Bobf implementation plan

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN for the first phase (2014-2017) of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 Delivering on commitments for children and young people through effective crossGovernment and interagency coordination and collaboration DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFFAIRS 2015

Copyright Š Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, 2015 Department of Children and Youth Affairs 43-49 Mespil Road Dublin 4 Tel: +353 (0)1 647 3000 Fax: +353 (0)1 667 0826 E-mail: policyinnovation@dcya.gov.ie Web: www.dcya.ie Published by Government Publications, Dublin

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the copyright holder.

For rights of translation or reproduction, applications should be made to the Head of Communications, Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 43-49 Mespil Road, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Contents PART 1: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ................................................................................................. 1 1. Background and purpose........................................................................................................ 1 2. Overview of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures ...................................................................... 1 2.1 Content of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures ................................................................... 2 2.2 Key messages of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures .......................................................... 4 3. Approach to implementation ................................................................................................. 5 4. Learning from whole-of-government approaches ................................................................... 6 5. Commitments and priorities ................................................................................................... 6 5.1 Commitments ...................................................................................................................... 6 5.2 Roles of Lead departments and partners ............................................................................ 7 5.3 Actioning commitments ...................................................................................................... 7 5.4 Cross-sectoral priorities....................................................................................................... 7 6. Implementation structures and groupings .............................................................................. 7 6.1 Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium ................................................................ 8 6.2 Sponsors Group ................................................................................................................... 9 6.3 Advisory Council ................................................................................................................16 6.4 Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group ..................18 6.5 Comhairle na nÓg National Executive ...............................................................................18 6.6 EU Structured Dialogue Working Group ...........................................................................18 6.7 Implementation Team .......................................................................................................18 7. Monitoring and reporting ..................................................................................................... 20 7.1 Reporting on progress against commitments ...................................................................20 7.2 Reporting on national outcomes .......................................................................................20 8. Implementation Schedule, 2014 – 2015 ................................................................................ 21 PART 2: REALISING THE COMMITMENTS ..................................................................................... 22 1. 3-year Implementation Plan to 2017..................................................................................... 22 2. Reporting template ............................................................................................................ 125

PART 1: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 1. Background and purpose Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 is the first overarching national policy framework that spans the age range of 0-24 years and therefore unifies the policy domains of children and youth. Since one-third of the Irish population fall within this category, almost all policy areas have a direct or indirect effect on children and young people.

The purpose of this Implementation Plan is to coordinate and structure the effective implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures to achieve better outcomes for children and young people.

This Implementation Plan is intended to be concise and high level. It outlines the approach to implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures with specific regard to the first phase of implementation, covering the period 2014-2017. Specifically: (1) it outlines the aim, ambition and approach that will guide the implementation process; (2) it provides an overview of the structures in place supporting implementation and the processes through which these structures will work and interact; (3) it describes the monitoring and reporting process for implementation of the framework including reporting on key indicators across the five outcomes; (4) it provides an overview of the range of actions that have been put in place by respective Leads and partners to progress the range of 163 commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

2. Overview of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures sets out and centralises common outcomes, captures the policy commitments, prioritises key transformational goals necessitating action and ensures an innovative and effective way of working to accomplish these actions and realise the outcomes for children and young people.

This policy framework draws together Government policy in relation to children and young people, and aligns it towards shared outcomes. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures aims to close the gap between what we are currently achieving for our children and young people, and what we aspire to achieve. It does this through identifying the approaches, principles and the necessary transformational goals that will allow us to deliver on these aspirations.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is both a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society framework, in that its application and implementation will be supported by the settings and sectors that work with and for children and young people. Effectively, this means that implementation will require a collaborative effort to ensure that all involved centralise and progress the key outcomes for children and young people.

The aim of the national framework is to move policy development and service delivery beyond the present scenario – where children and young people are viewed primarily within narrow organisational and sectoral responsibilities, to a situation where there is a wide-angled appreciation and application of effective responses for children and young people based on the principle of progressive universalism. This will lead to greater coordination, coherence and continuity in policies and provision of services.

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The national policy framework, spanning the 7-year period of 2014-2020, will accommodate a number of constituent, follow-on strategies focusing on the areas of Participation, Early Years, and Youth. These strategies are currently being developed.

2.1 Content of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures The national policy framework presents five national outcomes and draws out, via transformational goals, areas that require attention, and which, if strengthened, can enable better outcomes through bridging effective policy with effective provision (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: The 5 national outcomes and the 6 transformational goals to achieve them

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures sets out a framework that:  establishes a shared set of outcomes (see Figure 2) for children and young people to which all Government departments and agencies, statutory services and the voluntary and community sectors work to ensure a coherent response for children and young people;  identifies the range of commitments in place across Government and progresses these based on a structured, systematic and outcomes-focused approach;  prioritises the key cross-cutting transformational goals under each outcome area, which require concerted and coordinated action to ensure the realisation of the respective outcomes;  emphasises an integrated and evidence-informed approach to working across Government, on horizontal and vertical levels – an approach that is child-centred, benefits from 2

interagency and multidisciplinary working, and which transfers to all sectors and settings working with children and young people.

Figure 2: The National Outcomes Framework, with 5 national outcomes and constituent aims for each

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2.2 Key messages of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures The implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures will be driven and supported through a number of key messages. These are: 

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is the first overarching national policy framework that addresses the needs of children and young people across the age range of 0-24 years.

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Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures puts the everyday lives of children and young people at its centre and demands that Government departments, State agencies and non-governmental organisations work together in a new and integrated way to achieve better outcomes for children and young people.

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Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures identifies five national outcomes for all children and young people, reflecting the core needs and aspirations of all children and young people.

These outcomes cover physical and mental health, learning and development, safety and protection, economic security and opportunity, and ensuring that children and young people are connected, respected and contributing to their world.

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Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures captures policy commitments and identifies key transformational goals necessitating action, which will drive and support the work.

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Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures represents a whole-of-government approach, will run from 2014 until 2020 and will accommodate a number of constituent strategies: Youth, Early Years and Participation.

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Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is built on interagency collaboration. A range of groups has been established to guide and support Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, including a Consortium, Advisory Council and the Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group.

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The implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is also supported by the direct involvement of children and young people. Children and young people from the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive and young people from the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group will have engagement with the Policy Consortium.

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Effective implementation will be checked against a monitoring and reporting process for implementation of the framework, including reporting on key indicators across the five national outcomes. Lead departments, agencies and partners will also provide a schedule of actions on their respective commitments for 2014-2016 and describe their desired achievement for 2017, for a mid-term review of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

These key messages will serve to contextualise the work of relevant stakeholders within the framework in a clear and concise manner, describing in accessible terms the structure of the framework and its commitment to achieving better outcomes for children and young people.

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3. Approach to implementation Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is a framework for all of Government and all of society. A central enabler for implementation of the framework is greater collaboration and coordination across Government, across sectors and between agencies. This approach runs horizontally (across people, infrastructure, evidence and data analysis, and funding and finance) as well as vertically (from national to local level). A significant challenge in improving outcomes for children and young people is to harmonise policy, enable better transfer of policy into practice, and ensure that better practice is informed by evidence.

Taking such a ‘whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach will unify agendas and actions in and across Government departments, agencies and sectors working with and for children and young people. This will ensure a concerted and coordinated approach.

Working in this way supports the Government’s overall reform agenda for public services and publicly funded services. The Public Service Reform Plan, 2014-2016 and the Civil Service Renewal Initiative are key drivers of the overall Government reform programme and implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures will contribute to and enhance this wider reform programme.

The need for enhanced and effective coordination and collaboration has been recognised at a local county level with the investment by services and agencies in Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC). These structures are tasked with key responsibilities in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and will be further developed as the crucial local infrastructure for interagency working for children and young people.

It is clear, therefore, that the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures involves implementing a significant change programme, the introduction and implementation of which requires:  connecting infrastructure, organisations and systems across Government departments, agencies and sectors;  recognition of a common purpose, shared agenda and clear work programme to progress commitments and priorities;  cultivating leadership in and across systems and sectors;  promotion information-sharing, evidence and data analysis;  ensuring quality and outcomes-focused provision;  leveraging available resources effectively towards what works and targeting identified need.

The development of this Implementation Plan for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is informed by current thinking in the areas of implementation science and effective whole-of-government working.

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4. Learning from whole-of-government approaches A recent review of whole-of-government approaches in Ireland and internationally was conducted by the Centre for Effective Services (2014). Findings point to certain key ingredients which are necessary for the success of whole-of-government initiatives. In particular, success depends on clear objectives, political commitment, viable joined-up government structures, developing strong cultures of collaboration and incentivising collaboration.

Salient issues highlighted in this review include:  A high level of leadership at political and administrative levels was seen as essential for whole-of-government work, with both Ministers and senior public servants being committed to the approach.  Essential to the approach is the ability to work across boundaries, to build strategic alliances and relationships, to negotiate, to manage complexity and to recognise interdependence.  Among the most relevant work processes are clear and sometimes restructured lines of accountability, budgetary parameters and roles, risk management systems, performance management systems that reward whole-of-government work and whole-of-government reporting arrangements.  Capacity development initiatives aid whole-of-government work and can include building repositories of shared lessons and experiences, practice guidelines, joint training and networking initiatives, and access to learning and development supports.

This Implementation Plan for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures seeks to have regard to the issues outlined above and to set out a plan to structure, guide and enable effective implementation throughout the process. To effectuate this, a robust implementation infrastructure has been developed to ensure that key groupings are actively involved in providing leadership and delivering on the changes required to make real progress on some of the more intractable problems that impede development in achieving outcomes for children and young people. Such an approach aims to provide an enabling process through which business is progressed efficiently and effectively.

5. Commitments and priorities 5.1 Commitments Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures has 163 commitments from across 11 Lead departments and agencies. The commitments themselves are diverse and wide-ranging. The majority (75%) are current Government policy, while a number (25%) are new policy commitments. Some are very specific and readily actionable. Others will evolve over time. Several of the commitments are high-level and will require further development through a strategic and concerted focus.

It is not the intention or purpose of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures to assign new streams of work to Government departments or agencies. Rather, it aims to bring together areas that are already designated as key commitments and identify where departments and agencies will need to work together to deliver such commitments comprehensively. As a result, delivery of many of the commitments outlined in this document will be capable of being realised by programmes of work already underway. Therefore, it is important that these achievements are captured and capitalised on through an outcomes-focused approach.

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5.2 Roles of Lead departments and partners To support coherent progression toward these outcomes, the majority of commitments each have an assigned ‘Lead’ department or agency and several partners. The Lead is the policy-holder. The partners are the other stakeholders who will contribute/support to varying degrees the achievement of the commitment.

Each Lead will be responsible for progressing and achieving their assigned commitment. Leads will also have responsibility for reporting on their commitment. Each Lead department will liaise with relevant partners, where necessary, to work toward the achievement of the commitments. This level of interaction will depend on the complexity or magnitude of the commitment. This may involve strategic and/or operational collaboration, coordination in aligning work plans and reporting structures, or merely exchanging information. Irrespective of the level of interaction, it is important that proportionate input and effort commensurate with the commitment is made by all.

5.3 Actioning commitments An initial task embarked upon in the development of this Implementation Plan was to request each Lead department/agency to examine their commitments and to chart the actions associated with these commitments for the period 2014-2017, setting out how they will deliver on each commitment under the following headings: Commitment

Lead and Partners

What are the key actions in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point of framework)

The implementation table as completed by the Leads was then circulated to partner departments and agencies to provide an opportunity for them to include how their department/agency will support the Lead. As outlined above, each Lead will be asked to report annually on their commitments, with comments from partners where relevant. The DCYA Implementation Team will draft an annual progress report based on the returns provided by the Leads and partners, and this will be circulated to the Sponsors Group and ultimately the Consortium (see Section 6 below).

5.4 Cross-sectoral priorities The majority of the 163 commitments will be progressed through the normal programmes of work of departments and agencies. However, there are a number of significant issues which can be viewed as requiring concerted effort or delivering high impact, and these will therefore be identified as cross-sectoral priorities. The identification of priorities focuses the work of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, providing a clear agenda and mandate for action, and represent an annual programme of work, in addition to the implementation of the framework.

6. Implementation structures and groupings A key focus of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is on effective implementation to ensure accountability, drive implementation and provide a forum for stakeholder engagement. This is addressed through the establishment of an efficient and effective infrastructure that is outcomesfocused, while having appropriate regard for establishing enabling processes for engagement. These structures consolidate many of the existing consultative bodies and interdepartmental processes within the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) into the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium, the Sponsors mechanisms and the Advisory Council. Allied to this is a greater alignment and redevelopment of the existing groupings: the Children and Young People’s Services 7

Committees National Steering Group, the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive and the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group.

This new implementation infrastructure (see Figure 3) brings together, in a concerted and strategic manner, the key players across Government, the voluntary sector and the voices of children and young people. The establishment and interaction of both the new and existing groupings will optimise the effective implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

Figure 3: Implementation and accountability structures of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures

6.1 Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium The Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium represents the keystone in the implementation infrastructure for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. The Consortium comprises high-level representation from Government departments and agencies, and key experts and representatives from a range of sectors and settings working with children and young people. This infrastructure includes the Advisory Council, Comhairle na nÓg, EU Structured Dialogue Working Group and the Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group.

