Save the Children launched a new report which for the first time reveals statistics that shows children in Northern Ireland are being left behind at 5 and highlights the impact on their cognitive and language skills at ages 7, 11 and 14 years.

With over 100,000 children in NI living in poverty, just under a quarter of all children, it is a matter of concern that the report found over one third (34%) of five-year-old children growing up in poverty are in the lowest performing group compared to one fifth (22%) of their peers.

The figures also show that children who begin their school life behind their classmates struggle to catch up. The research showed that around half of children in poverty who were in the lowest performing group for language ability at age 5 remain in the bottom at age 7, 11 and 14 years.

However, it is important to note that around half of low income children in the lowest performing group, moved out of it. This demonstrates that a child’s future is not pre-determined and that the right interventions can improve the early learning outcomes and other life chances of children growing up in poverty.

Click here to download the report 

CYPSP were delighted to attend and support colleagues in the Republic of Ireland at their recent National workshop on Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) where the prototype for the new TUSLA National Outcomes for Children & Information Hub was presented recognising the importance of a central data hub to measure indicators of success and identifying needs for early intervention.

There was special acknowledgement of the contribution by CYPSP information team in providing learning from the CYPSP data system and supporting TUSLA colleagues with the development of their data hub.    

Keynote speakers shared their experiences and best ways to improve outcomes for children by intervening at an early stage to resolve problems and prevent harm. 

The Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) Programme is a comprehensive programme of early intervention and preventative work which has been undertaken by Tusla,  with the support of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway and funded by Atlantic Philanthropies.

Find out more about TUSLA by clicking here 

Ulster University launched its Autism Research Hub in October 2017, which will work in partnership with Autism NI.  This was developed from recent recommendations that stemmed from the Autism Act (NI) 2011 and the consequent implementation of the NI Autism Strategy.   The University has a history of working with Autism NI; therefore, it was a natural progression to collaborate with Autism NI to develop the Research Hub.

The aim of the Autism Research Hub at Ulster University will be to identify and enhance trans-disciplinary expertise in autism research and the translation of this knowledge into practice.  The credibility and implementation of the NI Autism Strategy can be influenced and measured as part of the Hub’s research outcomes and impact (Ulster University’s Research Impact Strategy (2017-2022).  Working with Autism NI and other stakeholders, service users and their families, will also support researchers engage with civic society and thereby ‘make a lasting contribution to society as a whole’ (Ulster University Five and Fifty: Five Year Strategic Plan, Fiftieth Year Strategic Vision: 2016 – 2034).

Contact Us:

Dr Laurence Taggart will lead the Hub; for additional information please contact info@autismni.org