£4m Families' Fund Announced

EAGLE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR FAMILIES AND PARENTS

Announcing the package at the Parent’s Advice Centre, Belfast, Maria Eagle said:

“This money has the potential to make a real difference for parents and families. It will be spent on a range of parents initiatives, including increased provision of classes on positive parenting and anger management to support parents, enhanced provision of family mediation services, a new regional helpline and information service for parents and development and expansion of Child Contact Centres”.

The Minister also announced that the package included £1 million funding for families affected by parental substance misuse and those experiencing domestic violence. It will fund the development of a network of services for vulnerable young people and their families to keep them connected to mainstream services.

The Minister referred to strengthening front line services for vulnerable families by developing and promoting the wider use of Family Group Conferencing and by introducing therapeutic family support workers to help families to help themselves.

The Minister also launched a new Family and Parenting Strategy, consultation document for Northern Ireland, entitled “Families Matter”.

The £4million parenting funding package announced by the Minister for Children and Young People will be allocated as follows:

• £1.4 million in support of the initiatives included within the family and parenting strategy itself (see below);
• £1 million for a Youth and Parent Support Programme targeted at children at risk of coming into conflict with the law;
• £1 million targeted at strengthening front line services for vulnerable families through family group conferencing and family therapeutic workers;
• £370,000 for support services for families affected by parental substance abuse; and
• £200,000 towards services for children affected by domestic violence.

The additional monies will assist with the delivery of key actions proposed within the Family and Parenting Strategy and is in keeping with the aims of the 10-year Strategy for Children and Young People and the Anti-poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy.

The 8-week consultation period will end 30 March 2007.

Copies of the Family and Parenting Strategy may be obtained by telephoning 028 9052 0528; faxing 028 9052 0529; text phoning 028 9052 7668; writing to the address below; or, e-mailing familypolicyunit@dhsspsni.gov.uk. It is also available on the DHSSPS website: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

Family Policy Unit, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Room C4.22, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3SQ