The Consortium is chaired by the Secretary General of the DCYA and a Deputy Chair from the Department of the Taoiseach.

Members of the Consortium are tasked with overseeing and driving the effective implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures within their respective spheres of responsibility, across departments, agencies and sectors.

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    

The Consortium’s terms of reference are to: ensure oversight of implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and its constituent strategies; drive implementation, both horizontally (across Government) and vertically (within the ambits of respective departments, agencies and sectors); provide institutional and sectoral leadership in implementation; provide an enabling forum in which to drive implementation, address challenges in a solution-focused manner and have structured engagement with the children and young people’s participatory structures; report to Government on an annual basis on the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

It is envisaged that the Consortium will meet at least twice a year, and more often if required. It will oversee implementation, establish priorities, address intractable issues and inform the work programmes of the constituent groups. It will provide a forum for examining progress on the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. In addition, the Consortium will review and approve the Annual Progress Report for submission to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy (see Section 7.1).

6.2 Sponsors Group The Sponsors Group is a strategic group sitting underneath the Consortium (see Figure 3). It is comprised of six sponsors – one sponsor for each of the five key departments that are the primary Lead departments in relation to the five national outcomes of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, plus one sponsor for the transformational goals. Members of the Sponsors Group also sit on the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium (see above). Each sponsor has been assigned an ‘outcome’ area, as presented below:

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The function of the Sponsors Group is to take a whole-of-government perspective on the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. The group will marshal and manage progress in terms of implementation within their outcome area at a macro level, while recognising that many other departments and agencies contribute to these outcomes and goals.

The Sponsors Group has an integral role in ensuring the realisation and success of the vision underpinning Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures through active collaboration. The success of the framework requires strong links and good working relationships across the departments represented by the Sponsors Group.

Bringing together key departments via the Sponsors Group creates a forum for the development of a shared agenda, providing an opportunity to identify synergies and areas for collaboration and ensuring that:  commitments are progressed and priorities identified;  communication is facilitated between departments, allowing for the sharing of best practices and the leveraging of shared solutions;  common barriers to successful implementation are identified and addressed.

It is the Sponsors Group’s role to identify and address barriers to the fulfilment of the commitments.

It is not the role of the group to lead or initiate action on commitments, outside of their own commitments as Lead, but rather to have an overview of progress in their outcome area, so that they can stimulate the advancement of actions and create a ‘trouble-shooting’ space to promote resolution of difficulties. This approach will enable each Sponsor to identify priority areas that most closely align with their own strategic plans, as well as areas that may require additional attention.

While the Sponsors Group will operate as one group, it will be open to individual Sponsors in the Sponsors Group, where required or desired, to establish a subgroup of departments, agencies and organisations involved in the delivery of commitments within the outcome area, so as to address and progress issues specific to that outcome or goal area.

The Sponsors Group will be guided by the terms of reference of the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium. Sponsors will inform the setting of the agenda for the meetings of the Consortium and will also act as a clearing house for issues in advance of and subsequent to Consortium meetings. The Sponsors as a group may also identify any intractable issues that need to be addressed and bring them to the attention of the Consortium.

As the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is embedded, Sponsors will speak to the progress being made under their particular outcome area at Consortium level.

Identification of cross-sectoral priorities Sponsors will also have responsibility for identifying priority commitments. Such cross-sectoral commitments have been identified by the Sponsors Group on a range of levels. For example:  an area where the commitment requires multilateral action and addresses an intractable problem (e.g. child poverty, obesity);  an area through which collective and coordinated input would optimise outcomes (e.g. rebalancing resources to prevention and earlier intervention);  an area that identifies a thematic approach comprising a cluster of commitments to ensure a more strategic and efficient response to delivery of key themes (e.g. workforce development of sectors/professions working with children and young people).

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The initial priority commitments identified by the Sponsors Group are listed below.

Each of these priorities will be significant and the focus of the initial phase of implementation. These cross-sectoral priorities will also inform the work programmes of the various groupings within the implementation infrastructure so that attention and effort is focused on shared priorities that require multilateral action.

The Sponsors have developed these cross-sectoral priorities into a logic model format, and these were presented to the Advisory Council for substantive observations. These logic models identify the commitment, the related commitments, key partners and inputs, as well as illustrating a draft outline of the actions, processes, policies, outputs and outcomes which will be utilised in the delivery of these commitments, and maps them out in the context of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

Development of these logic models aim to ensure that significant and/or intractable issues are identified which require multilateral action and which would also catalyse a range of related existing commitments and strengthen momentum in terms of implementation. Their development also enlivens the actualisation of the of many of the commitments while identifying key thematic areas which, while covering a range of themes in terms of structures, policy and provision, can each scaffold a strategic approach which adds value to the implementation process annually.

The Department of Health, Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Department of Social Protection and Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s logic models are presented below (figures 4-7) as an illustration of how the logic modelling process achieves these goals. A further logic model on the inclusion of children with additional needs in early years education is in development, via collaboration between the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills.

From 2016 onwards, the Advisory Council will actively engage with the cross-governmental Sponsors Group to inform the identification of priorities, which will need to be staggered strategically. At the same time, Sponsors will be cognisant of on the weight placed on all the named priorities as they work to action the commitments. It is also envisaged that the Advisory Council will assist Sponsors in identifying linkages and synergies between the priorities, while having due regard to the broad sweep of targeted and universal provision, to situate and harness the contribution of civil society in the achievement of these outcomes.

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Department of Health: 2015 Cross-sectoral Priority – GETTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE MORE ACTIVE (Implementation of National Physical Activity Plan) Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is the Government’s overarching National Policy Framework for children and young people (aged 0-24 years). This cross-government approach will run from 2014 until 2020 and accommodate a number of constituent strategies. The Framework sets out common outcomes, policy commitments and key actions to ensure innovative and effective ways of working. The underpinning principles will ensure that policy and practice protect the rights of children and young people, are family-oriented, promote equality and are evidence-informed and outcomes-focused. The vision is to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to grow up and raise a family, and where the rights of all children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled; where their voices are heard and where they are supported to realise their maximum potential now and in the future.

Description of cross-sectoral priority Getting children and young people more active through completing, communicating and beginning implementation of the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP).

This 2015 priority:  Brings together key Healthy Ireland and Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures concepts of shifting emphasis to prevention and early intervention.  Reflects empowering and supporting parents, families and communities to look after their own health and wellbeing.

Action area in NPAP on children and young people includes:  Full implementation of schools’ PE Programme.  Encouraging/expanding Active Schools Flag Initiative.

Inputs

2015 Activities/Outputs

Short/Medium-term Outcomes (2017)

 Healthy Ireland governance structures and processes, including Healthy Ireland Council  Cross-sectoral NPAP Implementation Oversight Group  NPAP Communications Network of partners and websites  Active Schools Flag Initiative  Local Authority Play and Recreation Network  Local/community partnerships and groups involved in physical activity  LCDC and CYPCSC local structures and plans  Interdepartmental activity  Human and financial resources

Specific activities in 2015 will include:  Publication and launch of NPAP.  NPAP Communication Plan, websites/ public resources.  Development of NPAP public awareness campaign.  Begin development of national guidelines for physical activity for 0-5 years.  Work with partners to ensure physically active play is integral component in Early Childhood Education settings.  Implementation of PE curriculum in line with DES guidelines.  Commence development of a programme of professional development to meet needs of teachers in teaching the PE curriculum.  Extension of the Active Schools Flag Initiative to more schools.  Evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in PE in a sample of schools.  Work with voluntary and community groups to encourage and support more opportunities for physical activity.  LCDCs and CYPSCs supporting physical activity.

The total effort will lead to:  Improved understanding of benefits of regular physical activity.  Schools delivering a comprehensive physical education programme.  More children active more often – 1% per annum increase in the proportion of children undertaking at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.  Increase in number of children and young people participating in sport.  Healthier, more active children as measured by Growing Up in Ireland Survey, HBSC, etc.  Children and young people actively involved in the development and implementation of programmes in all settings, including schools.  More effective sharing of best practice.  Families and communities empowered to be more active.

Key Partners: DTTS, DES, DECLG, DCYA, Local Government and Youth sector; ISC, FIS, NGBs, LSPs, HSE, Schools, HEIs, Community and Voluntary groups.

Related commitments include:  Earlier intervention and prevention (G5)  Infrastructure (G51)  Evidence and data analysis (G56)  Outcome 2 (2.9, 2.10, 2.11)

Monitoring and evaluation  Annual reporting on implementation and achievement of outcomes against agreed indicators.  Reports will go to the Consortium through the Sponsors Group.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures implementation structures and supports The Consortium will oversee implementation and agree priorities. The Sponsors Group will drive implementation, address challenges and propose priorities. The Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group will drive national to local implementation. The Advisory Council will guide and support implementation. Comhairle na nÓg National Executive and the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group will guide implementation and ensure youth participation and active input.

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Department of Children and Youth Affairs: 2015 Cross-sectoral Priority – PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is the Government’s overarching National Policy Framework for children and young people (aged 0-24 years). This cross-government approach will run from 2014 until 2020 and accommodate a number of constituent strategies. The Framework sets out common outcomes, policy commitments and key actions to ensure innovative and effective ways of working. The underpinning principles will ensure that policy and practice protect the rights of children and young people, are family-oriented, promote equality and are evidence-informed and outcomes-focused. The vision is to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to grow up and raise a family, and where the rights of all children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled; where their voices are heard and where they are supported to realise their maximum potential now and in the future.

Enhancing effective prevention and early intervention to ensure better outcomes for children and young people.

This 2015 priority will: Work towards rebalancing emphasis and resources from crisis intervention towards prevention and early intervention, while ensuring an effective crisis intervention response at all times.

Related commitments include:  Interagency work and resource allocation (G47, G48, G52, G66, G67, G68 and Implementation Commitment 3)  Prevention and Early Intervention (G1, G2, G7, G5, G6, G8, G13)  Identification and assessment (G12, G24, G46)  Effective transitions (G33)  Child protection and protocols: (G40, G55, 4.1, 4.2)  Planned, accessible, integrated and effective services (G10, G22, G25, G26, G49, 1.6, 1.13 – 15, 3.20, 5.1, 5.12)  Enhance ante-natal and early childhood development (G6)  Primary Health and Health Promotion (G9, 1.1, 1.7, 1.8, 1.11, 1.12)  Reconfiguration and enhancement of disability and special needs services (G31, 2.18, 2.20)

2015 Activities/Outputs will include

Inputs

Description of cross-sectoral priority

Structures:  Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures structures  ABC Interdepartmental Project Team  ABC Areas  Local CYPSCs  Existing partner structures, e.g. Healthy Ireland Council, Social Inclusion Forum.

Programmes, initiatives and processes:  PEIP, ABC and DEIS programmes  National Early Years Quality Support Service  Tusla’s Meitheal approach and the set-up of Child and Family Support Networks  Philanthropic investment in prevention and early intervention initiatives Policy:  Existing commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures  Existing commitments in Healthy Ireland  Early Years Strategy  Youth Strategy and VfM on Youth programme  High Level Policy Statement on Supporting Parents and Families Information, research and evaluation:  Development of county-level datasets  Learning captured from evidence informed approaches and best practices in prevention and early intervention Key Partners: DH, DES, DJE, Tusla, HSE, Community and Voluntary sector, Prevention and Early Intervention Network.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures implementation structures and supports The Consortium will oversee implementation and agree priorities. The Sponsors Group will drive implementation, address challenges and propose priorities. The Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group will drive national to local implementation. The Advisory Council will guide and support implementation. Comhairle na nÓg National Executive and the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group will guide implementation and ensure youth participation and active input.

Monitoring and evaluation  Annual reporting on implementation and achievement of commitments.  Development of Outcome Indicator Set.  Consortium structure to oversee implementation.

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Structures:  Develop clear and effective connections and coordination between CYPSCs and LCDCs and constituent agencies (e.g. Tusla’s implementation of Meitheal) to ensure a focus on prevention and early intervention for children and young people.  Reconstituted CYPSC National Steering Group ensuring prevention and early intervention focus in the blueprint for development of CYPSCs and in all CYPSC plans.  ABC Interdepartmental Project Team to give preliminary consideration of findings from mainstreaming group on evidence-informed approaches in November.  Interdepartmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years Care and Education.

Programmes, initiatives and processes:  Implement quality frameworks and curricula in Early Years settings and sustained development of quality framework in youth sector.  Design and deliver ABC Mentoring Programme.  Establish mainstreaming group to examine the optimum transfer of learning in relation to evidenceinformed prevention and early intervention approaches.  Develop framework/guidance document for commissioning/securing better outcomes in the area of prevention and early intervention.

Policy:  Progress prevention and early intervention commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and Healthy Ireland and in the strategies of key partners.  Publish and implement Early Years Strategy, Youth Strategy, High Level Policy Statement on Supporting Parents and Families, National Physical Activity Plan, National Obesity Strategy, National Sexual Health Strategy.

