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15/12/2023
Alliance Calls For Free Counselling For Children Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse
Alliance has urgently called for the Department of Health to ensure children in Northern Ireland who have experienced sexual abuse have access to free counselling services.
South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw and North Down MLA Connie Egan have joined the call after charity Nexus announced that it would be withdrawing counselling for four to seven-year-olds as well as pausing support for those aged between eight and 16 due to financial pressures.
Alliance Health spokesperson Ms Bradshaw and Violence Against Women and Girls spokesperson Ms Egan have been engaging with the organisation to try and secure more support.
Ms Bradshaw said: "Previously, Nexus provided access to bespoke counselling services for children and young people under 16, but due to budgetary pressures, the waiting list to this service has been closed."
Ms Egan added: "It is essential the institutions are restored so a Health Minister can take the necessary steps to ensure vulnerable children can access vital counselling services.
"Nexus have also raised significant concerns about funding as we approach the new financial year. Community and voluntary organisations provide much-needed support to our most vulnerable and deserve certainty from government with regards to funding in the future.
"Nexus run the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline which can be reached on 0808 802 1414. This service provides support to victims and their families. It is crucial a bespoke service is created for children and young people under 16 to provide them and their families with the same level of support."
South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw and North Down MLA Connie Egan have joined the call after charity Nexus announced that it would be withdrawing counselling for four to seven-year-olds as well as pausing support for those aged between eight and 16 due to financial pressures.
Alliance Health spokesperson Ms Bradshaw and Violence Against Women and Girls spokesperson Ms Egan have been engaging with the organisation to try and secure more support.
Ms Bradshaw said: "Previously, Nexus provided access to bespoke counselling services for children and young people under 16, but due to budgetary pressures, the waiting list to this service has been closed."
Ms Egan added: "It is essential the institutions are restored so a Health Minister can take the necessary steps to ensure vulnerable children can access vital counselling services.
"Nexus have also raised significant concerns about funding as we approach the new financial year. Community and voluntary organisations provide much-needed support to our most vulnerable and deserve certainty from government with regards to funding in the future.
"Nexus run the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline which can be reached on 0808 802 1414. This service provides support to victims and their families. It is crucial a bespoke service is created for children and young people under 16 to provide them and their families with the same level of support."
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06 March 2024
Dept Of Health Extends Counselling Contract With Nexus
The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that it has extended a contract with Nexus for counselling services. Nexus was awarded a three-year contract in April 2019 to provide a specialist counselling service for victims of sexual abuse, with an option for two one-year extensions. The second of these extensions ceases on 31 March 2024.
Dept Of Health Extends Counselling Contract With Nexus
The Department of Health (DoH) has announced that it has extended a contract with Nexus for counselling services. Nexus was awarded a three-year contract in April 2019 to provide a specialist counselling service for victims of sexual abuse, with an option for two one-year extensions. The second of these extensions ceases on 31 March 2024.
04 March 2024
'Deeply Concerning' DoH Has Ended Nexus NI Contract – SF
Sinn Féin has said that it is "deeply concerning" that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services. Linda Dillon MLA said: "I am deeply concerned that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services for victims of sexual abuse and violence.
'Deeply Concerning' DoH Has Ended Nexus NI Contract – SF
Sinn Féin has said that it is "deeply concerning" that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services. Linda Dillon MLA said: "I am deeply concerned that the Department of Health has ended the contract of Nexus NI for specialist counselling services for victims of sexual abuse and violence.
08 July 2008
Ruane Supports Counselling For Gay Pupils
Weeks after controversial comments on 'turning' members of the gay community by DUP MP, Iris Robinson, the NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has placed herself firmly on the side of tolerance and acceptance - and indicated she is backing school-based professional counselling services for gay pupils.
Ruane Supports Counselling For Gay Pupils
Weeks after controversial comments on 'turning' members of the gay community by DUP MP, Iris Robinson, the NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has placed herself firmly on the side of tolerance and acceptance - and indicated she is backing school-based professional counselling services for gay pupils.
20 February 2006
North Belfast counselling service receives £145,000 grant
The Department of Social Development's Belfast Regeneration Office has today awarded a grant of £145,000 to a community based counselling service for North Belfast.
North Belfast counselling service receives £145,000 grant
The Department of Social Development's Belfast Regeneration Office has today awarded a grant of £145,000 to a community based counselling service for North Belfast.
22 May 2003
Government called on to fund school counselling
The NSPCC has called on the Government to provide sufficient funding for the adequate counselling of school children in Northern Ireland. The children's charity made the call at an NSPCC conference in Belfast because of fears that they will not be able to continue to pay for such services themselves in the near future.
Government called on to fund school counselling
The NSPCC has called on the Government to provide sufficient funding for the adequate counselling of school children in Northern Ireland. The children's charity made the call at an NSPCC conference in Belfast because of fears that they will not be able to continue to pay for such services themselves in the near future.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
