support Service for Parents Education Welfare Officer/Home School Liaison Officer 9 years 15 years Ready for School Service (Children & Parents) Literacy & Numeracy Support Service Practical Support Services Life Skills/Lifestyle Choices/Peer & Family Relationship Support When Early Intervention is Needed

Required Throughout the Continuum: Domestic Violence Services, Child Residential Services (In- Care), Fostering Service, Respite Care, Community Welfare Service, Specialist Therapeutic Services (eg, Bereavement, Sexual Abuse), Family Law Centres, Gardai, Child Protection & Welfare, Homeless Services, Family Support Voluntary Agencies Care/ Fostering 0 years 2 years 5 years11 years 18 years -9 months Targeted Pre-School Wraparound Services Diversion Programme (Gardai) National Education Welfare Service Drug & Alcohol Addiction Service 9 years 15 years Family Welfare Conference Some Children Need a Crisis Service

Local Accountability 0 years 2 years 5 years11 years 18 years -9 months Common Assessment Framework Inter- Agency Cooperation - Protocols National Policy, Local Delivery Some Services likely to be Regional/National Local Management 9 years 15 years Assessing & Responding to Community Need The Community Hub: A Better Way of Meeting Need

Once in a Generation Opportunity

28th February 2012 Croke Park, Dublin. Presentation by Fergus Finlay, CEO