Information, research and evaluation to ensure prevention and early intervention informed focus via:  Update and refinement of county-level data.  Develop Outcome Indicator Set.  Identify and disseminate available learning from ABC, PEII, PEIN, NEYAI and DEIS.  Publication of scoping exercise re. estimate on cross-

Short/Medium-term Outcomes (2017) Structures:  Better coordinated, coherent and connected policy and provision focusing on effective prevention and early intervention.  Enhanced interagency working through national and local infrastructures focusing on key outcomes for children and young people.

Programmes, initiatives and processes:  ABC areas will have commenced mainstreaming of prevention and early intervention approaches.  Evidence-informed approaches are identified and implemented across sectors according to desired outcomes, age range and need.  Enhanced implementation capacities and skills within sectors.  Clearly aligned mandates and work programmes focusing on effective prevention and early intervention for children and young people.

Policy:  Mainstreaming of effective programmes and practices.  Provision of effective, quality services that improve outcomes for children and young people in the 5 national outcome areas.

Information, research and evaluation:  Enhanced evidence and knowledge base informing policy and provision in Ireland.  Better informed planning and targeting of resources.  Funding aligned to the effective implementation of evidence-informed approaches.

Department of Social Protection: 2015 Cross-sectoral Priority – TACKLING CHILD POVERTY Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is the Government’s overarching National Policy Framework for children and young people (aged 0-24 years). This cross-government approach will run from 2014 until 2020 and accommodate a number of constituent strategies. The Framework sets out common outcomes, policy commitments and key actions to ensure innovative and effective ways of working. The underpinning principles will ensure that policy and practice protect the rights of children and young people, are family-oriented, promote equality and are evidence-informed and outcomes-focused. The vision is to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to grow up and raise a family, and where the rights of all children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled; where their voices are heard and where they are supported to realise their maximum potential now and in the future.

Description of cross-sectoral priority Implement a multidimensional approach to tackling child poverty, building on the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion.

This 2015 priority addresses the following objectives:  Lift 70,000 children out of consistent poverty by 2020 from 2011 baseline (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures target).  Ensure every child has access to sufficient resources, supports and services to nurture and care for the child (NAPSI).  Build a fairer Ireland by reducing inequality and improving poverty outcomes, with particular emphasis on child poverty (MTES).  Improve the effectiveness of overall expenditure on children in achieving better child poverty outcomes (G67).  Tackle low work intensity of households and address poverty risk of children (EU CSR 4).

Related commitments include:  Food poverty (1.2, 1.3)  Disadvantaged areas (G13, 2.16)  Child/family income support (G3, 4.3, 4.4)  Child/early years care (G8, 4.6)  Minorities (2.22, 4.8, 4.9)  Social impact assessment (G63)

Inputs

2015 Activities/Outputs

Short/Medium term Outcomes (2017)

 European Platform for Investing in Children  European Semester/Europe 2020  Social Inclusion Forum  Senior Officials Group on Social Policy and Public Sector Reform  ABC Programme project team  Pre-Budget Forum  Technical advisory group on poverty indicators and data  Research on child poverty (SILC and GUI)  Departmental activities  Cross-departmental Childcare Investment Group  Human and financial resources

Specific activities will include:  Monitor child poverty target and related indicators.  Finalise implementation plan for tacking child poverty.  Improve cross-departmental working on child poverty.  Monitor impact of reform of OPFP and activation of loneparent families.  Contribute to childcare investment plan.  Assess social impact of Budget policies on children.

The total effort will lead to:  Reduction in child poverty in line with target.  More lone parents engaged in employment or training.  Fewer jobless households with children.  Increased take-up of affordable quality childcare places.  Better social, educational and health outcomes for all children.  Greater integration of children from Traveller, Roma and migrant groups.  Fewer children at-risk.

Key Partners: DF, DPER, DH, DES, DCYA, DJE, HSE, Tusla, voluntary service providers, research experts, children’s organisations, European Commission.

Monitoring and evaluation  Annual reporting on implementation and achievement of outcomes against agreed indicators  Reports will go to the Consortium through the Sponsors Group

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures implementation structures and supports The Consortium will oversee implementation and agree priorities. The Sponsors Group will drive implementation, address challenges and propose priorities. The Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group will drive national to local implementation. The Advisory Council will guide and support implementation. Comhairle na nÓg National Executive and the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group will guide implementation and ensure youth participation and active input.

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Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: 2015 Cross-sectoral Priority – CROSS-GOVERNMENT AND INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is the Government’s overarching National Policy Framework for children and young people (aged 0-24 years). This cross-government approach will run from 2014 until 2020 and accommodate a number of constituent strategies. The Framework sets out common outcomes, policy commitments and key actions to ensure innovative and effective ways of working. The underpinning principles will ensure that policy and practice protect the rights of children and young people, are family-oriented, promote equality and are evidence-informed and outcomes-focused. The vision is to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to grow up and raise a family, and where the rights of all children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled; where their voices are heard and where they are supported to realise their maximum potential now and in the future.

Description of cross-sectoral priority

Inputs

2015 Activities/Outputs

The public sector will have reformed substantially, resulting in improved implementation, greater crossGovernment collaboration and coordination, increased accountability and resource efficiency (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, 2014).

 Inter-Departmental Group on Local and Community Development to oversee a whole-of-government approach to local and community development.  Public consultation by LCDCs re. development of LECPs.  Engagement between local public funded structures (including Children and Young People’s Services Committees/CYPSCs) and LCDCs re. development of LECPs.  Human and financial resources.

Specific activities will include:  LCDCs established in each Local Authority area and LECPs developed by end 2015/early 2016, following public consultation/input by key stakeholders (including CYPSCs) (Q4 2015).  LECPs may include key priorities (for delivery by relevant LCDC/ CYPSC member agencies) in regard to children and young people as identified and agreed with CYPSCs.  Local public-funded bodies’ operational plans, including Children and Young People’s Plans (CYPPs) consistent with LECP.  Capacity-building and training for LCDCs.  Parent departments/agencies support for their local structures, including CYPSCs in developing LECPs.

This 2015 priority:  Establishes new Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each county/city, to bring a more strategic, joined-up approach to local and community development through implementation of new Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs).

Key Partners: DCYA, DSP, DES, DJE, DH, DAHG, Local Government, HSE, Public Participation Networks/Community and Voluntary sector.

Related commitments include:  Local Community Development Committees (G51, G52)  Children and Young People’s Services Committees (G47, G48)

Short/Medium-term Outcomes (2017) The total effort will lead to:  Improved cross-Government/ cross-sectoral collaboration (including collaboration between LCDCs and CYPSCs on agreed priorities for children and young people) and coordination of publicly funded local and community development activity.  Increased accountability to funding Departments/Agencies.  More efficient use of resources by local delivery bodies/structures.  Improved delivery of services to the citizen, including children and young people, at local level.

Monitoring and evaluation  Annual reporting on implementation and achievement of outcomes against agreed indicators.  Reports will go to the Consortium through the Sponsors Group.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures implementation structures and supports The Consortium will oversee implementation and agree priorities. The Sponsors Group will drive implementation, address challenges and propose priorities. The Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group will drive national to local implementation. The Advisory Council will guide and support implementation. Comhairle na nÓg National Executive and the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group will guide implementation and ensure youth participation and active input.

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6.3 Advisory Council The Advisory Council harnesses expertise and experience from the community and voluntary sector, from academia and from independent experts and individuals who have specific expertise in working with and for children and young people. The Advisory Council brings together for the first time and into one forum a diverse range of interests from sectoral stakeholders in the domains of children and young people’s policy and provision. These sectors connect with and mobilise communities, families and individuals, and as such are seen as essential groups in the implementation infrastructure seeking to ensure the achievement of the five national outcomes for children and young people.

The Advisory Council provides a platform for the community and voluntary sector to engage with the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium and its constituent elements to actively inform and support the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. The Council consists of four constituent groupings (see Table 1):  The first three groups have representation drawn from the Early Years, Children and Youth voluntary sectoral pillars. Nominations are drawn from umbrella organisations representing each of these constituencies. In addition, the first three groups are supplemented by the appointment of a Ministerial nominee to each, bringing the total to four nominees per constituent grouping.  The fourth group comprises four Ministerial nominees who are key individuals with experience and expertise in themes and trends impacting on the lives of children and young people.

Table 1: Composition of Advisory Council

This approach encourages representative groups to act in a representative capacity and also ensures that greater diversity, both organisationally and thematically, and broader expertise is actively identified and involved on the Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council’s terms of references are to:  advise the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and the constituent strategies of Early Years, Youth, and Participation;  support the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures in and across the community and voluntary sector, and in wider society;  ensure that the specific expertise and perspectives from respective areas of children and young people’s services inform the work of the Council; 16

  

generate support for change among stakeholders and sectors; provide an enabling forum in which to support implementation and address challenges in a solution-focused manner; ensure that the views and voices of children and young people inform the work of the Council.

Also, as stated above, from 2016 the Advisory Council will have the opportunity to actively engage with the Sponsors Group to inform the identification of cross-sectoral priorities which, once approved by the Consortium, will form the basis of the workplan for the following year.

The Sponsors Group will then develop these into logic models, identifying key areas to progress and develop. The Advisory Council will assist in this process by offering their expertise, and by identifying areas where the community and voluntary sector can contribute to ensuring the achievement of the commitment.

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6.4 Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) (formerly known as Children’s Services Committees) arose from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs’ Working Together for Children Initiative to develop and implement a local planning model for interagency working to improve outcomes for children. CYPSC bring together a diverse group of agencies in local county areas to engage in joint planning of services for children and are firmly embedded in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures as an important vehicle for implementing the framework at local level and driving local interagency work.

The CYPSC National Steering Group represents the CYPSC at national level. It acts as a vehicle to link implementation at local level with oversight by the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium, with which it has a formal link. The National Steering Group will ensure that clear and effective connection and communication channels are in place between the national and local implementation infrastructures to ensure effective interagency working.

A blueprint for the development of CYPSC to enhance their function and remit is currently being finalised. This will include a reconstituted National Steering Group, comprising an independent Chair and representatives from key organisations such as Tusla, Child and Family Agency; the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA); the Health Service Executive (HSE); the Local Authorities; the community and voluntary sector; the education sector; the CYPSC national Coordinator and a representative from local committees.

6.5 Comhairle na nÓg National Executive The Comhairle na nÓg National Executive (formerly the Dáil na nÓg Council) is the national participation structure for young people aged 12-18. Its membership consists of 34 representatives elected by each of the Comhairle na nÓg located in each Local Authority area. It has a direct and structured engagement with the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium and advises the DCYA on progress in relation to the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. This engagement and reporting arrangement will be developed based on international best practice in involving children and young people in the decision-making process.

6.6 EU Structured Dialogue Working Group The EU Structured Dialogue Working Group provides a national participation and consultation process whereby young people aged 15-25 can feed into European youth policy. Membership of the Working Group consists of young people and youth organisations, experts on youth issues and public decision-makers. The youth representatives will have a formal link with the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium, which will ensure that the views of young people inform the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

6.7 Implementation Team The Implementation Team for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is part of the Policy Innovation Unit within the DCYA. It will project-manage reporting on implementation and coordinate and facilitate dialogue and consultation between Government departments, agencies and stakeholder groups (see Figure 8). It will also assist in identifying emerging themes and trends relating to implementation and ensure knowledge transfer across the implementation infrastructure.

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The role of the Implementation Team will be to:  coordinate activities and work relating to the implementation of the framework and its supporting strategies;  provide an analytical change-management and communications capability;  coordinate and support planning and reporting, and develop with Sponsors and Lead departments/agencies an action plan and progress reports;  support quality stakeholder engagement and communications;  ensure the effective operation of the implementation structures through central coordination and support, including drafting agendas, collating reports, providing analysis and managing meetings.

The Implementation Team will also support communication between the groupings within the infrastructure supporting Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and the Units within the Department of Children and Youth Affairs responsible for the constituent strategies. It will also communicate any observations from these groups on specific policies to other Government Departments and Agencies.

Figure 8: Structures/systems for interaction, reporting and communication

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7. Monitoring and reporting 7.1 Reporting on progress against commitments While many of the commitments within the national policy framework are current policy and thus have action plans and initiatives already in place, the full range of commitments and priorities for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures will be monitored and reported on annually. This will ensure that a clear vantage point is seen and coordinated across Government departments and agencies.

Monitoring will take place by the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium and be informed by the constituent groupings within the framework’s infrastructure. The Annual Progress Report, charting the status and progress of actions on the commitments and priorities, will be prepared by the DCYA’s Implementation Team (with input from the Advisory Council and Sponsor Departments), endorsed by the Consortium and submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy.

Progress will be monitored on the achievement of the commitments overall, with a particular focus on the priorities identified by the Sponsors Group and agreed by the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium. As outlined in Section 5.3, a baseline document has been prepared which Lead departments/agencies have populated, outlining the current status of their respective commitments and specifying one or more key actions per annum to act as an indicator of progress for each commitment. The key measure of success in the initial phase of implementation for each commitment will be whether the position aimed for by 2017 is achieved.

This approach schedules and frontloads action annually until 2017, whereupon a mid-term review of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures will take place to assess progress, examine the process and review and refresh the priorities of the national policy framework.

