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Listen to this31 OCTOBER
USA
Newly released data show the number of children in foster care nationally has increased for the third year in a row.
Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data released by the Children’s Bureau, within HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, show a continued increase in the numbers of children in foster care.
Nearly three quarters (71 percent) of states reported an increase in the numbers of children entering foster care from 2014 to 2015. The five states with the largest increases were Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, and Minnesota; these five states were also among the states with the largest increases between 2013 and 2014.
Although there is variation in how states report factors that contribute to foster care cases, it appears that parental substance use may have contributed to the growth in the child welfare population. From 2012 to 2015, the percentage of removals where parental substance use was cited as a contributing factor increased 13 percent (from 28.5 percent in 2012 to 32.2 percent in 2015) –the largest percent increase compared to any other circumstance around removal. Though ACF’s efforts to improve state reporting have likely contributed to the overall rise in cases, the greater prevalence of parental substance use among cases may also explain some of this increase. In addition, neglect as a circumstance around removal also increased from 56.4 percent to 60.7 percent over the same time period.
Officials at the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) interviewed child welfare directors in states experiencing the highest increase in foster care numbers, and state officials informed ACYF what the data suggest: a rise in parental substance use is likely a major factor driving up the number of children in foster homes. Citing opioid and methamphetamine use as the most debilitating and prevalent substances used, some state officials expressed concern that the problem of substance use is straining their child welfare agencies.
State child welfare directors also emphasized that recent trends in substance abuse are sometimes affecting entire families and neighborhoods, making a child’s placement with relatives an unviable option. Increased collaboration across service providers and community leaders will be necessary to address this rising challenge.
One such approach is the Children’s Bureau’s regional partnership grants program, which specifically focuses on improving the safety, permanency and well-being of children who have been removed from the home as a result of parent or caregiver substance use. The President’s FY 2017 budget request includes an expansion of the regional partnership grants from $20 million to $60 million annually to improve the well-being of children and families affected by substance abuse. Families who participated in previous regional partnership grants projects experienced enhanced outcomes, including successful recovery, increased number of children remaining at home, increased reunification rates, decreased recidivism, and dramatic differences in the rate of children who returned to out-of-home care as compared to families who did not participate in the regional partnership grants projects.
Because too many Americans with substance use disorders do not get the treatment and care they need, the President’s FY 2017 budget request calls for $1.1 billion in new funding to help make sure everyone who seeks treatment can get it.
27 October 2016
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28 OCTOBER
NORTHERN IRELAND
The Fostering Network Northern Ireland is today highlighting the fact that care experienced young people are in danger of missing out on the chance of individualised support while at university, as the charity launches its annual Tick the Box awareness campaign today in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.
By making sure they ‘Tick the Box’ on their UCAS or Further Education application form saying they are care experienced, care leavers can access a range of additional support varying from financial support to help with student accommodation.
Speaking at the campaign launch, Kathleen Toner, director of The Fostering Network Northern Ireland said: ’The number of care leavers starting university has doubled over the past three years, but we know there is much more room for growth. The Tick the Box initiative helps address barriers to accessing further and higher education and has resulted in young people in Northern Ireland being able to access additional support to continue their educational journey. There’s no stigma attached to ticking the box, but it does open the door for the additional help and support care experienced young people may benefit from at university.
’We’re particularly delighted that all further and higher education institutions in Northern Ireland as well as the Health and Social Care Board are so supportive of this initiative – together we can help care experienced young people to achieve the future they deserve.’
Deirdre Coyle from the Health and Social Care Board said: ’As a corporate parent we want all children and young people in care to succeed in education and to gain the skills and qualifications that will help them secure employment, be economically independent and have a good quality of life in adulthood.
‘”Ticking the Box” on their application forms for further and higher education colleges and institutions is an assured means of promoting, engaging and maximising the support that is so readily available to young people in and leaving care.
'We continue to work in partnership with a collective of key agencies, FE colleges, Universities, HSC Trusts, Careers Service, DE, The Fostering Network, VOYPIC and Include Youth to maximise supports and opportunities that will assist young people to engage in and sustain further and higher education.'
26 October 2016
https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/news/2016/one-tick-could-change-life
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26 OCTOBER
UK
Almost a third of the new teachers who started jobs in English state schools in 2010 had left the sector five years later, ministers have confirmed.
Of 24,100 state school teachers to qualify in 2010, 30% had quit by 2015, Schools Minister Nick Gibb revealed in a written parliamentary answer.
