Young Peoples' Future In Focus

Timely, targeted interventions are vital for the future of young people in NI.

That's according to the Stormont Executive Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Robin Newton, who were speaking at a seminar held in Belfast this week.

'Early Intervention in Children's services – a case study of the Birmingham Brighter Futures Strategy' was hosted jointly by Barnardos and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

The event focused on how to best allocate public resources to improve the future for children and young people.

Junior Minister Kelly said: "We are very aware of the value of early intervention and prevention in children’s services.

"We recognise the very real benefits that can be realised through providing timely and targeted interventions, most importantly for the young people involved but also for the economic benefits that be achieved by such practices," said the Sinn Féin MLA.

Also commenting, DUP MLA Robin Newton (pictured above) said: "We realise that there are no quick fixes in relation to improving the lives of children and young people.

'We must raise awareness, at all levels, of the need to re-evaluate our spending. The cost of investment at an early stage can be much less than the cost of tackling problems, which may later emerge if action hasn’t been taken early enough."

The seminar also involved guest speakers Michael Little, Director of Social Research at Dartington, and Tony Howell, Strategic Director, Children, Young People and Families in Birmingham.

(BMcC/KMcA)