Presentation to the National Disability Association Conference 22 November 2005 Frances Spillane Director National Children’s Office

 Published in November 2000  10 Year Plan  All aspects of children’s lives  Better co-ordination of services  135 actions (9 Departments)  Fully reflects the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child National Children’s Strategy

Vision An Ireland where children are respected as young citizens with a valued contribution to make and a voice of their own; where all children are cherished and supported by family and the wider society; where they enjoy a fulfilling childhood and realise their potential.

Dimensions of Childhood Development  Physical and Mental Wellbeing  Emotional and Behavioural Wellbeing  Intellectual Capacity  Spiritual and Moral Wellbeing  Identity  Self-care  Family Relationships  Social and Peer Relationships  Social Presentation The ‘Whole Child’ Perspective

Perspective

The Three National Goals  Children will have a voice  Children’s lives will be better understood  Children will receive quality supports and services

cabinet committee on children ombudsman for children national children’s advisory council national research dissemination unit national children’s office minister for children local structures and services for children governmentdepartments The engine for change

 Lead responsibility for children’s participation and research  Monitors progress on implementation  Lead on priorities identified by Cabinet Committee on Children.  Co-ordinating and problem solving Role of NCO

Staff from:  Health and Children  Justice Equality and Law Reform  Education and Science  Social and Family Affairs  Specialist Communications and Research staff Purpose:  To lead and oversee implementation of the National Children’s Strategy NCO – Cross-Cutting Office

National Goal: Children will have a voice in matters which affect them and their views will be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity

 Participation guidelines “Young Voices”  Children and Young people’s forum  Comhairle na nÓg  Dáil na nÓg /Dáil na bPáistí  Student Council Working Group  CSPE teaching/learning resource “Giving Young People a Voice” Goal 1: Giving Children a Voice

 Appointment of Ombudsman for Children  RTE News2Day  Events/Consultations for children and young people on:  BCI children’s code of advertising  L’Europe de L’Enfance  Health service planning and PAC Annual Conference  Mid-term review of national drug strategy  WHO CEHAPE Conference Budapest 2004  International conference in US  Your Education System Goal 1: Giving Children a Voice

National Goal: Children and their lives will be better understood; their lives will benefit from evaluation, research and information on their needs, rights and the effectiveness of services

 National Longitudinal Study on children  Child Wellbeing Indicators  Children’s Research Fellowships  Publish of the Nation’s Children report Goal 2 : Understanding Children Better

National Goal: Children will receive quality supports and services to promote all aspects of their development

14 objectives and 117 actions divided into three groups:  all children have a basic range of needs  some children have additional needs  all children need the support of family and community Goal 3 : Quality Supports and Services

 Children Act, 2001  Youth Homelessness Strategy  Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child  National play and recreation policies  High Level Working Group on Early Childhood Care and Education Goal 3 : Quality Supports and Services (NCO Priorities)

National Play Policy

 Biggest issue identified by children in consultation on the National Children’s Strategy  Commitment in National Children’s Strategy and Programme for Government  NCO given responsibility to prepare a National Play Policy National Play Policy: Background

 Launched by Brian Lenihan, T.D., Minister for Children, on 8th March, 2004  Provides a framework for the expansion of existing and the development of new public play opportunities  Aimed primarily at children aged 0-12  Covers five years (2004 – 2008) National Play Policy: Summary

Objectives  Giving children a voice in design etc.  Raising awareness of the importance of play  Creating a child friendly environment  Maximising public play opportunities for all children particularly children who are marginalised, disadvantaged or who have a disability

National Play Policy: Objectives  Improving quality & safety in playgrounds and play areas  Developing training and qualifications  Developing a partnership approach in funding and developing play opportunities  Improving information, evaluation and monitoring

National Play Policy: Responsibility for Implementation  Local Authorities (main role)  Department of Education and Science  Health Service Executive  Voluntary and Community sector  National Children’s Office

Implementation of Play Policy: Progress to Date  €7.2m for playgrounds in 2004 (77 playgrounds)  €5m for playgrounds in 2005  €2m for skateparks in 2005  Grants schemes include conditions on universal design and consultation with children  Greater awareness of importance of play (link with obesity)  National Play Resource Centre established

National Play Resource Centre Functions:  To provide information, support and advice on a range of issues;  To disseminate information, research and best practice;  In particular to support officers designated with responsibility for play at local level;  To actively develop the play network.

Next Steps  National level: NCO will drive implementation and coordinate and monitor progress  Responsibility for implementation at local level lies mainly with County Councils and CDBs  Annual review by Cabinet Committee on Children  Full independent evaluation at end of term of policy [2008]

 Research concluded on young people’s views on the barriers and supports to recreation  Consultation Document early May 2005 (940 responses received)  Identify gaps resulting from consultation and research with young people  Steering Group established spring 2005 to develop policy National Recreation Policy

National Children’s Office Tel Fax Webwww.nco.ie