Reporting templates are provided in Part 2, Section 2 of this document.

7.2 Reporting on national outcomes Outcome Indicator Sets Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures commits to the development of an indicator set to track progress across the five outcomes. The development of the indicator set will be led by the DCYA and involve a two-stage process: (1) a data preparation stage, including a review of child outcome indicator sets and the development of an indicator inventory; and (2) development of a selection process that will utilise the implementation structure of the Children and Young People’s Policy Framework. The methodology will draw on that used to develop the national set of child wellbeing indicators in 2005.

It is important to note that changes in population-level indicators are not easily attributable to a particular policy, programme or initiative and do not answer questions about ‘why’ particular results were or were not achieved. However, a set of key child indicators across the five outcomes will support the tracking of change over time and (where possible) benchmarking of Ireland’s progress relative to other countries. Results will serve to highlight emerging themes and trends arising.

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8. Implementation Schedule, 2014 – 2015

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PART 2: REALISING THE COMMITMENTS 1. 3-year Implementation Plan to 2017 Commitments

G1 Develop a high-level

Lead and Partners

DCYA

policy statement on Parenting and Family Support to guide the provision of universal evidence-informed parenting supports. This should address parental and familial factors impacting on parenting capacity and family functioning (e.g. mental health and substance abuse) and identify responses required for ‘at risk’ children, families and communities.

G2 Ensure planning and coordination of parenting supports at local level through Children’s Services Committees [since renamed Children and Young People’s Services

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Draft and publish the highlevel policy statement.

Monitor Tusla implementation of the policy.

Monitor Tusla implementation of the policy.

Performance management.

Annual Performance Statement and performance will reflect priority of this area.

Policy, fully reflected in Tusla and partner agencies’ service approach and operations, results in improved services to children and families.

Develop improved performance indicators.

Annual Performance Statement and performance will reflect priority of this area.

Improved metrics on family support activities and impacts, improving trend data.

Continued implementation of Tusla National Service Delivery Framework.

Continued implementation of Tusla National Service Delivery Framework.

Tusla, DCYA, DJE, HSE, Local Gov

Tusla representation on all Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs).

CYPSCs to outline the current continuum of parenting support services in place in their

All CYPSCs to conduct needs analysis as per commissioning cycle and to identify key priorities.

Blueprint for development of CYPSC developed by DCYA and will inform all

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CYPSCs to lead out on the planning and coordination of parenting supports in their area and to produce local commissioning plans as per CYPSC Toolkit and Commissioning Guide.

Local commissioning plans produced by CYPSCs, identifying the continuum of evidenceinformed parenting supports in place and re-configuration and service development options.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

Committees].

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

areas.

actions for CYPSC relating to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

Draft blueprint for development of CYPSC by DCYA and will inform all actions for CYPSC relating to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

G3 Continue to support

policy in relation to maternity and parental leave with a view to giving consideration to the introduction of paid paternity leave.

G5 Work towards a rebalancing of resources to place a greater emphasis on prevention and earlier intervention.

2016

2017

DSP

Government will continue to support parents financially through the provision of Child Benefit as resources allow and in the context of budgetary decisions.

As per 2014

As per 2014

Continued provision of Child Benefit.

DJE DCYA, DJEI, DPER

Complete consultation process on options and seek Government approval for preferred approach by end-2014.

Actions in 2015 and 2016 will depend on Government decision.

Actions in 2015 and 2016 will depend on Government decision.

Introduction of paid paternity leave.

DCYA, DH DES, DJE, Tusla, HSE

Ongoing implementation of Healthy Ireland, the Framework for Health and Wellbeing in Ireland, which is underpinned by the promotion of a wholeof-government approach to address the broad

Ongoing implementation of Healthy Ireland and identification of areas of collaboration with national and local government, the community and voluntary sector, the business community and individuals

Build on progress of 2015.

Targeted youth programme rolled out.

Incremental re-alignment of resources as informed by evidence-based practice gained from 2014-2015.

Implementation of the ABC Programme and active development of CYPSCs and

Targeted youth programmes meeting needs of young people and improving outcomes in their

parents financially with the costs of rearing children through the provision of Child Benefit.

G4 Evaluate current

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

social determinants and predictors of health and wellbeing.

in order to achieve the goals of the framework.

related learning in this area to inform rebalancing of resources.

lives.

Revised model for child health screening and

Should include final implementation of available

Draft cross sectoral priority logic model Draft prevention and early intervention cross-sectoral priority logic model, to include: - Consider findings and recommendations of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes (2014) in redevelopment of funding programme for targeted youth services to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

Implement prevention and early intervention cross sectoral logic model.

Targeted youth programme developed and piloted.

Implementation of the ABC Programme and active development of CYPSCs and related learning in this area to inform rebalancing of resources.

- Implementation of the Area-Based Childhood (ABC) Programme and active development of CYPSCs and related learning in this area to inform rebalancing of resources.

G6 The HSE and Tusla, Child and Family

HSE DCYA, DH, Tusla

Establish Child Public Health Group in Health

Revised model for child health screening and

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

Agency, will explore the provision of an enhanced maternal ante-natal and early childhood development service, building on the review of the Community Nursing Services and related developments in family support provision (including home visiting), incorporating the learning from the Growing Up In Ireland study and the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme.

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

2017

and Welfare Group to prepare a Child Health Review Report that reviews evidence for and implementation of the recommendations of Best Health for Children 2005 and a review of demographic and policy context for child health service provision.

surveillance agreed.

surveillance agreed.

Develop a framework for implementation of the model agreed.

Develop a framework for implementation of the model agreed.

recommendations from relevant reports on the delivery of a service in Commitment G6 that is population-led within the nursing and midwifery resources.

Key priority areas identified and implemented.

Key priority areas identified and implemented.

Revised model for child health screening and surveillance agreed.

Monitor implementation as per agreed outcomes.

Develop a framework for implementation of the model agreed.

Establish cross-divisional Steering Group for the implementation of revised model of child health.

Steering Group reviews Child Health Review Report.

Monitor implementation as per agreed outcomes.

Continue to work with Centre for Effective Services/Katherine Howard Foundation and The Atlantic Philanthropies to implement project targeted at 0-2 year-olds.

Continue to work with Centre for Effective Services/Katherine Howard Foundation and The Atlantic Philanthropies to implement project targeted at 0-2 year-olds.

commission both universal and targeted evidence-informed parenting supports and ensure early identification of ‘at risk’

Tusla

Develop training in commissioning, utilising the National Commissioning Guide.

Develop an Agency strategy on commissioning and deliver training on commissioning.

Put in place senior managers for Prevention,

Implement Meitheal and Child & Family Support

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Key priority areas identified and implemented.

Monitor implementation as per agreed outcomes.

Continue to work with Centre for Effective Services/Katherine Howard Foundation and The Atlantic Philanthropies to implement project targeted at 0-2 year-olds.

Steering Group makes recommendations on revised child health model.

G7 Provide and

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

Implement Agency strategy on commissioning in each of the 17 areas.

Implement Meitheal and evaluate outcomes.

National Commissioning Strategy implemented and local commissioning plans produced, identifying the continuum of evidence-informed parenting supports in place and re-configuration and service

Commitments

Lead and Partners

children and families to strengthen families and reduce the incidences of children coming into, and remaining in, care.

G8 Continue to increase investment in high-quality Early Years care and education for all children, prioritising families on low incomes.

Introduce a second free pre-school year within the lifetime of this Framework, once the required quality standards are achieved and subject to resources becoming available.

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Partnership & Family Support in 17 areas.

Networks in 17 management areas.

Establish national Early Years quality service, development of National Practice Guide, development of Phase 1 of ICT infrastructure, Inspectorate commence use of National Quality Standards, continue to support free pre-school year and targeted childcare schemes.

Example of Partner support (DES): Continue to support the Early Start Pre-School Programme, which targets children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and

2017 development options.

Meitheal fully implemented across the country, resulting in early identification of children and families at risk and early help-provision through organised networks of support and nationally standardised approaches to identification of need.

Provide training of trainers in Meitheal (partnership delivery model) and cascade training to key staff and partners.

DCYA DSP, DES, Tusla

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

Early Years quality support service operational, start to align support provided by other organisations, Phase 2 of ICT infrastructure scoped.

Example of Partner support (DES): Progress made on implementing the recommendations of the Focused Policy Review of Early Start.

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Monitor and review based on progress.

Example of Partner support (DES): As per 2015

80% of Early Years services assessed as meeting quality standards satisfactorily.

Example of Partner support (DES): All recommendations from Focused Policy Review of Early Start to be implemented.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Phased introduction of universal GP service according to priorities outlined by Government in July 2014, which include extension to 6-11 year-old cohort and then to 12-17 year-old cohort.

Phased introduction of universal GP service according to priorities outlined by Government in July 2014, which include extension to 6-11 year-old cohort and then to 12-17 year-old cohort.

Universal GP service for children in place.

Commission new data management system.

Young people have access to quality-assured services that are outcomes-focused and increasingly evidence-based to promote their learning development.

implement the recommendations in the Focused Policy Review of Early Start, which was published in June 2014.

G9 Introduce universal GP services and continue to roll out Primary Healthcare Teams, to promote early diagnosis and treatment of ill-health.

DH HSE

Introduce a universal GP service for all children aged under 6.

(The Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014 was enacted at the end of July 2014.)

Primary Care Teams rolled out across the country.

Develop GP contract to facilitate roll-out of universal GP care and promote roll-out of Primary Care Teams.

G10 Support quality youth work, both as a protective factor contributing to the young person’s overall development and in reaching out to young people at risk of crime or anti-social behavior.

DCYA

Continued financial support for youth work informed by development of a Youth Strategy and having regard to the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes (published 2014).

Commence consultation process on National Youth

Change programme commenced in line with Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes and Youth Strategy.

Pilot and evaluate reformed model of support.

Produce the National

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Commence roll-out of reformed targeted programme of support and new performance monitoring arrangements.

Implementation of National Youth Strategy

Young people who are vulnerable have access to quality programmes and services that are designed to meet their needs, including outreach programmes.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Strategy.

Youth Strategy.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 Implementation of National Youth Strategy

Develop the National Youth Strategy.

Negotiate Service Level Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with stakeholders.

G11 Training and up-skilling of professionals across formal and non-formal educational settings to be in a position to identify potential child welfare and mental health issues, and to provide preventative and early intervention support.

DCYA DES, DH, Tusla, HSE

Sectoral approach considered to address child welfare and protection issues by ensuring high-quality training and supports are in place for staff and policy development within organisations.

Sectoral approach developed to address child welfare and protection issues by ensuring highquality training and supports are in place for staff and policy development within organisations.

Sectoral approach implemented to address child welfare and protection issues by ensuring highquality training and supports are in place for staff and policy development within organisations.

Continue to support the National Youth Health Programme.

Continue to support the National Youth Health Programme.

Continue to support the National Youth Health Programme.

Example of Partner support (DES): Publish guidelines for primary schools on promoting wellbeing and mental health (to complement Wellbeing in Post-Primary Schools:

Example of Partner support (DES): Promote the use of the Wellbeing in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines in primary schools.

Monitor the number of

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Sectors have appropriately effective policies in place, with trained staff equipped to address child welfare and protection issues.

Example of Partner support (DES): Increased awareness of and promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing in primary and post-primary schools.

Increase in the number of schools participating in the 'Health Promoting Schools' initiative.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, published jointly by DES, DH and HSE in 2013).

schools participating in the 'Health Promoting Schools' initiative through the 2015 Lifeskills Survey.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Measures in place to identify and address key risk factors and appropriate action taken.

Increase the number of schools participating in the 'Health Promoting Schools' initiative, which is supported by DH.

G12 Profile key risk factors for poor outcomes for children and young people, and develop practice tools to assist professionals in identifying and – working with families – mitigating these risks.

DCYA DES, DH, Tusla, HSE

Review of performance indicators (PIs) reported and development of new PIs for 2015.

Review of performance indicators (PIs) reported and development of new PIs for 2016.

Review of performance indicators (PIs) reported and development of new PIs for 2017.

Identify issues from reports from inspections of services, National Review Panel and individual cases for policy/operational response.

Identify issues for policy/operational response from reports.

Identify issues for policy/operational response from reports.

Liaise with Policy Unit in DCYA/Tusla as appropriate.

Liaise with Policy Unit in DCYA/Tusla as appropriate.

Identify key risks for children and young adults entering the Criminal Justice system.

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in identifying the health and wellbeing-related indicators and targets developed by key groups in Ireland.

Liaise with Policy Unit in DCYA/Tusla as appropriate.

Children Detention Schools’ participation in working group

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in

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Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in identifying the health and wellbeing-related indicators and targets developed by key groups in Ireland.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

Example of Partner support (DH): Establishment of a crosssectoral working group by the Health and Wellbeing Programme to develop an Outcomes Framework to provide evidence to support an objective assessment of the impacts of Healthy Ireland and to help partners in wider Government and society prioritise their actions towards improving health and wellbeing across all aspect of society.

identifying the health and wellbeing-related indicators and targets developed by key groups in Ireland.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Continued effective implementation of programme and initial phase of evaluation findings produced

Learning derived from implementation of programme to support transfer and mainstreaming of learning.

