Transcript Alison Loughlin Regional Manager Parenting Forum NI

Alison Loughlin
Regional Manager
Parenting Forum NI
Parenting in Northern
Ireland:
Policy and Practice
Trends
2 out of 5 parents still use physical
punishment as a means of discipline
 Boys are less likely to be hugged or praised
and more likely to be smacked or hit
 Teenagers less likely to regularly talk to
parents, and also less likely to quarrel
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UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child
Given every opportunity to reach their full
potential
 Express their opinions and be listened to
 Live free from physical punishment
 Decisions are made in the Best Interest of
the Child
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What makes Parenting Hard
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Risky neighbourhoods
Poverty and poor housing
Low pay
Mental health, addiction, domestic violence
Costs/access to childcare and transport
Don’t know where to go for help & advice
Too much and too contradictory advice
What makes Parenting Hard?
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The 24/7 culture
Drug and alcohol misuse
New technology and media
Nothing for kids to do and cost of leisure
Bullying, mugging, racism
Marketing & consumption pressure
Relationship problems
Stress
Whole Child Model
Ideology
Culture
TV/
Advertising
Peers/
Friends
Local
Media
Play/
Leisure
Home & Family/
Carers
Health
Mass
Media
Immediate
Neighbourhood
Community
CHILD
CHLD
Church
Friends
of
Family
Computer/
Internet
School
Police
Housing
Work Place
Law (International & Domestic) including Rights
Services at four levels;• Level 1 - Universal services - available to all
children and families
• Level 2 - Support services for children who are
vulnerable – targeted at specific need
• Level 3- Chronic or serious problems needing
complex mix of services
• Level 4- child outside family – e.g. Looked After, in
custody, in hospital etc
Hardiker Grid
Level 1
Services
available
to all
children
Community
development
Level 2
Schools
Health
Social
Services
Police
Voluntary
Level 3
Level 4
Every Child Matters
Outcomes
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Be healthy – Parents, carers and families promote
healthy choices
Stay safe – Parents, carers and families provide
safe homes and stability
Enjoy and achieve – Parents, carers and families
support learning
Make a positive contribution – Parents carers
and families promote positive behaviour
Achieve economic well-being – Parents, carers
and families are supported to be economically
active
Policy in NI
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OFMDFM Children and Young People’s Strategy
Health Boards Family Support Strategy
DHSSPS – Family and Parenting Strategy
Appointment of a NI Children’s Minister
Review of Public Administration
Children’s Commissioner
Raft of other policies and strategies being
developed which will link to or have an influence
on Family Support such as the Anti Poverty
Strategy or DENI Change to the Curriculum
Outcomes wanted
Think parent
Consultation with Parents, Children and Young People
Better outcomes for children and families
Investment in preventative work
Maintain a balance between universal services for all
families and targeting the most vulnerable
Strengthening the sector
Improving on Interagency Working
Supporting “Children and Young People’s Strategy” And
Family and Parenting Strategies implementation
Good practice taken up – and adequately funded
International Learning
From Sweden
“ Children are entitled to care,
security and a good
upbringing. Children are to be treated with respect for
their person and individuality and may not be subject to
corporal punishment or other humiliating treatment”.
The aim of the ban was to
 Change public attitudes towards physical punishment
 Establish a clear frame work for parent education and
support
 Facilitate earlier and less intrusive intervention when child
protection is required.
International Learning
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Convictions for theft have declined Public support for corporal punishment has
declined (53% before the campaign falling to 11% now for younger parents)
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Practice has changed (study of 15 year olds only 3% report harsh slaps)
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Reports of assaults have increased.
decreased.
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Proportion of assaults pursed remains steady, prosecution rates have declined.
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No increase of parents in the criminal justice system for minor assaults
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No increase in children being removed by social work intervention
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Decreasing numbers of children in care
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Young people’s drug / alcohol intake and suicide rates have declined
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Narcotic crimes have declined
Convictions for theft have declined
Proportion of younger suspects has
•It takes a village to raise a child –
Margaret Mead
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to work well with children we need first
to invest in the parents” - Dympna
Gallagher