The Liberal Democrats say the figures are a "damning record" of Michael Gove's term as education secretary.
The government said teacher retention had been broadly stable for 20 years.
The figures were confirmed by Mr Gibb in a written parliamentary
answer to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland.
They show that in November 2010 24,100 newly qualified teachers entered
English state schools. After one year 87% were still there. This fell to
82% after two years, 77% after three years, 73% after four years and 70%
after five years.
Liberal Democrat education spokesman John Pugh said he blamed changes brought in by Mr Gove, who turned more than half of secondary schools into academies, reshaped the curriculum and rewrote the exam system.
"It is bad enough that dedicated teachers are being driven away from the profession they love, but this is also laying the foundations for a disastrous teaching shortage in years to come if we cannot train new teachers fast enough to replace the ones which leave," said Mr Pugh.
"The government must urgently work with the teaching community to address the many factors which are making teachers feel demoralised and under-valued; as well as reversing their devastating cuts to school budgets, which are putting increasing pressure on teachers and schools."
24 October 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/education-37750489
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24 OCTOBER
Young people across the country are to benefit from an allocation in youth funding of just over €57m.
The Minister says the funding will allow for significant increases for existing youth services, the inclusion of communities identified as needing better youth services and the start of the first LGBT National Youth Strategy.
The 2017 allocation represents an increase of €5.5m which will be used across a number of areas including:
The Minister will be meeting national youth organisations in the coming days to review the impact of their supports and services on children, young people and wider communities.
Announcing the funding Minister Zappone added:
“The 10% increase for services aimed at children and teenagers is welcome and effectively reverses the cuts which had to be endured in recent years.
Travelling around the country I have been hugely impressed by the impact frontline services are having through youth cafes, sports and vital supports for those young people who need them most.
Volunteers and staff are transforming young lives and giving many an opportunity to start again.
This funding must be used to support that existing frontline work and also to identify challenges which are not currently being met.
I look forward to continuing my engagement not only with youth
organisations nationally but with children and teenagers on the ground
to hear their views on how we should progress.”
22 October 2016
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?Docid=4017&CatID=11&mn=&StartDate=1+January+2016
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21 OCTOBER
Activists concerned about disciplinary policies that force students out of school and into the justice system will gather in cities across the country this week to make their case for reform.
In Boston, they plan to fan out to ask their peers about their experiences with school discipline, results they will pass on to city school administrators.
In Miami, the community will gather for a Forum on Black Lives focused on local county and school board races to ensure school discipline is on the agenda.
And in Dayton, Ohio, organizers will release report cards that show how every school system in the state is performing on disciplinary measures, data that’s collected but not publicized by state officials.
The events are part of the Dignity in Schools Campaign’s 7th annual Week of Action to raise awareness about school pushout. The campaign’s supporters argue schools are too quick to punish students harshly, especially students of color, students with disabilities, and students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Suspensions and expulsions can cause students to leave school and lose direction in their lives, ultimately ending up in the criminal justice system, a phenomenon known as the school-to-prison pipeline, they say.
This year, the national campaign will stress five key reforms:
• Shift funding from school police officers to
counselors and peace workers;
• Fund and use restorative justice and
mediation practices;
• Stop arresting and pushing students out of
school, especially students of color, LGBT youth, youth experiencing
homelessness and students with disabilities;
• Make sure officials
focus on a healthy school climate as required by the federal Every
Student Succeeds Act; and
• End paddling and other physical
punishment.
Since the campaign launched a decade ago, communities are increasingly aware of the importance of paying attention to disciplinary policies, said Nancy Treviño, a spokeswoman for the campaign. The federal government has released recommendations on discipline, cities and states have adopted new policies and media organizations are more likely to tell the stories of communities concerned about school pushout.
But, much work remains to be done, organizers say. The politics of every community vary, making the implementation of policies that stress alternatives to suspension or promote restorative justice the next hurdle for advocates, Treviño said.
Ten years ago, school administrators had to be introduced to concepts like school pushout, said Ruth Jeannoel, lead organizer at Power U Center for Social Change in Miami. Now they know more but still sometimes have to be prodded into following through on proposed policies or informing students of their rights, she said. “There’s a lot of work that has happened, but of course there’s a lot more to do,” she said.
In Boston, advocates long have enjoyed a good relationship with city school officials, said Tina-Marie Johnson, a youth worker at Youth Organizers United for the Now Generation.
