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Barnardos Annual Report and Financial Statements 2014
No full textAnnual ReportIn 2014 Barnardos worked with more children and families across Ireland than ever before. Some might say that that is a measure of our resilience. That Barnardos has survived the years of recession and emerged stronger than ever. That we have been, and continue to be, a constant in the communities we work in. And that may be true. But the sad reality is that we worked with more children and families in 2014 because more children and families needed us than ever before. In 2014 we saw the highest number of children living in consistent poverty ever recorded in this country. That is not something to celebrate. In an Ireland that is now emerging from the years of fiscal austerity we must not forget those who need us most. As Nelson Mandela said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” As a country we must now ensure the society we build is one that values all children equally and is committed to giving each and every child the same opportunities. Our role in Barnardos is to ensure not only that we are there for the children and families who need us most but
that we continue to advocate for them. That we continue to lobby Government to ensure that in the re-building of our economy we do not forget those children, those families and those communities that have suffered most in the last few years. Barnardos will continue to be the best we can be in everything we do. The children and families with whom we work deserve that. Our partners expect it of us and those who support us have shown they trust us to do so. I would like to thank all the staff in Barnardos who work so hard to change lives every day. I would like to thank the Board who give of their time and expertise freely in support of that work. And finally, I would like to thank all those who support Barnardos’ work on an ongoing basis
ChildLinks Issue 3: Children & Inequality
No full textBarnardos journal ChildLinksIn Barnardos pre-election campaign, we calling on all of the political parties to prioritise children in their manifestos. One in nine children in Ireland live in consistent poverty and nearly two in five experience deprivation – this means these children are going hungry, are without a waterproof coat or live in a poorly heated home. 2016 is the centenary of the 1916 Proclamation and, crucially, the centenary of all it promised – including the fundamentally symbolic commitment to cherishing all children equally. We cannot let the election pass without demanding concrete action to address the moral imperative of child poverty. We cannot celebrate the centenary without challenging the many inequalities that allow child poverty to flourish. There are many things that need to happen to challenge inequality. Barnardos is calling for concrete action in five areas of a child’s life: first year of life, early years, education, health and housing. We are demanding change that will have an immediate and real impact on lives as part of a broader strategy to end societal inequality that unfairly affects children. The economy is growing, unemployment is falling, tax cuts are promised in the next Budget. Why, against this background, should we tolerate for a moment longer the kind of choices that are perpetuating poverty and deprivation among Ireland’s children? 2016 must mark a turning point for children in Ireland. It must be the year politicians make the decision to support all children and take concrete steps to end child inequality. Barnardos' key campaign objectives are: 1. Politicians must promise to safeguard the first year of a child’s life and invest sufficiently in Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
2. Politicians must increase investment in early childhood care and education to meet the international average of 0.8% of GDP.
3. The State must provide free primary education. This would require an annual investment of €103.2m, equating to just €185 extra per pupil.
4. Politicians must guarantee access to primary care services for all children when they need it. This would require a guarantee of one fully operational Primary Care Team for every 1,500 children.
5. Politicians must promise to ensure a secure home for all children by stabilising rents over time by linking rental prices to the Consumer Price Index and raising rent supplement levels to help struggling families now
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program: Group Triple P
Get PDFFlyerGroup Triple P is a great way to meet other parents facing the same issues as you. Each group has about 10 or 12 parents, so you won’t feel alone! You will come together with your Triple P provider, who will give you lots of great parenting strategies. You choose the ones that fit your family’s needs
Reflections on Ireland’s UPR Process - from a Children’s Rights Perspective
Get PDFPaperThere have been some welcome developments in relation to the advancement of children’s rights since Ireland’s last UPR review in 2010, including most significantly the 31st Constitutional amendment which introduced children’s rights into Bunreacht na hÉireann. However, the impact of austerity measures and lack of Governmental action in certain key areas have coincided with an alarming increase in child poverty rates, which means there remains serious children’s rights concerns as we approach 2016
Analysis of Budget 2015 from a Children and Families Perspective
Get PDFPaperBarnardos is pleased that some announcements made in Budget 2015 show the Government is keen to offer some relief to low income families. Measures such as a €5 increase in child benefit for all families will help alleviate some financial pressure and the substantial investment in social housing is welcomed. However, it is disappointing that more spending was not invested in key services such as healthcare, education and childcare which would make a tangible difference to the lives of many children. Ensuring access to timely medical interventions, appropriate educational supports and quality subsidised childcare would not only benefit the child directly but also make sound economic sense. Invest now and save in the future should be a guiding principle shaping Ireland’s recovery
Early Years eNews: Issue 5
No full textNewsletterIn this issue of Childcare eNews we look at developments in the area of children’s rights, which include a new app from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office and the publication of a report by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. We also include information on the planned inspections on the quality of educational provision in Ireland’s early years settings and the latest reports from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, on the current preschool inspections
The Housing Crisis