Review of measurements of PIs within Public Health Nursing Review.

Review of measurements of PIs within Public Health Nursing Review.

G13 Implement the Area-Based Childhood (ABC) Programme to address the impact of child poverty and improve child outcomes in 10 or more areas of disadvantage and mainstream the learning from the programme to services throughout the

DCYA DES, DH, LCDC

Support and guidance for new sites to transition from pre-operational to operational phase.

Example of Partner support (DH): Provide health-related input, as required, to the ABC Programme.

All sites operational and evaluation commenced to capture the learning.

Example of Partner support (DH): Provide health-related input, as required, to the ABC Programme.

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Example of Partner support (DH): Provide health-related input, as required, to the ABC Programme.

Example of Partner support (DH): Provide health-related input, as required, to the ABC Programme.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Finalise Participation Strategy.

Publish Participation Strategy.

Undertake an audit of practice

Consultation with young people on development of National Youth Strategy through ongoing engagement with EU Structured Dialogue process.

Establish Children’s Participation Hub.

The Participation Strategy will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

Children and young people recognised as stakeholders by Government departments and agencies.

country.

G14 Consult with children and young people on policies and issues that affect their lives.

DCYA All

The Participation Strategy will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

The Participation Strategy will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

The Participation Strategy will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

G15 Develop and implement a National Policy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making to strengthen efforts to ensure children and young people are supported to express their views in all matters affecting them and to have those views given due weight, including those of ‘seldom-heard’

DCYA All

Develop and publish a National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making.

Children and young people’s participation will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

Establish a Children and Young People’s Participation Hub. Children and young people’s participation will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

31

Children and young people’s participation will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

Children and young people recognised as stakeholders by Government departments and agencies.

Children and young people’s participation will be supported by all partners as appropriate to their area.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

DH HSE

The Health and Wellbeing Programme is engaging with local government at both Departmental level and through the City and County Managers’ Association to facilitate the inclusion of health and wellbeing as a key pillar in the economic and community planning process being undertaken in the new Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in Local Authorities.

Build on progress of 2014.

Build on progress of 2015.

Build on progress of 2016.

DES DCYA

DES to encourage more primary schools and all post-primary schools to establish student councils.

DES to collate data on number of student councils in primary and postprimary schools through the 2015 Lifeskills Survey.

Results of 2015 Lifeskills Survey to be published. Any recommendations arising from the survey to be considered.

Increase the number of student councils at primary level and aim to have councils established in all post-primary schools.

Review of effectiveness of post-primary student councils.

Consider recommendations from the review of effectiveness of postprimary student councils and consider lessons that could apply to primary level.

children.

G16 Strengthen participation in decision-making for health and wellbeing at community level.

G17 Create mechanisms to provide children and young people with the opportunity to be heard in primary and postprimary schools and centres for education through student councils or other ageappropriate mechanisms.

Data from latest Lifeskills Survey (2012) indicate that 14% of primary schools and 97% of postprimary schools have established student councils.

Example of Partner

32

Measures identified and underway to strengthen the effectiveness of student councils in post-primary schools and promote the number of councils in primary schools.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Finalise work on implementation of the regulatory system.

Operation of new mechanisms of Child’s Views Experts to ascertain views of children in proceedings on parentage, guardianship, custody and access.

Operation of new mechanisms of Child’s Views Experts to ascertain views of children in proceedings on parentage, guardianship, custody and access.

support (DCYA): The DCYA will engage proactively with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals to build a stronger role for student councils in promoting the value of the student voice in schools.

G18 Create mechanisms to provide children with the opportunity to be heard in judicial proceedings affecting them, including through independent representatives where appropriate.

DJE DCYA

Work jointly with DCYA to develop regulatory system of overseeing mechanisms to facilitate the voice of the child in family law proceedings.

Use the Children and Family Relationships Bill as the vehicle for providing the mechanism for the voice of the child in private law proceedings.

Progress establishment of a new category of Child’s Views Experts who will be given the role of assessing the age and maturity of the child. Where the child is of sufficient maturity to have views on proceedings concerning parentage, guardianship, custody and access, the Child’s Views

33

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Further develop guidelines on how children should be consulted about their care.

Further develop training for staff on how to facilitate children and young people’s participation in their care planning and decisionmaking, and how this is evidenced in their work.

Children and young people in care are fully involved and actively engaged in their care planning and decision-making.

Further develop relationship between Comhairle na nÓg National Executiveand young people on the EU Structured Dialogue National Working Group and the political and policy-making process.

Further develop relationship between Local Government, Children and Young People’s Services Committees and local Comhairlí na nÓg.

Comhairlí na nÓg and young people on the EU Structured Dialogue National Working Group are engaged in informing the implementation of the National Policy Framework and with political and policy-making processes.

Experts will have the task of communicating those views to the Court. The provisions also provide for regulation of these experts.

The Bill is due to be enacted in 2015.

G19 Facilitate children and young people in care to have meaningful participation in their care planning and decision-making, including through training and support of the professionals.

G20 Ensure the views presented by children and young people in participatory forums and consultations are taken into account by the formal political and policy-making process, and that feedback to the young people is always provided in return.

Tusla DCYA

Implement the Me and My Care Plan templates nationally.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Publication of the suite of documents developed by the TACTIC group.

DCYA

Establish terms of reference for Comhairle na nÓg National Executive and EU Structured Dialogue Group.

Consultation with young people on development of National Youth Strategy through ongoing engagement with EU Structured Dialogue Process.

Ensure the development of CYPSC has regard to the voices of children and young people.

Ensure the development

34

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Children’s Participation Hub a national centre for excellence on children and young people’s participation which will:  champion and promote participation;  create resources and training materials;  conduct training;  document and disseminate learning;  establish an online children’s participation database.

Structures in place to maintain and develop the Children’s Participation Hub online, ensuring material is current, that resources are available online and that requests for information, guidance and training are responded to.

Government departments and agencies have access to the expertise to support quality participation by and consultation with children and young people.

Annual Performance Statement and reporting will reflect priority of this area.

Annual Performance Statement and reporting will reflect priority of this area.

Evidence of National Service Delivery Framework implementation, consistency in intervention thresholds and standardised intake and assessment processes in place.

of CYPSC has regard to the voices of children and young people

G21 Establish a

DCYA

Children and Young People’s Participation Hub to support Government departments and agencies in the implementation of the National Policy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making.

G22 Achieve effective child and family support services through the establishment of Tusla, Child and Family Agency and implementation of the National Service Delivery Framework for child welfare and protection services, with agreed thresholds and outcome measures.

Children’s Participation Research Advisory Group to the DCYA Children’s Participation Hub collaborating with DCYA in documenting learning from participation projects.

The development of an database of resources on children and young people’s participation in decision-making has been initiated and will be a central part of the Hub.

DCYA Tusla

Tusla, Child and Family Agency established 1st January 2014.

Performance Framework and Performance Statement reflective of priorities in this area.

Continued implementation of National Service Delivery Framework.

Ongoing monitoring of performance in respect of these areas of delivery.

35

Continued implementation of National Service Delivery Framework.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Monitor and assess operations.

Dependent on outcome of review and assessment in 2015.

Issues relating to functions identified and have plan in place for any related operational, organisational or process developments.

Implement Meitheal and evaluate outcomes.

Meitheal fully implemented across the country, resulting in early identification of children and families at risk and early provision of help through organised networks of support and nationally standardised approaches to identification of need.

National Service Delivery Framework implemented

by Tusla: intervention thresholds/standardised intake and assessment processes introduced and reviewed.

G23 Review the scope of functions of Tusla, Child and Family Agency, having regard to the recommendations of the Report of the Taskforce on the Child and Family Support Agency and experience from the Agency’s initial operations.

G24 Work towards a common assessment approach within all agencies working with children and young people, and ensure that, where necessary, assessment and decision-making regarding children coming into care are undertaken in a timely

DCYA DH, HSE, Tusla

Tusla, Child and Family Agency established and operational.

Develop such proposals for change as may be warranted by the assessment.

Tusla HSE, DES, DCYA, DH

Put in place senior managers for Prevention, Partnership & Family Support in 17 areas.

Implement Meitheal and child and family support networks in 17 management areas.

Provide training of trainers in Meitheal (partnership delivery model) and cascade training to key staff and partners.

Example of Partner support (DH): The Office of the Chief Nurse recognises Meitheal as a secondary assessment framework, but would also suggest that

Compatible with

36

Example of Partner support (DH): The Office of the Chief Nurse recognises Meitheal as a secondary assessment framework, but would also suggest that acknowledgement is offered to the use of the

Commitments

Lead and Partners

and comprehensive manner.

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Commitment G7 since Meitheal is part of the common assessment approach.

acknowledgement is offered to the use of the primary assessment framework, being implemented nationally and used in practice by Public Health Nurses in the assessment of families identified as vulnerable.

primary assessment framework, being implemented nationally and used in practice by Public Health Nurses in the assessment of families identified as vulnerable.

Example of Partner support (DH): The Office of the Chief Nurse recognises Meitheal as a secondary assessment framework, but would also suggest that acknowledgement is offered to the use of the primary assessment framework, being implemented nationally and used in practice by Public Health Nurses in the assessment of families identified as vulnerable.

G25 Continue to improve the quality and timeliness of services for children and young people, ensuring that State-funded programmes and services are outcomesfocused and can clearly demonstrate that they

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

DSP

Continue to monitor the effectiveness of social transfers in reducing child and family poverty, building on recent ESRI research (see also Commitments 1.3, 4.3).

Continue to monitor the effectiveness of social transfers in reducing child and family poverty.

Continue to monitor the effectiveness of social transfers in reducing child and family poverty.

Undertake a mid-term progress review of child poverty target , based on EU-SILC data for 2016.

DES

This is key to the core functions of the Department of Education

See 2014

See 2015

Further Education example: The installation of a new integrated Further Education and

37

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 improve outcomes.

2015

2016

and Skills, and will remain so.

DCYA

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 Training (FET) planning model to ensure the relevant employmentled provision is informed directly by employers.

Align finances to outcomes as part of oversight of DCYA-funded programmes, and ensure oversight of implementation of DCYA strategies (Youth, Early Years and Participation)

Continue to align finances to outcomes as part of oversight of DCYA-funded programmes, and ensure oversight of implementation of DCYA strategies (Youth, Early Years and Participation)

Continue to align finances to outcomes as part of oversight of DCYA-funded programmes, and ensure oversight of implementation of DCYA strategies (Youth, Early Years and Participation)

Quality and outcomes-focused provision improves outcomes for children and young people.

Commence 4 demonstration sites pending filling of Project Manager post for Outcomes for Children and their Families Framework in children’s disability network teams to promote child and family-centred practice.

Progress phased implementation of Children and their Families Framework in children’s disability network teams as they are established.

Progress phased implementation of Children and their Families Framework in children’s disability network teams as they are established.

Full roll-out of Outcomes for Children and their Families Framework in all children’s disability network teams.

Introduce the Framework to children’s respite and home support services, starting with Outcome 1: Voice of the child/young person.

Extend implementation of the Framework’s Outcome 1: Voice of the child/young person to all children’s respite and home support services.

Ensure oversight of implementation of DCYA strategies (Youth, Early Years and Participation)

DECLG Tusla HSE

Progress reconfiguration of children’s disability services into multidisciplinary teams providing support and

Complete reconfiguration of children’s disability

38

Evaluation of implementation and effectiveness of Outcomes for Children and their Families Framework across children’s disability network teams.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

intervention based on each child’s needs, not on diagnosis.

services into multidisciplinary teams.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Further use and development.

Health Atlas modules being widely used correctly to enable relevant decision-making for health and wellbeing.

Include Health Promotion and Improvement Programme Review and plans for programme vetting.

DH

These objectives are at the heart of health service provision for the whole population.

The Department of Health will continue to work with partners.

G26 Ensure that health and social planners, commissioners and funding programmes prioritise communitybased programmes for those most at risk, experiencing the greatest disparities and with the greatest opportunity for impact and mainstreaming.

DH DCYA, others as relevant

HSE Knowledge Management (Health Intelligence) Team lead on design and development of Health Atlas modules to enable analysis of demographic and deprivation data so that programmes can be suitably targeted to areas in greater need.

HSE Knowledge Management (Health Intelligence) Team work with partners to have modules widely used to enable planning processes.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): To be developed in the context of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes (2014) and National Youth

39

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Better alignment of funding with need.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Better alignment of funding with need.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Strategy (2015).

G27 Support the

DES

See 2014

See 2014

monitoring and full implementation of National Standards in relation to children (child and family services, health and disability services, early years, education and youth work).

The Quality Assurance of the Education System is a core function of the Department of Education and Skills, and will remain so. There is an ongoing programme of evaluation and inspection. Reports are in the public domain.

Realise the objectives set out in the 2014-2016 Strategic Plan for the Inspectorate.

DCYA

Engage with HIQA on: o inspection methodological framework; o a strategic approach to quality improvement; o agree specific areas for improvement; o development of National Standards.

Engage with HIQA on: o inspection methodological framework; o a strategic approach to quality improvement; o agree specific areas for improvement; o development of National Standards.

