1. A Strategy for Children and Young People : The Poverty Dimension Heather Stevens Children and Young People’s Unit Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister 26 April 2004

2. Introduction…. The Children and Young People’s Unit, OFMDFM The Strategy for Children and Young People – What is it? – When? – Poverty – a key priority Taking the work forward

3. Children & Young People’s Unit Established formally on 1 January 2002 Located within the Equality Directorate, OFMDFM Areas of responsibility – Commissioner for Children and Young People – Strategy for Children and Young People – Co-ordinate NI input to UK reports on international human rights instruments relating to children, primarily UNCRC

4. The Strategy for Children and Young People What is it? - a vision and a 10 year plan Timetable – Informal consultation (April 2002 – Summer 2003) – Publication of working paper (October 2003) – Draft strategy published (by late Spring 2004)

5. Some fundamentals……. Rights-based Focus on all children and young people Responsibility for delivery Whole child perspective Role of the family Long-term Cross-cutting issues, eg participation, Emergence from conflict

6. Developing the Strategy Informal consultation to identify the issues for children and young people which need to be addressed : poverty 10 Task Groups – 3 ‘p’s - Participation - Protection - Provision -Achievement, learning and enjoyment -Physical, mental and emotional well-being -Built and natural environment -Child and family poverty -Family and community support -Rights and equality -Research and information -Implementation and Monitoring

7. Poverty – a key issue Raised in a significant number of responses to our informal consultations Recent research : ‘Bare Necessities’, ‘Low Income Households in NI’ UK Government commitment to end child poverty by 2020 EU/UKNational Action Plan UN Committee on Human Rights : Concluding Observations urged UK to “undertake all necessary measures…. to accelerate the elimination of child poverty”

8. Task Group Recommendations – Child and Family Poverty Strategic Outcome : that child poverty in Northern Ireland is eradicated by 2020 Strategic Objective : that the multi-dimensional and trans-generational aspects of child and family poverty will be defined, measured (qualitatively and quantitatively) and addressed strategically across Government in a way which reflects the experiences of those affected by it

9. Task Group Recommendations – Child and Family Poverty Actions Agree a definition of poverty and social exclusion Simplify and raise awareness of the routes to financial support Training, education and awareness of the multi- dimensional aspects of poverty Identify key times in the lives of children and young people when additional financial support is required and provide that support

10. Task Group Recommendations – Child and Family Poverty Actions (contd) Address the needs and rights of children in poverty when tackling the needs of vulnerable groups and promoting neighbourhood renewal and community development Target support, education and training initiatives and research towards people at risk of/ experiencing trans-generational poverty Address shortage and quality of accommodation Address barriers in access to services, especially in health and education Give consideration to the link between poverty, equality and sectarianism

11. Taking the Work Forward Discussions with departments -ambitious but deliverable! Draft Strategy (late Spring 2004) -draft vision, values and principles -a set of draft strategic outcomes, objectives and indicators -how the Strategy adds value to existing initiatives Strategy finalised by the end of the year