Each year, advocates share their findings from the surveys youth take of their peers to make the case for where reforms still are needed. And organizers update the survey each year, to be sure they’re addressing new issues that may have arisen and capturing as much data as they can about whether some populations of students face harsher consequences than others. “We want the conversation to be inclusive of all members of the school community, especially those who [are] affected the most,” Johnson said.
Hashim Jabar, director of the West Dayton Youth Task Force, said data is critical for making the case to school, local and state officials, but he also wants families to spend time understanding what’s happening in their local schools. “The community as well needs to know more and stand up for themselves and take the information and use it to be empowered,” he said.
IBy Sarah Barr
20 October 2016
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19 OCTOBER
NEW ZEALAND
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley says that as part of the radical overhaul of care and protection, Cabinet has agreed that young people will no longer have to leave state care at 17, and will be able to remain in care or return to care up until the age of 21, with transition support and advice available up to 25.
“The government is addressing the long-term trauma and poor life outcomes for young people who have been in care, based on recommendations from an independent expert panel,” says Mrs Tolley.
“As part of these reforms, we intend to increase the age at which vulnerable young people are eligible for care and support, to provide the stability and security they need and deserve as they transition into independence.
“As the guardian of young people in care we can no longer turn our back on them when they turn 17. No responsible parent would do that. Given that many have suffered significant trauma, some of these young adults are not ready to lead independent lives.
“They deserve the financial, emotional and housing support which will allow them to thrive and go on to lead successful independent lives. Currently, for too many of these vulnerable young people, their life outcomes are dreadful.”
The independent expert panel which reviewed the CYF care and protection system found that by the age of 21, for children with a care placement who were born in the 12 months to June 1991:
• Almost 90 per cent are on a benefit
• Around
25 per cent are on a benefit with a child
• Almost 80 per cent do not
have NCEA Level 2
• More than 30 per cent have a Youth Justice
referral by age 18
• Almost 20 per cent have had a custodial sentence
• Almost 40 per cent have had a community sentence
“For the sake of these young people this cannot be allowed to continue,” says Mrs Tolley.
“Raising the age of care and support to 21 will provide the stability and security of a loving home as they take on the challenges and responsibilities of young adulthood, while also removing the barriers to completing their education and engaging in employment.”
As part of the new operating model for care and protection under the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki, legislation will be introduced so that:
• Young people will be able to remain in, or
return to care up to the age of 21, either with an existing or former
caregiver or an alternative caregiver
• Financial assistance will be
provided to the caregiver taking into account the young person’s
individual circumstances, and could include a contribution from any
income they have
• The caregiver will provide pastoral care for the
young person to gradually become more independent
• The new Ministry
will monitor the living arrangements against specific care standards
• Transition advice and assistance will be available up to the age of 25
for young people who have been in care, focusing on those with higher
and more complex needs
The Minister will report back to Cabinet on the shape of financial assistance for caregiving, and on a likely phased-in approach for raising the age of care to 21 starting in 2018.
Legislation is going through Parliament at the moment raising the age of care and support to a young person’s 18th birthday, which will come into effect from April 2017 when the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki begins operating.
“I want to thank the caregivers who open up their lives and homes to our most vulnerable children. We will be trying to attract more of these very special people in the months and years ahead, and will ensure that they have the support and resources to continue to provide a stable and loving home as these young people develop into their late teens and twenties,” Mrs Tolley says.
“We must have a care system that puts the needs of children and young people first in everything it does. Raising the age of care and support is just one part of our radical overhaul, as we deliver a system that is truly child-centred and which provides safety, care, love and support all the way from childhood into adulthood.”
The relevant Cabinet papers can be viewed at: http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/investing-in-children/new-childrens-agency-established.html
19 October, 2016
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/age-care-and-support-increase
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17 OCTOBER
Ontario is implementing its first comprehensive Opioid strategy to prevent opioid addiction and overdose by enhancing data collection, modernizing prescribing and dispensing practices, and connecting patients with high quality addiction treatment services.
Ontario's strategy to prevent addiction and overdose includes:
• Designating Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Chief
Medical Officer of Health, as Ontario's first-ever Provincial Overdose
Coordinator to launch a new surveillance and reporting system to better
respond to opioid overdoses in a timely manner and inform how best to
direct care.
• Developing evidence-based standards for health care
providers on appropriate opioid prescribing that will be released by end
of 2017-18 to help prevent the unnecessary dispensing and
over-prescribing of pain killers.
