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Patients. Parents. People. Towards integrated supports and services for families experiencing mental health difficulties.
Get PDFPaperIn recent years pressures on parents have increased, with austerity budgets cutting child support payments and increasing costs. Barnardos has more than 40 services across the country and staff are reporting that poor mental health among parents is increasing in prevalence. Barnardos staff 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. These reports prompted Barnardos to examine the issue of mental health specifically in relation to parents to try and identify ways in which approaches and supports can be improved. In the majority of cases Barnardos encounters, parents are experiencing feelings of anxiety, stress and hopelessness. There is a proven link between poverty and poor mental health and often the parent’s life circumstances are at the root of these feelings and exacerbating them. Staff also found that very few parents have adequate support for their mental health difficulty
ChildLinks Issue 1: Children's Health
No full textBarnardos journal ChildLinksIn Budget 2014, the Government announced that it would be introducing free GP cards for under-sixes, a welcome first step that will alleviate the pressure on many parents of having to choose between paying a bill or putting food on the table and paying for a GP visit for their sick child. In this issue of ChildLinks, Barnardos examines the role of good health in childhood as fundamental to a child’s positive development and also an important indicator of well-being in later life. Access to healthcare, therefore, while being a core human right for any of us, is all the more important for our children, not just because of children’s often immediate and pressing need, but because access to quality healthcare can ensure every child in Ireland is given the best start in life. Over recent years a wealth of information on all aspects of the lives of children and young people has been made available through the Growing Up in Ireland study. The study looks at the physical health of young children in Ireland, identifying the key factors which most help or hinder their development and examining their progress and well-being at critical periods from birth to adulthood. As a nation we have made a number of recent advances in terms of health and health care, however, there are still a number of ongoing threats to our children’s health and well-being. The Cork Children’s Lifestyle Study assesses the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Irish children, explores factors associated with childhood overweight and obesity, and assesses the average salt intake and distribution of blood pressure in children in Ireland. The Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity study assesses indices of health and fitness among children and analyses information on the factors influencing physical activity, physical education and sport participation levels of children in Ireland. The information collected has provided guidance to the development of policy in the areas of health, sport, education, transport and the environment, all of which have important roles to play in getting Irish children more active more often. Mary Roche from Child Health and Screening in the HSE looks at unintentional injuries to children and injury prevention in an Irish and International context and discusses current research, policy and practice initiatives in Ireland. The final two articles in this issue look at health promotion in early years care and education, a sector ideally positioned to target interventions from infancy to preschool
Evaluation of the National Early Years Service (Tús Maith)
Get PDFEvaluation reportThe evaluation of Tús Maith was undertaken by the Centre for Social and Educational Research (CSER), in collaboration with the UCD Geary Institute from 2011 to 2013. The ultimate aim of the evaluation was to assess the effectiveness of the Tús Maith programme in terms of delivery and sustainability and its impact on young children. The approach was mixed methods and quasi-experimental, incorporating a number of elements. The qualitative component included semi-structured interviews with Tús Maith staff, their project managers, the Tús Maith coach, regional and national managers, and parents. In addition, pre-and-post-programme quantitative data was collected from the children’s parents and project staff implementing Tús Maith. Changes were assessed in the four outcome areas of emotional well-being; social competence; language and literacy; and physical development. In total, 108 children from eight Tús Maith pre-school settings took part in the study. In addition, a comparison group of 179 children from nine alternative pre-school settings also participated. It was found that Tús Maith cohort had a higher percentage of Traveller children, while the comparator cohort had no Traveller children
Early Years eNews: Issue 4
No full textNewsletterIn this issue of Childcare eNews we bring you details of a number of recently published reports including the Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Survey, Holistic Early Childhood Development Index Framework and NEYAI evaluation reports. There is also news of two recent appointments and other updates from the early years sector
Quality Adult-Child Interactions in Early Years Services
Get PDFBookThis book aims to support early childhood practitioners to explore current theory and best practice on the central core role of their profession: relationships and interactions, quite simply on ‘being with’ young children. It will guide you, as an early years practitioner, in your day-to-day practice and can be used as a tool for continuing professional development.
Before we can know ‘how’ to do something, we need to understand the reasons ‘why’ we should do it. It is essential, therefore, that you understand the theory behind successful relationships and interactions in order to apply and implement this knowledge into your practice.
