Call for better children’s policy

Children in Northern Ireland, the regional umbrella body for the children’s sector, has called on the Executive to introduce two policy mechanisms to improve policy outcomes: a statutory duty to co-operate between departments and children’s budgeting.

“We believe that a revised approach to policy, budgeting and spending is urgently needed to ensure the essential needs of children and young people are protected in a time of diminishing public resources,” Chief Executive Pauline Leeson said at the launch of its policy calls for action at Stormont. She added: “We are seeking the support and partnership of political parties, elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and senior officials in government departments and agencies to endorse these two mechanisms and work toward the achievement of these objectives.”

The launch event was hosted by the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Children and Young People. Its chair, Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle, commented: “As a group, we commend the type of collaborative work which has resulted in the publication of these two mechanisms which would help make children and young people more visible in government policies and priorities.”

Pauline Leeson concluded: “The launch is the beginning of a journey with the Executive and Assembly. It is our intention to work with our MLAs to translate these workable solutions into practice.”