The Rise and Fall of the NI Assembly ..

The end of year signalled a time of great optimism for political developments in Northern Ireland. Power was devolved to the NI Assembly and its Executive Committee of Ministers on the 2nd December 1999 following the Good Friday Agreement and its endorsement via Referendum on 22 May 1999.

The North/South Ministerial Council and British-Irish inter-Governmental Conference were established along with the creation of ten departments including the department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety headed by Barbre de Bruin (Sinn Fein).

First Key (NI) and other children's rights and child care organisations including Child Care N.I., the Childrens' Law Centre and N.I. Foster Care Association put energy into making contacts and building relationships with Ministers and members of Department Committees.

It seemed that, at last, we would have direct access to those both responsible and accountable for making policy and decisions about resources. Very positive signals were coming from the DHSS&PS. Bairbre de Brun had planned to meet with us in First Key (NI) in early March to learn about our work and issues facing care leavers in N.I.

The wheels came off toward the end of February 2000. The NI Assembly was suspended and power reverted back to a few Westminster based Ministers. Many of the policy initiatives and key decisions remain on hold.

..And Its Rise Again ?

While it has been frustrating for those trying to undertake lobbying and public policy work in what feels like a political and decision making vacuum. Things are looking up again - with the recent joint announcement by the British and Irish governments and IRA statement.

Maybe will indeed able soon to ride the wave of political and legislative developments taking place in England at present - due not least to the effective lobbying work of First Key and Action on After Care.

DHSS / SSI NI consultation on Leaving and After Care Services in NI

At the turn of the year the DHSS/SSI, having already undertaken an audit with statutory providers, asked First Key (NI) to respond to a draft paper on the development of leaving and aftercare services in N.I.. We persuaded the Inspectorate to extend the timetable and scope of the consultation beyond the 11 Health and Social Services Trusts and few select voluntary organisations. We then took this opportunity to facilitate a response from aftercare practitioners including those working in the voluntary sector here who are key providers of leaving and after services in Northern Ireland.

Leaving Care Fact Sheet

I am also busy compiling a Fact Sheet on Leaving Care in N.I. similar to the one produced by Mike Stein and colleagues for the Princes Trust/Camelot Foundation in England and Wales. It will draw on local statistics, research and First Key (NI) audit work and include information about why children and young people come into care, key challenges the face and types of services available to them. We hope to include information that will help those who assist care leavers.

Supporting After Care Practitioners in Northern Ireland

First Key (NI) has been involved in facilitating, running and development of the After Care Practitioners Group (ACGP) in N.I. since 1997. The group meets bi-monthly in different venues across N.I. It is a forum for anyone who works with young people who are leaving or have left care and provides opportunities for practitioners to meet other colleagues in statutory, voluntary or community organisations who support care leavers.

The Group's mission is to provide a forum for those concerned with good quality after care provision, thus enabling the effective delivery of comprehensive services to young people throughout N.I. It aims to this by identifying and highlighting gaps in current provision; promoting best practice; providing opportunities for peer support; facilitating interagency networking and co-operation; acting as a resource in relation to information sharing; taking account of the views and experiences of young people and through reviewing relevant policy.

Recent policy and practice work undertaken by the group, under the direction and guidance of Vivian McConvey, Senior Professional Advisor (above) led to the production of 'Guidelines and Safeguards of Good Practice For Financial Assistance to Care Leavers' in relation to setting up home for care leavers in NI. The document is the outcome of focused work following a regional survey of provision which identified a lack of uniformity of practice.

The document outlines key principles and processes for applying for assistance and identifies eligibility criteria. It recommends how assessment criteria should be developed and flexibly applied to suit individual care leavers needs and circumstances including their entitlement to representation and complaint procedures.

The appendices include guidance on costings and a sample application form, in a 'user friendly' format, to be completed by a young person and their leaving care worker.

The document is currently being considered for endorsement by the Assistant Directors of the four HSS Boards in N.I.

Ross McCrea