Engage with HIQA on: o inspection methodological framework; o a strategic approach to quality improvement; o agree specific areas for improvement; o development of National Standards.

Specific areas for quality improvements identified and measures put in place for delivery of improvements.

Continue to lead, support and monitor the implementation of DCYA quality standards initiatives for youth work services and volunteer-led youth groups.

Continue to lead, support and monitor the implementation of DCYA quality standards initiatives for youth work services and volunteer-led youth groups.

Continue to lead, support and monitor the implementation of DCYA quality standards initiatives for youth work services and volunteer-led youth groups.

Continued buy-in and

Build on progress of 2014.

Build on progress of 2015.

DJE DH

40

All DCYA-funded youth services achieving the quality standards and an evidence-based improvement of youth work practice and better outcomes for young people engaged in youth work.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Engage with HIQA on commencement of further provisions of Health Act 2007 regarding inspection of all children’s residential centres and development of National Standards.

Continued support to Children Detention Schools, Tusla and HIQA.

Inspections of children’s services are being carried out and reports being published that indicate compliance with standards.

support in regard to the full implementation of the National Standards in relation to children.

G28 Support

DCYA

independent inspection and public reporting by bodies such as HIQA and Tusla, ensuring compliance with National Standards in children’s services, such as child protection, foster care, residential care, disability, detention schools and pre-schools.

Engage with HIQA to develop work plan for commencement of further provisions of Health Act 2007 regarding inspection of all children’s residential centres and development of National Standards.

Ongoing cooperation with Children Detention Schools and HIQA.

Engage with Tusla regarding publication of inspection reports for all non-statutory children’s residential centres.

Ongoing cooperation with Children Detention Schools and HIQA.

DH

HSE Environmental Health Service – Agree Memorandum of Understanding with Tusla regarding ongoing Environmental Health Service role in inspections of Early Years services (pre-schools).

Implement revised inspection programme.

41

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Implement revised inspection programme.

Blended learning modules developed for Children First training for Mandated Persons and Designated Liaison Persons.

HSE staff and staff in HSE-funded agencies will have received training on their roles and responsibilities under Children First.

Continued roll-out of Train the Trainers module for Children First training to HSE staff and HSE-funded agencies.

HSE and HSE-funded Disability Services have conducted selfaudits and are compliant with Children First.

Develop training strategy for Children First for all HSE staff and HSE-funded agencies.

Work with HSE and HSEfunded Disability Services to promote compliance with HIQA standards for residential services.

Establish monitoring system of HSE and HSEfunded Disability Services for compliance with Children First.

HSE

HSE Environmental Health Service (EHS): Agree Memorandum of Understanding with Tusla regarding ongoing EHS role in inspections of Early Years services (preschools).

Develop training strategy for Children First for all HSE staff and HSE-funded agencies.

Work with HSE and HSEfunded Disability Services

Training needs analysis completed for HSE staff and HSE-funded agencies.

E-Learning module developed and implemented.

Train the Trainers identified for roll-out of Children First training.

Compliance checklist

42

Independent audit of 10 Disability Services’ compliance with Children First completed.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

to promote compliance with HIQA standards for residential services.

developed and implemented.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Establish monitoring system of HSE and HSE-funded Disability Services for compliance with Children First.

Roll-out of Children First training in Health Promotion and Improvement.

Tusla

Tusla has developed its early years inspection team and all inspection reports are publicly available on the internet.

HIQA

G29 Develop quality standards and training for all professionals working directly with children and young people, ensuring a highly trained, supported and professionally aligned workforce.

DES

Teaching is a regulated profession in Ireland.

See 2014

See 2014

That the Teaching Council continues to regulate the teaching profession.

DCYA

Liaise with CORU on accreditation of professional courses.

Liaise with CORU on accreditation of professional courses.

Liaise with CORU on accreditation of professional courses

Quality standards and training are central to the development of all professionals working with children and young people.

Continue to support the professional validation process carried out by the

Continue to support the professional validation process carried out by the

Continue to support the professional validation process carried out by the

43

Professional endorsement of youth work training provided by

Commitments

Lead and Partners

HSE

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

North-South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work.

North-South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work.

North-South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work.

third-level institutions in Ireland.

Phased roll-out of the Healthy Ireland Smart Start Health Promotion Programme for Pre-school Services nationally. This training programme encompasses modules on various health subjects, targeted at all pre-school service providers and includes parental involvement. In 2014, we will target 26 training rollouts across the country in partnership with the Border Counties Child Network, Child Care Committees and the DCYA.

Continue expansion of Healthy Ireland Smart Start Health Promotion Programme for Pre-school Services.

Work with key personnel in colleges/universities to get Health Promotion modules included in the curriculum.

Every pre-school will seek the Healthy Ireland certification.

Identify key partners.

Develop standardised modules on Health Promotion.

Develop a training module for undergraduate and postgraduate allied health professionals on Health Promotion, based on the IUHPE COMpHP Professional Standards for Health Promotion.

44

By 2017, standardised modules on Health Promotion will be included in the curriculum of 20% of third-level institutions in Ireland.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Children First Training Strategy will be developed for HSE and HSE-funded organisations.

Establish National Coordinating Committee for Primary Care Paediatric Services (aged 0-18) in September 2014.

Ten actions, outlined by National Coordinating Steering Group for Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People, are prioritised in Terms of Reference.

Quality and Patient Safety Department will continue to develop its role in professional development, ensuring patient safety and quality services, auditing, enabling learning and leading implementation of the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.

DH

Action 46 of Future Health

45

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Nurses and midwives will continue to work in school health screening programmes, as proposed and supported by Health Act and Healthy Ireland policy.

Nurses and midwives will continue to work in school health screening programmes, as proposed and supported by Health Act and Healthy Ireland policy.

See 2014

See 2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

– A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service, 2012-2015 calls for the Department of Health to work with the HSE to implement an approach to workforce planning and development that includes recruiting and retaining the right mix of staff, training and upskilling the workforce, providing for professional and career development, and creating supportive and healthy workplaces.

Nurses and midwives will continue to work in school health screening programmes, as proposed and supported by Health Act and Healthy Ireland policy.

G30 Support early childhood practitioners, teachers and educationalists through

Tusla

Liaise with CORU re accreditation of professional courses

DES DH, DCYA, HSE, Local Gov

Programme of CPD is provided as new curricula are introduced or new priorities for professional

46

Continue to meet the identified needs of teachers and the education system for professional development opportunities.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 the provision of continuous professional development, the establishment of peerlearning networks and the development of teaching, learning and assessment activities that utilise new technology effectively.

G31 Reconfigure services for children with disabilities under 18 years in line with the HSE’s national programme on ‘Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18)’.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Continued phased implementation of ‘Progressing Disability Services’ Programme.

Move to monitoring and reviewing of reconfigured services.

Disability services for children and young people aged 0-18 fully reconfigured to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they attend or the nature of their disability.

Departments/Sectors will begin implementing alternative delivery models as appropriate.

Every Department/Sector will have tested their current delivery model and implemented alternative models where

development are identified.

DH HSE

Continued phased implementation of ‘Progressing Disability Services’ Programme by HSE:  7 locations fully reconfigured;  further 2 locations to consolidate reconfiguration.

Majority of locations reconfigured, within existing resources.

All remaining Local Implementation Groups to complete consultation and have their implementation plans finalised and signed off by end 2014.

G32 Deliver better and more cost-effective public services through greater use of

DPER All

Develop guidance, resources and materials relating to alternative service delivery models.

Every Department/Sector tests (and reports to DPER) efficiency and effectiveness of their

47

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 alternative or innovative service delivery models.

G33 Bring a stronger focus on effective transitions, particularly within education, health, child welfare and youth justice services.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

DCYA DES, DH, DJE

Theme addressed and progressed via constituent strategies: Early Years, Youth and Participation.

Actions to support and enable effective transitions to be developed in the Youth Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DES): Education Passports for students transitioning between primary and post-primary school available for use in schools in 2014.

A Transition Reform Group with key State agencies and higher education institutions is being chaired by DES, which aims to improve the transition from second

2015

2016

current delivery models against alternative models.

Implementation of respective strategies.

Implementation of respective strategies.

Effective transitions to be enabled and supported through the Youth Strategy and relevant actions.

Effective transitions to be enabled and supported through the Youth Strategy and relevant actions.

Example of Partner support (DES): Schools required to use the Education Passport from 2015.

Example of Partner support (DES): NCCA to finalise its work on transition from pre-primary to primary.

Introduction of phased changes for students entering 5th Year as agreed in the implementation plan.

48

2017 appropriate.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

NCCA to continue its work on transitions from preprimary to primary.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

Strategies embedded and addressing key transition points for children and young people.

Young people supported at key transitional points in their lives.

Example of Partner support (DES): Education Passports in place and being used by schools for students transitioning between pre-school and primary school, and also between primary and postprimary school.

Implementation of plan to support transition from post-primary to higher education to be underway.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Schools required to use the Education Passport from 2015.

See 2015

Education Passports in place and being used by schools for students transitioning between pre-school and primary school, and also between primary and postprimary school.

level to higher education.

An implementation plan will be agreed by all partners by end 2014.

G34 Research and

DES

adopt strategies to strengthen transitions through the educational system (into primary, from primary to secondlevel, from second-level into higher or further education, employment or, in the case of early school-leavers, to Youthreach), including ensuring coherency of curriculum approach, school connections and promoting in-school practices such as the adoption of peer-topeer support programmes.

G35 Increase opportunities for young people to enter employment through the promotion of work experience opportunities at second

Education Passports for students transitioning between primary and post-primary school available for use in schools in 2014.

A Transition Reform Group with key State agencies and higher education institutions is being chaired by DES, which aims to improve the transition from second level to higher education.

An implementation plan will be agreed by all partners by end 2014.

DES DSP

Continue to promote work experience opportunities, and/or the development of skills relevant to the workplace, for learners in Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied and

NCCA to continue its work on transitions from preprimary to primary.

NCCA to finalise its work on transition from pre-primary to primary.

Implementation of plan to support transition from post-primary to higher education to be underway.

Introduction of phased changes for students entering 5th Year as agreed in the implementation plan.

See 2014

49

See 2015

Learners participating in Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme to have relevant work experience opportunities and/or develop skills relevant to the workplace.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 and third level.

G36 Strengthen the transitions between child and adolescent and adult services in the areas of physical and mental health services.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Example of Partner support (HSE): Further streamlining of the transition to health-funded adult services and supports for young people with disabilities on leaving school.

Example of Partner support (HSE): Continued provision of health-funded adult services and supports for young people with disabilities on leaving school.

Example of Partner support (HSE): Timely provision of effective health-funded supports for young people with disabilities on leaving school.

Participation in relevant actions in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (publication due Q4, 2014).

Participation in relevant actions in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (publication due Q4, 2014).

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.

DH HSE

HSE committed to ensure CAMHS continues integration and alignment with wider area-based mental health services.

Significant additional funding and posts since 2012 has facilitated pursuit of this objective.

Example of Partner support (HSE): The HSE is committed to strengthening transitions in 2014 and subsequent years, with focus on the transition from school to health-funded adult services and supports for young people with disabilities.

The HSE will also engage with the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, which is currently being drafted by the National Disability Authority on behalf of the DJE.

50

Provision of health-funded supports required by young people with disabilities in order to participate in training and employment.

(Note: Vocational training and open labour market employment are outside the remit of the DH/HSE.)

Commitments

G37 Ensure all young people leaving care, detention or residential disability settings are adequately prepared and supported to negotiate the system and transition to stable independent living, further education, training or employment through the development and implementation of a quality aftercare plan and the development of protocols in relation to accessing housing, education and training.

Lead and Partners

DCYA Tusla, DH, HSE, DECLG

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Performance Framework and Performance Statement reflective of priorities in this area.

Ongoing monitoring of performance in respect of these areas of delivery.

Ongoing monitoring of performance in respect of these areas of delivery.

Service improvements for young people in receipt of aftercare, well supported by a range of State services in accordance with assessed needs.

Ongoing monitoring of performance in respect of these areas of delivery.

For young people leaving care:  Enact Aftercare Legislation.  Hold bi-lateral meetings with key Departments/agencies.  Explore possibilities of external protocols for delivery of aftercare services.

Young people leaving detention: Review post-release planning in Children Detention Schools.

Young people in residential disability settings: To be scoped with partners.

Development, in conjunction with Performance and Governance Division, of appropriate set of performance indicators.

Monitor progress of planning and service response for aftercare.

Implement findings of review on post-release planning in Children Detention Schools.

For young people leaving care:  Enact Aftercare Legislation.  Continue to hold bilateral meetings with key Departments/agencies.  Explore possibilities of external protocols for delivery of aftercare services.

51

Performance indicators developed.

Cohort of young people in receipt of aftercare are well supported by State services in accordance with their needs.

Improved data sets available on the achievement of key outcomes for this cohort.

Commitments

G38 Support the development of interdisciplinary and interprofessional training programmes which encourage leadership and collaboration for professionals working with children and young people across the range of service delivery.

G39 Develop and implement a multidisciplinary workforce development plan on a phased basis for all professionals working with children and families, including staff within the Child and Family Agency and other key professionals.

