Tag Archives: news/events

Department of Education protects funding for vulnerable children and young people

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Department of Education protects funding for vulnerable children and young people | Department of Education (education-ni.gov.uk)

Date published: 01 June 2023

The Department of Education has announced it is not proceeding with proposed cuts to Youth Services and a range of Early Years programmes including the Pathway Fund, Sure Start, Bright Start and Toybox. In addition the Department is not proceeding with the full scale of proposed cuts to Extended Schools.

The Education budget for 2023/24 has been cut by £66.4m (2.5%) compared to last year, despite rising costs and increasing demands for services, resulting in an estimated funding gap of around £382m.

Faced with this extremely challenging financial position, the Department has already taken significant decisions to reduce expenditure by £172m. These included the cessation of the Engage, Healthy Happy Minds and School Holiday Food Grant schemes from the end of March 2023 and reductions to the Education Authority’s Aggregated Schools Budget and Block Grant.

Education Permanent Secretary Dr Mark Browne said:

“The Department’s vision for all children is that they will be happy, learning and succeeding.  Delivering on this is particularly challenging  in the current budgetary context, especially in terms of addressing the needs of our most disadvantaged children and young people.  We know that early intervention, especially for our most vulnerable, is critical for development, improving learning outcomes and supporting longer term societal benefits. 

“Accordingly, having carefully considered all of the principles in the Secretary of State’s decision making guidance, I am not cutting funding to Youth services and a range of Early Years programmes including the Pathway Fund, Sure Start, Bright Start and Toybox.  In addition I am not proceeding with the full scale of proposed cuts to Extended Schools.

“In considering the scale and cumulative impact of the proposed cuts, which represent a major change to long standing Ministerial programmes and policies, I am of the view that such a decision should be taken by a Minister, not a Permanent Secretary.

“Evidence shows that the scale of the proposed cuts to Early Years, Extended Schools and Youth Service programmes would create greater budgetary pressures for the next financial year and beyond across a range of areas, including special educational needs. 

“Furthermore, the reductions would cause significant detriment to the provision of services for our most vulnerable children, young people and families, and run counter to all the Department’s efforts to tackle educational disadvantage.”

The Department will shortly publish an Equality Impact Assessment Consultation as part of the final budget. Interested parties are encouraged to make responses.  The consultation responses received will be used to inform further mitigation measures and reallocation of any additional funding available during 2023-24.

Notes to editors: 

  1. Sure Start programme delivers targeted Early Years support to children aged 0-3 years in (at least) the 25% most disadvantaged area in NI. Sure Start is targeted in this way as evidence shows that children in areas of deprivation are more likely to underachieve in education, and these children are most likely to benefit from early years support.
  2. The Pathway Fund delivers targeted Early Years support to children aged 0-4 years who are facing disadvantage which is likely to negatively impact on their educational achievement.
  3. The Toybox project was introduced by Early Years Organisation to meet the specific developmental needs of Traveller children (age 0-4) and their families. Toybox support has been expanded in recent years to include support for Roma children and families.
  4. Bright Start provides a subsidy to school age childcare settings based in areas of disadvantage, on school’s estate and in rural areas, with the aim of supporting them to be sustainable.
  5. Extended Schools provides practical assistance to schools to help remove some of the barriers to learning that exist for our most vulnerable children.  The funding supports additional learning interventions in approximately 500 eligible schools serving the most deprived communities.
  6. Investment in youth services provision is fundamental to delivery of the Department’s statutory obligations under Article 37 of the Education (NI) Order 1986.  High quality youthwork is increasingly valued for its direct impact on young people within communities – often proving highly effective with those young people most likely to become disengaged. 
  7. Follow us on Twitter @Education_ni(external link opens in a new window / tab) (external link opens in a new window)
  8. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at press.office@education-ni.gov.uk

Employ Me Programme

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Unlock your potential and get ready for work!

This programme is suitable for individuals aged 16+ who may want to enter/re-enter the world of work and need support to achieve this goal.

What’s involved?

  • Qualifications – numeracy, literacy, ICT, customer service or business administration
  • Support – personal development, health and wellbeing, community engagement
  • Employability – employability support, job search, CV, applications, interviews, entrepreneurship, assistance to source employment, transition and in-employment support 

For further information contact:

REGENER8 Programme – Newry, Mourne, Down & Banbridge Areas

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2023/24 recruitment for the REGENER8 Programme in the Newry, Mourne, Down and Banbridge areas, is now open.