In this book, practitioners are encouraged to reflect at various levels, first as an individual and also as a member of a team. While both managers and practitioners can use this book on an individual basis (as can students of early years care and education and those who are supporting services), the book can also be used in team discussions and many of the areas covered should be considered as a team.
Each section covers a number of different topics or concepts. In the early sections, the theory behind a concept is explored and the implications it has for practice and how it relates to practitioner experience is then examined. You can read through the theory and consider how it relates to your work with the children in your care over a period of time. Ideas for practice can then be implemented – consider whether these should be done at a certain time of the day, with which child or children, and how you can observe and reflect on the outcomes
Children’s Budget 2015
Get PDFPaperAs 2014 progresses there is increasing commentary highlighting Ireland’s return to economic growth with better than expected exchequer returns, reducing unemployment and increasing consumer confidence. But such commentary is disingenuous and unhelpful as many of the communities we work with are still reeling from the impact of austerity measures imposed over the past six years. Issues including high levels of private debt, significant levels of long term unemployment and inadequate access to public services are very common. This leads to overriding feelings of hopelessness and despair which are becoming entrenched by the continued adoption of economic policies that reinforce societal inequalities. Children in low income families are falling victim to societal inequality that keeps them stuck in intergenerational cycles of poverty. It is a damning indictment of austerity policies that consistent poverty among children increased from 6.3% in 2008 to 9.9% in 2012 with almost half of all families relying on social welfare or low paid work. Highlighting the unequal distribution of austerity, in 2012 the richest 10% of households received 24% of the total disposable income and the poorest 10% of households received just 3%. Persistent inequality is the result of pursuing austerity policies in a low taxation regime. Ireland has one of the lowest levels of taxation and social insurance in the EU, at threequarters the EU average level. The Government’s Statement of Priorities and Medium Term Economic Strategy pledged to tackle inequality and ensure that any economic recovery benefits all citizens. To honour this commitment Budget 2015 decisions must invest the maximum available resources into quality public services that will make a real difference to children’s lives. With inflation rising again and the related increase in pricing of some goods and services it is imperative that those on low incomes are not pushed deeper into poverty as they struggle to compete with the rising costs of living. Barnardos remembers how many families were left behind by the Celtic Tiger. The Government must ensure that any rising tide of economic recovery lifts all boats, not just those of the already well off
Translating Evidence to Practice: The Impact of Drug & Alcohol Misuse on Parenting Capacity
No full textFactsheetParents play a pivotal role in providing a safe and developmentally-appropriate environment for their children. As children grow and develop, a parent needs to be flexible in order to respond to the changing needs of their child. They need an awareness of what is happening in the world around them and the impact of this on their child. While parental misuse of drugs and/or alcohol alone does not predict parenting capacity, it may indicate that a family is at an increased risk of having parenting capacity compromised and this, in turn, will have negative implications for the children in their care
Submission regarding the Roll Out of Free GP Care to Under 6s
Get PDFPaperBarnardos strongly welcomed the announcement in Budget 2014 of free GP care to all children under six. Barnardos believes this is the first step towards universal health insurance for all and is an excellent investment in children and their futures. It creates a level playing field where access is based on need rather than ability to pay. It will ensure that children’s illnesses are diagnosed and treated earlier. In the long term it will generate savings to the exchequer as it will mean less hospitalisation costs and reduced absenteeism from school
Barnardos Homemaker Family Support Service
Get PDFInformation sheetInformation sheet describing the work and programmes delivered by Barnardos Homemaker Family Support Service in Limerick
Barnardos Annual Report and Financial Statements 2013
Get PDFAnnual ReportIn 2013 Barnardos worked with almost 9,000 children and families across Ireland to change their lives for the better. We supported them to build their skills, abilities and capacity to change their lives for the better. But you can’t do that without building trust with those we work with. It is long term intensive work. Sometimes progress is measured in very small steps initially – like
the child who sat under a table for three weeks and wouldn’t speak to adults or make eye contact, coming out from under the table and beginning to interact with others. And they did that because their key worker lay on the ground for those three weeks reading stories to the child. Earning their trust bit by bit every day and being there for them. Building the child’s confidence by coaxing them gently – never pushing them or forcing them. Our people focus on strengths in children and parents and support them to be the best they can be. They deliver proven programmes with positive outcomes. Life changing outcomes. At the heart of our work is a set of core values which inform every aspect of our services, policies and practices