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

DCYA DJE, Tusla, DH, HSE, DES

To be explored via constituent strategies: Early Years, Youth and Participation.

To be scoped with partners.

To be scoped with partners.

To be scoped with partners.

DCYA DJE, Tusla, HSE, DES

Tusla review of workforce structures to ensure an appropriate staff skill mix aimed at service enhancement.

To be scoped with partners.

To be scoped with partners.

To be scoped with partners.

Review role of family support workers, social care workers and administrative structures to support the delivery of more efficient and costeffective services.

Consider how job roles can be enhanced and increased multidisciplinary team-working introduced to improve/help alleviate pressure and increase

52

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Establish forum for consultation with universities.

Implement recommendations of project team.

Evaluate project outcomes.

Embed reporting process and continue progress on achieving commitments.

Cross-governmental approach to ensure strong progress being made on achieving commitments and on resolving intractable issues.

Effective implementation of the NPF with strong crossGovernment working relations.

collaborative approaches.

Redesign tasks and promote overall greater efficiency in working. Rollout of Meitheal will assist with workforce planning and Tusla will examine its organisational development and design following its first year of existence.

Workforce development of youth sector considered in the development of the National Youth Strategy.

G40 Collaborate with

Tusla

universities to ensure social work graduates are well equipped to enter practice, having had the experience of good quality undergraduate student placements.

G41 Build the required project and change management capabilities to implement this National Policy Framework (NPF).

Define and scope social work practice placements project.

Establish project team.

DCYA

Establish implementation team and systems, and develop connections across Governmentdepartments.

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Review approach to implementation and refresh.

Commitments

G42 Implement the Senior Public Service Leadership Development Strategy, 2013-2015 within the civil service and extend these initiatives to senior levels of the wider public service, paying particular attention to the opportunities and challenges associated with cross-Government working.

Lead and Partners

DPER All

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Ongoing implementation of Senior Public Service Leadership Development Strategy.

Ongoing implementation of Senior Public Service Leadership Development Strategy.

Consider next stage of development of Senior Public Service Leadership Development Strategy.

A more effective leadership cadre across the civil service.

Roll-out of Phase 2 of Executive Coaching Programme to Assistant Secretaries and extend to CEOs of non-commercial State agencies (NCSAs).

Quarterly Networking events, including the wider Public Service where appropriate.

Ongoing implementation of mobility at Assistant Secretary level within the civil service.

Continued provision of Coaching Programme to Assistant Secretaries and NCSAs. Extend coaching and mobility to Principal Officer cohort in civil service.

This strategy will be supported by all partners.

This strategy will be supported by all partners.

This strategy will be supported by all partners.

G43 Strengthen the performance culture within the public service through continuous improvement of performance management systems and the management of under-performance.

DPER All

Continue roll-out of ePMDS. Evaluate and act on PMDS calibration pilot.

Review of systems against best international practice.

Agree programme of supports to line managers in managing performance.

Continue roll-out of calibration, including any necessary process improvements.

This will be supported by

54

Continued iterative improvement of performance management process.

This will be supported by all partners.

Senior and line managers committed to performance management, including the identification and management of under-performance.

Commitments

G44 Promote the provision of customer service training for key front-line staff in all public bodies.

Lead and Partners

DPER All

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

This will be supported by all partners.

all partners.

Promote the provision of customer service training

by Government departments and offices through the QCS Officers’ Network.

Continue to promote customer service training through the QCS Officers’ Network.

This will be supported by all partners.

Work with other bodies to promote training on specific customer service issues (e.g. use of plain language, equality issues).

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Continue to promote customer service training through the QCS Officers’ Network and other channels.

Customer service training ingrained in Government departments and offices, which will take ownership for the promotion of such training in their wider sectors.

This will be supported by all partners.

This will be supported by all partners.

This will be supported by all partners.

G45 Resource the Child and Family Agency to implement the change agenda effectively and to deliver better outcomes for children and young people.

G46 Adopt an effective interagency approach in relation to cases of child welfare and protection, establishing information

DCYA DH, DPER

Delivery by Tusla of agreed programme of reform across specified areas of the child welfare and protection service, as identified in the 2014 Performance Statement.

Continuing delivery by Tusla of programme of reform across child welfare and protection services, consistent with priorities identified in the Performance Statement for 2015, the Performance Framework and the Tusla Corporate Plan.

Continuing delivery by Tusla of programme of reform across child welfare and protection services, consistent with priorities identified in the Performance Statement for 2016, the Performance Framework and the Tusla Corporate Plan.

Evidence of significant progress by Tusla in implementing an agreed programme of reform across child welfare and protection services with reference to the Performance Framework, Annual Performance Statements for the period 20142016, and the Tusla Corporate Plan.

DCYA DES, DH, HSE, Tusla, Others as relevant

Cooperation by Tusla with community, statutory and educational sectors, with particular emphasis on Tusla/HSE Memorandum of Understanding/Joint

Continuing development of interagency cooperation with statutory, community and educational partners.

Continuing development of interagency cooperation with statutory, community and educational partners.

Evidence of close interagency cooperation with community, statutory and educational sectors, with evidence of improved outcomes for children.

55

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 and coordinating protocols (including Hidden Harm protocols) between agencies serving children and young people and adultfocused addiction, domestic violence and mental health services.

G47 The roll-out nationally of Children’s Services Committees [since renamed Children and Young People’s Services Committees] in a coordinated fashion, connecting them with Local Government and Tusla, Child and Family Agency.

G48 Put in place an agreed resourcing framework for Children’s Services Committees [since renamed Children and Young People’s Services Committees], drawing on existing financial support from Tusla, Local Government and

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Implement blueprint for development of CYPSCs.

Review effectiveness of relationships between CYPSCs, Tusla and Local Government, and identify areas for development.

National Policy Framework being implemented locally via Children and Young People’s Services Committees as a key vehicle for interagency work.

Resourcing framework further developed, subject to resource availability.

Children and Young People’s Services Committees in place and operating effectively.

Protocol for Interagency Working, and continued roll-out of Children and Young People’s Services Committees.

DCYA Tusla, Local Gov, LCDCs

Devise blueprint for development of Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs).

All sites identified and established CYPSCs operating to clear policy direction.

DCYA Tusla, Local Gov

Devise blueprint for development of Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs).

National coverage of CYPSCs: all operational and working to single national mandate.

Implement blueprint for development of CYPSCs. Resourcing framework in place.

Resourcing framework negotiated and designed.

56

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Dependent on outcome of assessment in 2014.

See 2015

See 2015

DCYA.

G49 Establish integrated services or ‘hubs’ for children and young people at community level (examples include Primary Care Clinics, Family Support/ Resource Centres and Jigsaw Youth Mental Health Centres) and, where appropriate, bring health and therapeutic services into schools.

G50 Build on existing good practice around clustering of schools to enable better access to educational supports, particularly for children with special educational needs, and explore the potential for further development of cluster arrangements, to encourage greater connections between schools and community and State services,

DH DCYA HSE, Tusla, Local Gov

Primary Care is available to all.

HSE to consolidate, in addition to CAMHS teams, maximum number of Jigsaw sites in 2014. This includes evaluation of existing model of service.

DES DH, HSE, Tusla, Local Gov

The NCSE, at the request of the Department of Education and Skills, have produced a report on the new model of support allocations for schools.

The implications and potential for implementation are being assessed.

57

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

LCDCs established by mid2014 and Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) in place by end 2014/early 2015.

LCDCs, working with all relevant stakeholders, including Children and Young People’s Services Committees, will commence implementation of the community element of the LECPs.

As part of the ongoing implementation of the community element of the LECP, LCDCs working with relevant stakeholders, will identify service needs and duplication and seek to address these issues.

A more coherent and joined-up approach to the delivery of community and local services by all relevant stakeholders.

Where LCDCs identify service needs and duplication, relevant stakeholders, including CYPSC, will work with LCDCs, including adapting their plans, to achieve better targeting of needs and avoid overlap.

That all relevant stakeholders, including CYPSC, working with LCDCs, are in a position to adapt and adjust their planning and decision-making functions to ensure that service needs are identified and addressed and that duplication is reduced.

including sharing infrastructure.

G51 The establishment

DECLG

of new Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each county/city, bringing a more strategic, joined-up approach to local and community development.

G52 Streamline planning and decisionmaking structures at local level, including Children’s Services Committees [since renamed Children and Young People’s Services Committees], to be consistent with the Government’s public sector reforms, and specifically the alignment of Local Government and Local Community Development

Draft cross sectoral priority logic model

To be progressed via cross sectoral priority.

DECLG Tusla, DCYA, Local Gov

Put in place arrangements that provide for meaningful engagement between Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs) (and other relevant statutory agencies) and LCDCs in relation to the development of the Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs).

Working with LCDCs, all relevant stakeholders, including CYPSC, will contribute to the implementation of the LECPs.

58

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

HSE review of structures for delivery of non-acute health and social care services completed.

New structures to be established.

Dependent on 2014.

Dependent on 2014.

Committees (LCDCs).

G53 Review structures for delivery of non-acute health and social care services, having regard to Local Authority administrative boundaries where appropriate.

G54 Address information-sharing issues across sectors and strengthen the integration of data systems, including, where appropriate, through utilisation of the Public Sector Identifier for children to support greater use of data to inform policy, planning and service development.

G55 Develop information protocols to assist the sharing of information, where appropriate, in respect of particular children who are vulnerable and

DH HSE

Implementation plan to be developed.

DPER DSP, DCYA, DH, DES, HSE, Tusla

General Scheme of a DataSharing and Governance Bill.

Data-Sharing and Governance Bill enacted.

Implementation of datasharing elements of ICT Strategy.

Removal of significant legislative barriers to allow more effective data-sharing.

DCYA DJE, DES, DH, ODPC, AGS, Tusla

The development of information-sharing protocols is operational and rests with Tusla in relation to child protection, especially for Tusla/GardaĂ­ and

To be scoped with partners.

To be scoped with partners.

To be scoped with partners.

59

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 at risk.

G56 Develop a comprehensive set of indicators to support the Framework and to track progress across the aims of each of the 5 national outcome areas.

G57 Disaggregate data and indicators by important demographic characteristics to allow

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Appropriate reporting mechanism(s) for the indicators in place and data collection commenced.

Implementation of agreed reporting mechanism(s).

A comprehensive set of indicators and reporting mechanism(s) in place to support the National Policy Framework and track progress annually.

Tusla/third parties or employers.

DCYA DES, DH, DSP, DECLG

Develop a national set of high-level outcome indicators.

Example of Partner support (DH): Establishment of a crosssectoral working group by the Health & Wellbeing Programme to develop an Outcomes Framework to provide evidence to support an objective assessment of the impacts of Healthy Ireland and to help partners in wider Government and society prioritise their actions towards improving health and wellbeing across all aspect of society.

DCYA DPER, CSO

Data activities undertaken as part of Commitments G61 and G62 completed.

2014 data reported to NPF Consortium in 2015.

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in identifying the health and wellbeing related indicators and targets developed by key groups in Ireland.

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in reporting on the health and wellbeing related indicators and targets developed by key groups in Ireland.

Work with DCYA to incorporate appropriate child health and wellbeing indicators into the Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework.

Scope opportunities for further disaggregation.

Identify and agree actions.

60

Begin implementation of agreed actions.

Better data for key demographics, informing policy and practice.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

DCYA Others as relevant

Review National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives and update and align with commitments in the NPF, Healthy Ireland, etc.

Implement and oversee the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives.

Implement and oversee the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives.

Implementation of National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives achieved.

DPER All

Government departments continue to provide DPER with appropriate and relevant performance information for inclusion on the Ireland Stat website.

Update performance information.

Update performance information.

This will be supported by all partners.

This will be supported by all partners.

A dataset that will support initial evaluation of the various programme elements by DPER, other Government departments and other interested parties.

Data-Sharing and Governance Bill enacted.

Implementation of datasharing elements of ICT Strategy.

Removal of significant legislative and technical barriers to more effective data-sharing.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

for improved evidencebased policy-making, implementation and monitoring, and in the delivery of services.

G58 Implement the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives, 20112016.

G59 Extend Ireland Stat, the citizen-focused public service performance information website, to all Government departments.

This will be supported by all partners.

G60 Improve legislation, policy and technological support for data use and sharing, including open data for citizens.

DPER All

General Scheme of a DataSharing and Governance Bill.

National Action Plan under the Open Government Partnership.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

This will be supported by all partners as

61

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Identify and review existing data system initiatives and consider where/how the data requirements arising from the National Policy Framework are supported.

Data-sharing opportunities connected to Commitments G57 and G62 explored.

Begin implementation of agreed actions.

Data-sharing opportunities explored and agreed.

DCYA

Produce county-level fact sheets in user-friendly and accessible manner.

Scope requirements and agree a proposal to progress development of the County-level Data Analysis Initiative.

Further development of an accessible online data system.

Effective data system in place.

DSP DH, DCYA, DPER, DF

Undertake a social impact assessment of the new Housing Assistance Payment in conjunction with the DECLG and DH.

Undertake a Social Impact Assessment of Budget 2016.

Undertake a Social Impact Assessment of Budget 2017.

Wider practice of Social Impact Assessments across Government departments.

appropriate.

