Barnardo’s NI welcomes the opportunity to provide our response to the draft Programme for Government, 2024-2027. Our comments are informed by our work with the diverse communities of children and families that we support through our 45+ services in Northern Ireland. It is essential that the Programme for Government speaks to, and meet the needs of, the wide range of experiences of children and families in Northern Ireland. We have used our breadth and depth of service experience to inform our comments and recommendations.
Barnardo’s NI has also endorsed submissions by the Reimagine Children’s Collective and the Anti-Poverty Strategy Co-Design Group, and that feedback is also reflected throughout this submission.
Our response will provide feedback on the commitments contained within the draft Programme for Government. We set out a key omission in the draft document, which must be addressed, as well as looking at Priorities where Barnardo’s NI has experience and expertise to share from our service delivery. We note strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the document and make recommendations throughout as to how the final Programme for Government should reflect this feedback.