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Supporting One Parent Families During and After the Covid-19 Crisis
Get PDFReportAs a group of organisations working with children and families and some of the most vulnerable groups in Irish Society, we are making this submission to the Special Committee on COVID-19 Response to ensure the needs of lone parents and their children are central to our country’s response to the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. One parent families are disproportionately impacted by many social issues and unfortunately the consequences of COVID-19 are no different. The necessary restrictions to limit the spread of the virus have added huge additional pressures to one parent families as they navigate the practicalities of self-isolation, increased food and energy bills from being at home more, childcare closures, familial conflict due to access issues and home schooling. With 86% of lone parents being women, the impact of the crisis is also a significant gender equality issue. The circumstances of one parent families prior to the pandemic have made them particularly
vulnerable during this incredibly challenging time. Lone parents were already struggling with the impact of years of cuts to public services and social security
Services Provided During the First Covid Lockdown
No full textFactsheetBreakdown of the services provided by Barnardos during the first four weeks of the Covid lockdown
ChildLinks Issue 1: School Age Childcare
No full textBarnardos journal ChildLinksWhile the school age childcare (SAC) sector in Ireland is one of the fastest growing services provided for school-going children, it has developed in an unregulated and largely ad hoc manner. Having been overlooked for many years, things are beginning to change. Notable developments include the publication of An Action Plan for School Age Childcare in 2017 as well as enactment of policies that ensure that SAC providers register with Tusla and that enable services to avail of the National Childcare Scheme. Forthcoming National Standards for SAC are expected to provide guidance across a range of areas such as ratios, required qualifications for staff and the curriculum. At the time of publication, Governments across the world are responding to the complexity of the health, economic and social issues associated with COVID 19 and it is impossible to predict the longer-term impacts this will have on services for children and families. Future developments in SAC must, however, ensure that after a long day in school, children have the opportunity to socialise with friends, play, relax, and to participate in a wide range of cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activities. In the first article in this issue of ChildLinks, Drs Mary Moloney and Jennifer Pope from Mary Immaculate College outline findings of a research study visit to Denmark, reflecting on how SAC is organised, governed and supported in Denmark, and proposing recommendations for Irish policy makers on the on-going development of the SAC infrastructure in Ireland. Later in this issue, Dr Jennifer Cartmel of Griffith University in Queensland considers SAC in Australia, acknowledging the emerging cohort of practitioners there who are keen to support the professionalisation of the sector as well as enhanced communication and governance processes between host schools and services. In order to strive for quality in SAC we must also be sure to listen to the voice of children themselves to shape and inform regulations and quality standards developed for SAC. In the third article in this issue, Dr Deirdre Horgan from University College Cork examines government consultations with children in Ireland on school age childcare (SAC) against the background of the wider child participation agenda. Following this, an article from Barnardos considers afterschool services in Limerick South and how children and families can be best supported through interagency working. Finally, Karen Clince of Tigers Childcare considers the opportunities that school age care offers to support children’s social and emotional development, leading to better outcomes for children
Early Years eNews: Issue 10
No full textNewsletterThis has been a difficult year for everyone, particularly those working in early learning and care. We have been so inspired by the stories of dedication and adaptability of early childhood educators to provide quality care and education for young children, and the news that came in just today that Minister O'Gorman is starting the process to discuss pay and conditions in the early years sector is very much welcomed
Key Changes in Budget 2021
Get PDFPaperThe focus of Budget 2021 is investment in the resilience of the Irish people and the economy; children have demonstrated incredible resilience in this pandemic and continue to do so. Investment in children has never been more important than it is during this pandemic – particularly for the vulnerable children Barnardos works with who are living with mental health challenges, domestic violence and parental addiction. Certain measures contained in Budget 2021, for example those targeting the carbon emissions of older vehicles or the lack of additional funding for Early Years Care (ELC) or School Aged Childcare (SAC), betray the lack of equality proofing. Indeed, Barnardos and others have called for social protection rates to be benchmarked against a Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) as developed by the Vincentian Partnership of Justice, and this was not acted upon. 1 Budget 2021 contains some key investments for children; but it remains to be seen if they will be sufficient to help children through this pandemic. What is clear to Barnardos, based on our experience helping children and families, is that significant investment in children must continue throughout the lifetime of this Government
S is for Stay Safe: Video Lesson Worksheet
No full textInformation sheetS is for Stay Safe, video lesson worksheet
Early Years eNews: Issue 7
No full textNewsletterEarly learning and care settings that have already re-opened have been rising to new challenges and it is great to hear how well children have settled back in. There will be more settings re-opening over the next few weeks and we wish you all well with the adjustments you will be making to your daily practice
Barnardos National Parent Support Service
Get PDFInformation sheetBarnardos provides practical and emotional supports to children and parents in its 41 centres, in families’ own homes, through the school environment, and within communities across Ireland. Last year we worked with over 20,000 children, young people and their families. Given our expertise in providing a wide variety of supports to families and children, Barnardos have launched a national telephone and email support service for parents in response to the challenges they are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic. This service will be staffed by Barnardos project workers who are trained professionals in the areas family support and social care
Children's Budget 2021
Get PDFPaperThis new Government has taken office at what is undoubtedly one of the most challenging periods in recent history. For children, this is a critical time with much uncertainty; but with the right budgetary allocation it could also be a time of hope and opportunity. Barnardos’ Children’s Budget sets out how, with targeted investment in evidenced based services and supports, this Government could change the course of vulnerable children’s lives. The pandemic restrictions have been hard on children, particularly vulnerable children who are often without the same support structures and relationships available to other children. The coming months and years are likely to bring a recession the scale of which we do not yet know. We do know children bore the brunt of the last recession. Child poverty doubled and vital services and social welfare supports were cut; many children are still living with the consequences today.1 This time we are prepared and must not be found wanting. We have the benefit of experience and the knowledge that with the right investment all children can thrive. It is welcome that the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future focuses on investment rather than austerity as a response to the latest economic downturn; but the absence of austerity is not enough. The children Barnardos works with were already living with fear, uncertainty, educational disadvantage and poor access to health services before the pandemic began. For them, we must strive for more than a ‘return to normal life’. We believe the Government can do this by investing in evidence based programmes and services designed to recognise and respond to trauma and reduce childhood adversity. Our Children’s Budget recommendations are informed by our experience and expertise in working with vulnerable and at risk children and families. They set out a blueprint for what the new Government must do to reduce the impact of trauma and ensure a brighter future for vulnerable children
Back to School Survey 2020: School Costs
Get PDFInformation sheetIn total, 1,765 parents completed the Barnardos Back to School Survey in 2020. A total of 255 respondents also completed a separate Children and Young People’s Back to School Survey. The majority of parents who took the survey (1,204) had children in primary school, while the remaining 561 had children attending secondary school. There was a broad geographic spread – 61% of respondents are from Leinster, 25% from Munster, 8% from Connaught and 6% from Ulster – which is largely in line with the national population proportions