• Delisting high-strength
formulations of long-acting opioids from the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary starting January 1, 2017 to help prevent addiction and support
appropriate prescribing.
• Investing $17 million annually in
Ontario's Chronic Pain Network to create or enhance 17 chronic pain
clinics across the province, ensuring that patients receive timely and
appropriate care.
• Expanding access to naloxone overdose
medication, available free of charge for patients and their families
through pharmacies and eligible organizations to prevent overdose
deaths.
• Increasing access to Suboxone addiction treatment and
improving patient outcomes and integration of care for those using this
treatment.
• Beginning October 1, 2016, stricter controls on the
prescribing and dispensing of fentanyl patches took effect. Patients are
now required to return used fentanyl patches to their pharmacy before
more patches can be dispensed.
Ontario's opioid strategy was informed by the recommendations of the Methadone Treatment and Services Advisory Committee, which was established by the province to advise on strengthening Ontario's methadone treatment and related services. Today, Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Dr. Williams have written to all health care providers in Ontario outlining the strategy and enlisting their support to help prevent and reduce opioid addiction and overdose. The government will continue to seek input on the strategy and identify additional areas for consideration.
Modernizing pain management practices and preventing opioid addiction and overdose is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care. The action planprovides patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to live healthy, and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.
Quick facts
• In 2014, over 700 people died in Ontario from
opioid-related causes, a 266 per cent increase since 2002.
• Suboxone
is used to treat opioid addiction. The risk of a fatal overdose on
Suboxone is significantly less than with methadone.
• The Methadone
Treatment and Services Advisory Committee is comprised of addiction
experts, experienced clinicians and patient advocates from across
Ontario.
• Ontario’s actions build on the 2012 expert working group
report Stewardship for Prescription Narcotics in Ontario.
• In fall
2016, public consultations will be held with families, caregivers,
academics and health care providers, people with lived experience, among
others, to seek input on the strategy and to identify additional
important considerations.
12 October 2016
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
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14 OCTOBER
More than 3,000 South Australian children under the age of nine were given shelter by a homelessness agency last year with most of them fleeing domestic violence, Shelter SA says.
Fresh figures on youth homelessness in the state revealed nearly 5,500 minors were given shelter over the course of the year.
Shelter SA executive director Alice Clark said domestic violence was the main reason for the rising figures, with most of the younger children accompanying a fleeing mother.
"What we know is, domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness, so many of these small children will be with a parent, usually a woman who's fleeing domestic violence," she said.
"It seems that we see people sleeping rough on the streets and we think there's one or two or 10 people who are in the city who are experiencing homelessness, but these figures show that there are many more than that."
She said homelessness across the state was not a new problem, but the rising number was enough reason to stop selling off public housing assets. "We must have affordable housing. Stop selling off our public housing – it's desperately needed," she said.
"Homelessness is getting worse in South Australia and across the country. It's really a poverty problem where we're seeing families that are under so much pressure with the cost of housing, the cost of living, not being able to afford basic items – even food, that are becoming desperate."
She said while the State Government did well to address homelessness issues, more could be done to help, especially in the way of emergency housing for children, particularly in the regions. "The country regions of SA have very similar problems to us in the city around homelessness, housing is not more affordable for people living on low incomes across the state," she said.
"They might have a smaller scale problem because there's a lower population, but they have exactly the same stories about families, about young people and people sleeping rough and not enough crisis accommodation."
Minister for Youth Zoe Bettison said the Government was working to address the problem, including a $300,000 pilot program aimed at preventing youth homelessness in Mount Gambier.
"We identify people in their early years of high school who are likely to experience homelessness in the future," she said. "We provide those wraparound services to them and intensive case management to stop them falling into homelessness in the first place."
13 October 2016
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12 OCTOBER
New figures show almost 3 million apprenticeships created since May 2010 as part of government’s drive to create opportunities for all.
More people than ever before are taking advantage of high quality apprenticeships and traineeships that give them the skills and experience they need for a successful career.
Provisional figures released today (6 October 2016) show a rise in the number of people reaping the benefits of apprenticeships with around 905,000 people in an apprenticeship this year alone. The figures also show that there are more young people starting apprenticeships, with over 130,000 starts by under 19-year-olds during the 2015 to 2016 academic year.
Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Robert Halfon said:
“Apprenticeships work, that’s why they lie at the heart of our commitment to giving everyone the chance they deserve to get the skills and jobs they need for their future.
“It is great news that there are more apprentices and trainees than ever before. I am determined that we build on this success so that everyone who wants to can benefit from the ladder of opportunity they offer.”