Get PDFPaperBarnardos is seriously concerned about the scale of the housing crisis now facing many low income families particularly those reliant on social welfare. Many children are experiencing their childhood in overcrowded, unsuitable and insecure accommodation which is affecting their social, emotional and educational development. A greater supply of housing across all tenures must be provided and emergency accommodation significantly enhanced to meet the needs of families
ChildLinks Issue 3: Digital Childhood
No full textBarnardos journal ChildLinksOne of the defining features of contemporary childhood in many societies is that children grow up in a world where digital technologies are prominent and taken for granted. There is no doubt that interactive digital technologies have become much more widespread and accessible to children from an early age, influencing children's play, interaction and even identities. A major question is whether these new influences really shape new childhood, or they represent only new ways of satisfying children's unchanging psychological and social needs. Research published in December 2014 by the National Literacy Trust in the UK found that 91.7% of children aged 3 to 5 have access to touchscreen technology at home, and access to such technology in early years setting has doubled since 2013. This use of technology brings with it many benefits but also challenges. In this issue of ChildLinks, Debra Harwood from Brock University, Canada looks at how children are accessing and using technology and examines the learning benefits. She also looks at the critical role of parents and educators in framing digital play, which appears key to insuring the quality of children’s interactions within digital worlds. The LITtLE (Linking Innovative Technology to Learning in the Early Years) research project, conducted by a team of early childhood researchers in IT Sligo, also looks at the new smart play opportunities for today’s children and if/how these are incorporated into early years pedagogy. Early Childhood Ireland surveyed 72 early childhood educators across private and community, sessional and full day care settings to explore the current role of technology in their everyday practice in an effort to explore how early childhood educators view and use technology within the curriculum. Issues raised include educator’s confidence and competence; the availability and use of technology in early childhood settings; the beliefs and rationale for technology; and how it impacts on children’s learning and development, health and well-being, and play and creativity. Malin Nilsen of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden discusses a recently conducted research study, the aim of which was to examine what kind of activities evolve when children and teachers in a Swedish preschool used tablet computers. The study also focused on what kind of learning was made possible and how the children and teachers participated in these activities. As children get older the challenges associated with technology increase as they access more and more content and methods of communicating away from adult supervision. Barnardos and St. Nicholas Montessori College look at the issues around social media and how they impact on children today
ChildLinks Issue 2: Parental Mental Health
No full textBarnardos journal ChildLinksIn recent years, pressures on parents have increased, with austerity budgets cutting child support payments and increasing costs. Barnardos staff are reporting that poor mental health among parents is increasing in prevalence. They are also finding that when a parent experiences a mental health difficulty and they are not adequately supported or are receiving inappropriate treatment, their children can be affected. The slow roll out of A Vision for Change, the Government’s 2006 strategy for mental health services, is seriously affecting the recovery of many adults and children experiencing poor mental health. In this issue of ChildLinks, Barnardos advocates for supporting families who are facing mental health issues in a holistic manner, where the needs of each family member are identified and supported, and gives recommendations for adopting such an approach. Barnardos project leader, Robert Dunne, outlines the work in Barnardos projects supporting children and families impacted by mental health difficulties. Mary Donaghy shares information about the Think Family project in Northern Ireland, which focuses on improving collaborative working and enhancing understanding of multi-disciplinary roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders working across mental health and children’s services. Personal experiences regarding mental health issues in families highlight the challenges faced. Gina Delaney describes the isolation and confusion she felt as a child when she was excluded from discussions and decisions about mental health issues in her family. Fiona Kennedy then shares her own personal experiences of mental health issues and its impact on her family. The stigma that exists around mental health issues can prevent people from seeking the help and support they need. See Change, Ireland’s national programme to change minds about mental health problems, recognises that real change – in terms of attitudes to mental health problems – happens at local and community level. Sorcha Lowry, Campaign Manager with See Change, explains how the organisation spreads the message among local communities, membership organisations and representative bodies. It is not possible to generalise the effects of parental mental health difficulties on families as it can depend on the severity and duration of the difficulty. But the absence of supports for both parents and children can compromise the child’s ability to cope. This can result in children’s social and emotional development and their educational attainment being adversely affected. Often parents will put their children first, even if they are feeling under severe strain. They may also have a concern that asking for help could lead to questions being raised about their parenting capacity. Parents experiencing mental health difficulties must be supported in a sympathetic manner which takes into consideration these additional stresses they are carrying
An Tábhacht Leis An Súgradh Amuigh Faoin Aer. Na Buntáistí a Bhaineann leis an Súgradh Amuigh Faoin Aer do Leanaí Óga.
No full textBookletIs do thuismitheoirí agus cúramóirí leanaí óga suas go dtí sé bliana d’aois é an leabhrán seo, cé go mbaineann an chuid is mó den eolas le leanaí ar gach aois. Leagtar béim ar na buntáistí a bhaineann leis an súgradh amuigh faoin aer agus léirítear conas a thacaíonn an súgradh amuigh faoin aer le forbairt do linbh. Tá buntáistí móra ag baint le bheith ag súgradh i dtimpeallacht faoin aer d’fhoghlaim agus d’fhorbairt leanaí óga. Tá sé ar fheabhas d’fhorbairt fhisiciúil leanaí óga agus, nuair a bhíonn siad ag súgradh amuigh faoin aer, foghlaimíonn leanaí conas réiteach le leanaí eile agus a gcuid mothúchán a bhainistiú. Tá an claonadh ann freisin go bhforbraíonn leanaí dearcadh níos dearfaí i dtreo na foghlama agus iad amuigh faoin aer. De ghnáth bíonn siad níos gníomhaí, tógann siad níos mó isteach agus bíonn siad níos rannpháirtí, agus feiceann siad an aidhm atá siad ag iarraidh a bhaint amach