Strabane mother backs Barnardo's NI call to expand SureStart services

A STRABANE mother who uses Strabane SureStart services with her 15 month-old daughter has supported Barnardo's NI election manifesto launch at Stormont, calling on politicians to expand SureStart to support can help children and families to stay healthy and build strong family relationships.

Barnardo’s has called on political parties to do more for children, young people and families ahead of May’s Assembly election.

The largest children’s charity in Northern Ireland has set out three priorities it says will deliver lasting change - ending child poverty, transforming how government works for children and families, and ensuring that every child is given the best start in life.

As part of this call the charity wants to see tangible action from government including:

- introduction of a Northern Ireland Child Payment to help tackle child poverty and improve the financial security of families. Around 73,000 children in Northern Ireland are living in poverty.

- Reform of children’s social care and shifting investment towards earlier support. There are now more than 4,000 children in care in Northern Ireland – the highest number since 1995.

- Expansion of Sure Start services, replacing the current postcode-based access with a needs-led approach so that children and families can access early support wherever they live. Through the SureStart programmes Barnardo’s leads, it currently supports around 3,000 families with children under four in areas of high deprivation in Northern Ireland.

The wider manifesto also calls for expanded eligibility and auto-enrolment for free school meals, a child and family homelessness action plan and a participation fund to ensure children do not miss out on activities.

Every year, Barnardo’s works alongside 18,000 children, young people and families through 45 services across Northern Ireland, and the manifesto has been shaped by their experiences alongside the expertise of practitioners, partners and communities.

Michele Janes, director of Barnardo’s Northern Ireland, said: “We’re calling on the next government to put ending child poverty, transforming how they work together to support children and families and giving every child the best start in life top of their priorities.

“The young people we support tell us poverty continues to limit their opportunities, placing increasing pressure on their families.

"More children are entering care and demand for mental health support continues to grow. Families are waiting too long for help.

“Every child has the right to be safe, to be healthy, to learn, to be heard, and to reach their full potential.

“We need a government that is ambitious and collaborative to make change happen.”

Sheena, who has a 15-month-old daughter, has been supported by Barnardo’s SureStart in Strabane since pregnancy.

She said: "Barnardo’s SureStart has had a hugely positive impact on both me and my child.

“From support during pregnancy and breastfeeding to advice on nutrition and communicating with my baby, I've gained so much confidence.

"SureStart provides a safe, welcoming space where you can ask any question, and I've always felt listened to and supported.

"I wish every parent had access to this kind of support.

“I fully support Barnardo’s call on politicians to expand SureStart because I believe early support can help children and families stay healthy and build strong family relationships.”

For more information about Barnardo’s work in Northern Ireland go to:

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/who-we-are/where-we-work/northern-ireland