High quality skills and apprenticeships lie at the heart of the government’s drive to create the skilled workforce British industry needs to thrive, to boost productivity and build an economy that works for all.
Today’s provisional figures show that just under 27,000 higher and degree apprenticeships were started so far in 2015 to 2016. Some of the top employers in the country such as BAE Systems and Fujitsu are already on board when it comes to higher apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships are currently available in careers ranging from engineering to public relations. The government is continuing to work with higher education institutions, including Russell Group universities, to discuss their plans for delivering degree apprenticeships.
Traineeships play a significant part in the government’s commitment to creating the highly skilled workforce our employers need. Today’s figures show provisionally that there were 23,900 traineeship starts in 2015 to 2016, a substantial increase from 19,400 in 2014 to 2015. Traineeships equip young people who are looking for work with the skills, confidence and vital work experience they need to gain an apprenticeship or other job.
To encourage more young people to consider an apprenticeship as a valid and credible route to a rewarding career, the government has launched the Get In Go Far campaign . The campaign shares the stories of top apprentices working in leading employers including Lloyds Banking Group, Accenture and JCB.
6 October 2016
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-young-people-in-apprenticeships-than-ever-before
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10 OCTOBER
Vulnerable children in Out Of Home Care are a step closer to finding a stable family for life with adoption legislation coming into operation in NSW.
Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard said the legislation ensured the Institute of Open Adoption Studies could access information from a range of organisations to inform open adoption practice and policy.
“For too long, loving families who have wanted to give children in care a stable home for life have faced multiple hurdles and often years of frustration trying to complete the adoption process and the Institute will help us improve this,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The Adoption Amendment (Institute of Open Adoption Studies) Bill 2016 ensures the Institute can access all the authorised information held by government and non-government organisations that it needs to conduct informed research, whilst at the same time ensuring children’s privacy remains protected,” said Mr Hazzard.
While NSW has the highest number of children and young people adopted from care in Australia, the Government insists more can be done. In 2014-15, only 87 open adoptions of children in Out Of Home Care were completed in NSW.
“NSW has around 20,000 children in the Out Of Home Care system and it’s clear many of those children, in appropriate circumstances, could be adopted by loving families,” said Mr Hazzard.
“Giving the Institute the means to conduct independent research into open adoption and its impact on children, birth families, adoptive applicants and adoption practitioners will ensure we deliver the best outcomes possible for children.”
29 September 2016
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/about_us/media_releases/new-law-helps-ease-adoption-delays-and-red-tape
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7 OCTOBER
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) strongly endorses the Children’s Commissioner’s call for all parties to work together to reduce child poverty rates. Using the material hardship measure recommended by Judge Andrew Becroft, the number of New Zealand children suffering serious poverty is currently 149,000.
CPAG and the OCC Expert Advisory Group have been calling for a comprehensive plan to address child poverty, and agree that little will change until the measures are decided, targets are set, significant policies are implemented and progress is monitored.
Successive governments have targeted specific issues relating to child poverty, but so far measured child poverty, whether based on income or material deprivation, has been little affected. Without significant policies, measurable improvements in child poverty that meet targets are not likely.
"Children who grow up in poverty are denied the healthy environment they need to thrive. They live in houses that are damp and cold, they get sick more frequently and are more likely to end up in hospital and have chronic illnesses. They move frequently, so their education is compromised. Their lives are stressful," said Associate Professor Nikki Turner, CPAG health spokesperson.
"These factors combine to mean they are unlikely to reach their potential as adults. The social and economic costs are huge and compounding."
In 2002, the Government finally acknowledged the appalling rates of child poverty in New Zealand. Fourteen years later, despite the Government’s Welfare Working Group, Working for Families (WfF) and the overhaul of Child, Youth and Family (CYF), around one in four children are growing up in income poverty, and almost half those children are in working families.
"The time has passed for arguments about what measure to use," said Associate Professor Susan St John, CPAG economics spokesperson.
"CPAG has concrete suggestions for policies that will make a real difference. One place to start is with an overhaul of Working for Families. There are two things that need to be actioned immediately," says St John.
"First, all low income children must be treated the same for child related tax credits. Adding the In Work tax Credit to the Family Tax credit would deliver an extra $72.50 or more to the worst off families without giving any extra to higher income families.
"Second, all parts of Working for Families need to be adjusted for past inflation and indexed annually to wages as – just as we do for New Zealand Superannuation."