This is a 3 day a week programme  for 16-25 year olds living in the Newry, Mourne, Down and Banbridge areas, who are not in education / employment / training and are in need of 1:1 support or mentoring.

Choose from:

  • Newry: Monday-Wednesday, 10am-4pm
  • Downpatrick: Wednesday-Friday, 10am-4pm

 

Programmes include:

  • Fun activities and trips;
  • Gain accredited qualifications;
  • employability support;
  • Cross-community projects;
  • Work experience;
  • Counselling;
  • Workshops;
  • Driving lessons & test;
  • Provisional licence;
  • Travel & lunch.

 

For further information and to sign up contact:

 

 

 

Police Service of Northern Ireland Highlights Summer Safety Advice

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The Police Service of Northern Ireland are encouraging members of the public to have an enjoyable summer whilst being mindful of safety issues to watch out for.

Lisa Sherman, Crime Prevention Officer, said, “Our priority is to keep people safe and whilst we want everyone to have the best summer possible we would ask the public to keep in mind that the summer months are also when crimes occur.

“We are encouraging young people to stay safe and make good decisions. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our shared public spaces and we will be on patrol in all major tourist areas and beauty spots to ensure everyone’s safety.

“Many people will be taking advantage of a day trip away or break in their holiday home or caravan so it is very important to ensure that your property is secure when you are away.
“It only takes a thief a few minutes to enter your home and take valuables so ensure to secure your house, shed and any other outbuildings.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has outlined top safety tips to be mindful of this July and August:

  • Before you leave your home ensure all external doors and windows are secure and locked.
  • Ensure your main garage door is shut and locked.
  • Do not leave valuable items including bicycles or toys sitting around, outside your house.
  • If you are going away, ask a neighbour to leave your bins out. You can also make your house look occupied by leaving a light on a timer.
  • Always look out for your neighbours. If you see someone acting suspiciously note down a description and car registration details and contact police immediately.
  • Consider installing and approved CCTV that you can monitor remotely including via Wi-Fi.
  • Consider installing an approved Home Alarm system and ensure it is used.
  • Find out if there is a Neighbourhood Watch or Nominated Neighbour scheme in your area.

 

Protect yourself against keyless car thefts, say Police

Police are advising car owners to take the same precautions protecting their vehicle as they do with their home security.

PSNI Crime Prevention Officer, Lisa Sherman said, “Cars are extremely expensive and where possible keep your car in a garage and lock driveway gates.

“Use physical car locks such as steering column locks and chains, as well as keeping all car keys (including spares) away from exterior doors and walls. Motorists are also advised to use a blocking pouch also called a Faraday pouch (lined with metallic material) to help block the wireless signal from your key fob.”

 

Be alert to Scams, warn Police

Police are urging members of the public to talk to older family members following reports of phishing text and WhatsApp messages.

The scams involve a text or WhatsApp from a person claiming to be a family member, and have the common aim of encouraging the recipient to transfer money. While anyone can fall victim to scams, we are seeing this type of scam targeting older people in particular.

Crime Prevention Officer, Lisa Sherman, said: “We are noticing more and more reports in recent months of this type of scam. In each case, a person purporting to be a family member, often a daughter or son, asks for money. Typically, the ‘child’ is short of money or late paying bills, and asks the recipient to transfer money into an account.  This is backed by a story that he or she has recently changed their phone or phone number. In some of these cases, the victim has been careful enough to check with the relative and therefore realise it’s a scam before departing with any money.  Sadly, however, this isn’t always the case. It’s really important that if you have older members of your family, talk with them and warn them about this particular type of scam. This is a really important conversation to have.”

“Fraudsters will try anything to trick people. Scams may come in all shapes and sizes, but they have one thing in common – scammers rely upon the good faith and vulnerability of those they target.  Hard-earned savings can easily be gone in a flash and, with it, one’s confidence.

“Please don’t get caught out.  If you get a message make contact with your son or daughter on their usual number. Don’t get into a text or WhatsApp conversation with the scammers. Spot it. Stop it.”

For further advice and information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.  If you have any concerns about unsolicited calls, emails or letters then please report it to Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040.  You can also call police on the non-emergency number 101.

If you receive a suspicious message, whether by email, website or text message you can take the following actions:

  • Email – if you feel unsure about an email you have received, you can forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Services at report@phishing.gov.uk 
  • Website – If you have come across a website which you think is fake, you can report it here Report a suspicious website https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
  • Text message – Report suspicious text messages for free to 7726.  Your provider can investigate the text and take action if found to be fraudulent.