3 October 2016
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5 OCTOBER
Dr Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
Thank you for the invitation to the launch of Early Childhood Ireland's "Doing the Sums: The Real Cost of Providing Childcare in Ireland".
At the outset let me say that we are gathering during what is an important time for the sector. After years of campaigning the issues related to childcare are now the subject of public, media and political debate – that is to be welcomed.
No doubt media coverage over the past two-weeks will have prompted many questions.
At this stage I can confirm that negotiations are continuing on a
daily basis – and if anything are intensifying.The fact that all sides
in politics accept that our current system of childcare must change
should give us hope.
What I am seeking from Government colleagues
is a radical new approach – which will deliver for children, parents and
you the people providing this essential service in every community. Your
voices are important in the debate and I welcome your contributions in
the media and through political advocacy.
Later today I will be back in negotiations with other Ministers and therefor my public comments must be limited at this stage.
I would like to thank Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, for the invitation to launch the Report and may I also take this opportunity to compliment Mark Tully of Meehan Tully & Associates for his comprehensive piece work.
Childcare these days is on everyone's agenda, be it parents, childcare providers, local politicians, and indeed Government.
ECI's commissioned work researches the viability of different childcare business models in Ireland, through a survey on the “real cost” of providing childcare. The research aimed to examine whether it is possible to operate a viable childcare service that supports professional development for staff and provides career pathways.
The report’s key findings relate to wages in the childcare sector, profitability of providers and viability of provision of services especially for those children under 3 years of age, and suggests that Ireland’s “childcare model” is built on three pillars:
The conclusions are very concerning but not unexpected. It is widely acknowledged that making high quality, affordable childcare accessible to all who need it, requires a significantly higher level of investment from the Government over the long term.
We know that Ireland spends 0.5% of GDP on Early Years care and education compared to the OECD average of 0.8%. We will not reach that OECD target in one or two years, but we could in the medium term if government agrees to a multi-annual commitment beginning this year. Last years budget gave us a good start with a 30% increase in funding that extended free pre-school to all children from age three until they start school. We need to build on that in the 2017 Budget.
This report is being launched at a very important time for my Department. Earlier this month at the European Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference I spoke about investment levels in the childcare sector.
I said that increased investment will enable the training and retention of a highly qualified workforce, the development of good governance, the establishment of efficient monitoring and evaluation and a well-designed curriculum; all of which are necessary to assure parents that their children are receiving the best possible care and education.
I said that investment will also ensure affordability for working parents and reduce poverty.
I said that Country Specific Recommendations Ireland has received from Europe and other international criticisms made of us continue to make clear that significant investment is required in Early Years care and education.
I said that I am committed to continuously increasing our investment in early years services to support children’s well-being and learning, throughout my term as a Minister – not least due to the strong research evidence that high quality early years care and education has the capacity to deliver positive outcomes for all children and for society more generally.
Finally, I said that given the social and economic evidence to support investment in childcare, we need to aspire to meet the OECD average within 5 years and commit to the related annual investment.
We must start now.
29 September 2016
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=3997
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3 OCTOBER
AUSTRALIA
There are calls for more resources and training for Tasmanian teachers to manage an increase in transgender students seeking help.
Support organisation Working it Out is currently helping 20 Tasmanian schools, including primary and high schools, as well as faith-based and independent schools. Spokeswoman Susan Ditter said there had been a significant increase in young Tasmanians seeking assistance.
"I'd attribute that to a few things," she said. "I think that the mainstream and social media are building people's confidence."
Ms Ditter said while some schools were on the front foot with LGBTI issues, others fell short. "There's not any training, pre-service training, and so teachers are saying we need someone here to support us to learn."
Ms Ditter is calling for training and awareness around LGBTI issues to be incorporated into university studies, as it is with police recruits and medical practitioners.
The Tasmanian branch of the Australia Education Union agrees. The union's president, Helen Richardson, said teachers were often the first people students turned to for support. "It's really important now that we offer that specific information in teacher training because clearly there's an urgent need," she said. "Teachers have to be equipped and schools have to be ready and offer a really safe environment to these kids."
Susan Ditter said Working it Out received government funding as part of the Safe Schools program to help schools navigate LGBTI issues, but not enough to service all schools.
"At the moment we've got enough funding to meet the needs of the schools that request our support," she said. "We haven't got enough funding as yet to do all schools."
The issue is likely to be discussed when a steering committee of stakeholders meets next term.
By Annah Fromberg
2 October 2016
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