G61 Develop shared systems for coordinating and facilitating statistical analysis from across Government.

G62 Deliver the

DCYA DES, DH, CSO, DPER Others as relevant

County-level Data Analysis Initiative to support the Children’s Services Committees [since renamed Children and Young People’s Services Committees].

G63 Develop integrated Social Impact Assessments as a feature of policy development and policy impact analysis, ensuring a focus on the impact of policy on children.

Undertake a Social Impact Assessment of Budget 2015.

Example of Partner support (DH): Health and Wellbeing Programme is working in

Implementation begun.

Identify and agree actions.

Example of Partner support (DH): Consider, in the context of the 2014 assessment, the potential of developing this partnership further to incorporate health assessments of future policy developments across a range of issues.

62

Example of Partner support (DH): Build on progress of 2014 and 2015.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Support dissemination of report on Child Care Law Reporting Project.

Roll-out of the NCCIS completed.

System learning from Child Care Law Reporting Project (and any similar future reporting mechanisms) timely and responsive, with a view to eliminating, to the greatest extent possible, identified gaps while supporting highlighted good practice.

partnership with DSP, DECLG, the Housing Agency and the Institute of Public Health to pilot the integration of health assessment into the social impact assessment being conducted on the introduction of the housing assistance payment.

G64 Strengthen data capture to enhance our knowledge and understanding of abuse and children’s experience of the Court system, through development of the National Child Care Information System and informed by the Child Care Law Reporting Project.

DCYA

In relation to the Child Care Law Reporting Project:  support project by way of accommodation and ongoing relationship with philanthropic funders;  final report to be published.

National Child Care Information System (NCCIS) testing in selected site completed. Planning for national roll-out advanced.

Findings of report to be considered in the context of the proposed review of the Child Care Act 1991.

Findings of the report will be fed into Performance Statement and Performance Indicator development for subsequent years.

Roll-out of the NCCIS commenced.

Continued financial support of Project.

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Learning and improved data capture informs future policy and legislative developments in respect of the Child Care Act 1991.

Standardised business processes in place across the system through the NCCIS.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Final report of Project to be published.

G65 Explore the development of crossGovernment estimates for expenditure on children and young people, and update these annually thereafter.

G66 Ensure resource allocation is based on current evidence of need and directed towards services and programmes that have evidence of effectiveness in improving outcomes.

G67 Improve the effectiveness of overall expenditure on children in achieving better child poverty outcomes.

DCYA DPER, DF

Research project examining crossGovernment spending on children commenced.

Actions dependent on findings in 2014.

Actions dependent on findings in 2014.

Cross-Government estimates for expenditure on children and young people available.

DCYA Tusla

Align finances to outcomes as part of oversight of DCYA-funded programmes.

Continue to align finances to outcomes as part of Tusla oversight.

Continue to align finances to outcomes as part of Tusla oversight.

Quality and outcomes-focused provision improves outcomes for children and young people.

DPER DSP, DCYA, DH, DES

Review of Expenditure and Capital Investment Frameworks.

Ongoing development of policy analysis and evaluation capacity within the public sector.

Build on progress of 2015.

Better decision-making around resource allocation through improved information gathering.

Continued development of policy analysis and evaluation capacity within the public sector.

Ongoing training and guidance on Public Spending Code Performance Budgeting

64

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued collaboration with DPER and related departments in ensuring the realisation of optimum outcomes in policy and

Increased level of evaluation capacity within the public service.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Training and guidance material in support of new Public Spending Code Performance Budgeting Initiative.

Initiative.

provision for children and young people.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued collaboration with DPER and related departments in ensuring the realisation of optimum outcomes in policy and provision for children and young people.

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing cooperation with DPER in respect of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and Review of Capital Investment Framework.

Cooperation with DPER initiatives in relation to development of policy analysis and evaluation capacity.

G68 Use the intelligence from

DCYA DH, DCELG, HSE,

Standardise Children and Young People’s Services

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued collaboration with DPER and related departments in ensuring the realisation of optimum outcomes in policy and provision for children and young people.

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing cooperation with DPER in respect of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and Review of Capital Investment Framework.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing cooperation with DPER in respect of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and Review of Capital Investment Framework Cooperation with DPER initiatives in relation to development of policy analysis and evaluation capacity.

Cooperation with DPER initiatives in relation to development of policy analysis and evaluation capacity.

Ensure optimum use of CYPSC data to inform

65

Dissemination strategy in place for CYPSC intelligence

CYPSC generating valuable information and insights for policy

Commitments

Lead and Partners

Children’s Services Committees [since renamed Children and Young People’s Services Committees] in relation to local need and priorities to inform the allocation of national and local funding streams.

Tusla, Local Gov, AGS

G69 Introduce the

Tusla DCYA

commissioning of services by the Child and Family Agency, moving away from a grants system to outcomebased contracts, and offer support to build capacity within the children and youth sector to respond to the new approach effectively.

1.1 Tackle the issues of childhood obesity and

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Committees (CYPSC), both operationally and strategically, to optimise coordination, planning and oversight in CYPSC.

policy and provision.

and data optimised by CYPSC and constituent organisations.

nationally and locally, and identifying models of best practice.

Develop a Tusla Commissioning Strategy and deliver training on commissioning.

Implement Tusla Commissioning Strategy in each of the 17 management areas.

Provide workshops and training to the voluntary/ community sector to encourage them to actively engage in the commissioning process.

Provide workshops and training to the voluntary/ community sector to encourage them to actively engage in the commissioning process.

Tusla Commissioning Strategy implemented nationally and local commissioning plans produced, with a focus on outcomes-based contracts and active engagement of voluntary/community partners in the commissioning process.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Tusla Commissioning Strategy introduced in line with provisions of Child and Family Agency Act 2013.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Tusla Commissioning Strategy fully in place.

Ongoing work relating to the Top Shelf Food action

Ongoing work relating to the Top Shelf Food action

Implement blueprint for development of CYPSC.

Devise blueprint for development of CYPSC.

Develop training in commissioning, utilising the National Commissioning Guide and focusing on outcomes.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Mapping and value-formoney review undertaken

by Tusla of all grants to agencies to assist in development of Tusla Commissioning Strategy

DH DF, DES, DCYA,

Develop an intersectoral action plan relating to the

66

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Evidence of shift from traditional grant aid approach to a commissioning model.

Development of revised Healthy Eating Guidelines, implementation

Commitments

obesogenic environments through a mix of legislative, policy and public awareness activities and will give active consideration to the introduction of fiscal measures to support healthy lifestyles in the context of the annual budgetary process.

Lead and Partners

HSE, Tusla, Others as relevant

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Top Shelf Food Report (2014), which will promote healthy diet and nutrition in children.

plan. In addition, there is a commitment to develop an National Obesity Policy in 2015.

plan.

of calorie posting and implementation of intersectoral actions relating to the Top Shelf Food Report.

Continue media campaigns relating to healthy eating.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Consider role of youth organisations in addressing childhood obesity in context of NYHP 2015 work programme.

Participate in and lead work relating to the EU Action Plan on childhood obesity.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Promote healthy lifestyles among young people through the National Youth Health Programme (NYHP) and the Health Quality Mark for youth organisations.

Example of Partner support (DES): Same as 2014.

Example of Partner support (DES): Continue to work with the Department of Health and the Special Advisory Group on Obesity.

Note: DES actions in Commitment 1.2 on

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Example of Partner support (DCYA): Consider role of youth organisations in addressing childhood obesity in context of NYHP 2015 work programme.

Example of Partner support (DES): Same as 2015.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Healthy lifestyles and healthy eating promoted to young people through youth organisations.

Example of Partner support (DES): Continued cooperation between DES and DH in relation to obesity measures.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Collate data on extent of healthy eating policies in primary and post-primary schools through Lifeskills Survey 2015.

Publish results of Lifeskills Survey 2015, including data on healthy eating policies.

The development of healthy eating policies in all educational institutions that currently do not have them.

facilitating healthier choices also relevant here.

1.2 Support children, young people and their parents to make healthier choices through education, addressing food poverty and ensuring that all educational and State institutions providing food and drink to children, whether directly or through franchised commercial services on-site, have a Healthy Foods policy and provide food that meets basic nutritional standards.

DES DSP, DCYA, DH

Promote the adoption of healthy eating policies in educational institutions.

Provide guidance to educational institutions about appropriate use of vending machines.

New short courses in Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Physical Education (PE) to be made available to schools to implement, as an option, as part of the new Junior Cycle framework.

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing implementation of the ‘Let’s Take on Childhood Obesity, One Step at a Time’ campaign, developed in partnership between Safefood, the HSE and the Department of Health. This was launched in October 2013

Establishment of ‘Wellbeing’ in new Junior Cycle programme in schools.

Monitor extent to which guidance is adopted in schools through the next Lifeskills Survey in 2015.

Example of Partner support (DH): Continue to progress work commenced in 2014 towards ensuring a coordinated cross-sectoral approach to support schools and teachers in improving child health and wellbeing across all topics (nutrition, physical activity, SPHE, mental health, etc) and in developing and putting in place a

68

Continue development of 2015 work on ‘Wellbeing’ in schools.

Publish results of Lifeskills Survey 2015, including data on vending machine practices in schools.

Example of Partner support (DH): Build on progress of 2014 and 2015.

‘Wellbeing’ a key feature of Junior Cycle programme in schools.

Guidance issued to educational institutions about appropriate use of vending machines. Evidence on the extent to which the guidance is influencing practice in schools to be published through the Lifeskills Survey.

New SPHE and PE short courses to be available to schools to implement.

Commitments

1.3 Continue to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the School Meals Programme and consider inclusion of DEIS schools not currently benefiting under the programme, subject to resources becoming available.

Lead and Partners

DSP

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

and continued throughout 2014. Its purpose is to communicate practical solutions for parents to adopt in order to tackle the everyday habits that are associated with excess weight in childhood through the development of healthy eating policies and other relevant policies.

coordinated support infrastructure involving the HSE.

Promote School Meals Programme and its benefits in all DEIS schools.

Engage with key partners in the School Meals Programme.

Inspect approximately 10% of schools participating in School Meals Programme.

An additional â‚Ź2 million has been provided for the School Meals Programme as part of Budget 2015.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Promote School Meals Programme and its benefits in all DEIS schools.

Promote School Meals Programme and its benefits in all DEIS schools.

Engage with key partners in the School Meals Programme.

Engage with key partners in the School Meals Programme.

Have prioritised take-up of School Meals Programme by 135 DEIS schools currently outside the programme in the context of a fixed budget and a small number of schools leaving the programme each year.

Inspect approximately 10% of schools participating in School Meals Programme.

Inspect approximately 10% of schools participating in School Meals Programme.

An additional â‚Ź2 million has been provided for the School Meals Programme as part of Budget 2015.

The Department of Health

69

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Example of Partner support (DCYA): National Youth Strategy relating to health of young people, including addressing health inequalities, will be progressed by relevant health partners.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): National Youth Strategy relating to health of young people, including addressing health inequalities, will be progressed by relevant health partners.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Partners supported in tackling inequalities in health outcomes for vulnerable groups.

will publish its Top Shelf Food Report, which contains a number of recommendations to promote healthy diet and nutrition in children and the Department will work closely with key stakeholders in the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

1.4 Tackle inequalities in health outcomes for identified vulnerable groups, including Travellers, Roma, refugee and asylumseeking children, migrants, young people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), those experiencing poverty, and children and young people who are the responsibility of the State, whether in care or detention.

DH DJE DCYA, HSE, NOSP, DES

Development of an Outcomes Framework to provide evidence to support an objective assessment of the impacts of Healthy Ireland. In terms of addressing and reducing health inequalities, the Outcomes Framework will contain indicators describing health and wellbeing disparities across and within population groups.

The Department of Health will continue to work closely with key stakeholders, including cross-sectoral forums, to

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

tackle health inequalities among identified vulnerable groups.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Issue of addressing health inequalities will be considered in context of development of the National Youth Strategy.

1.5 Implement a new National Model of Paediatric Care and complete the building of the new National Children’s Hospital.

1.6 Continue to support accessible and affordable youth and sport activities, which encourage young people’s overall personal and social development, including healthy behaviours, and engage young people who might be at risk of early school-leaving or engaging in criminal activity and anti-social

DH HSE

Appointment of Design Team.

Application for planning permission to be submitted.

Construction phase continues.

Construction phase continues.

DCYA DH, DTTS, HSE, Tusla, AGS

Continued financial support for youth sector informed by development of the National Youth Strategy and having regard to the Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of Youth Programmes (published 2014).

Having regard to resources available, continue to work with the providers of youth work services to maintain accessible and affordable quality front-line youth services through VFM and further efficiencies in service provision.

Work, with partners, in the context of the implementation of the National Youth Strategy, to ensure that activities provided for youth (including sports by different organisations in receipt of State funding) are focused on relevant outcomes, e.g. healthy behaviors, in education, and away from crime and antisocial behaviour.

Young people have access to needs-based quality-assured services, which are outcomesfocused and increasingly evidencebased, to promote their personal and social development.

Example of Partner support (DH): The National Physical

Produce National Youth Strategy, 2015-2020.

Example of Partner

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Example of Partner support (DH): An increase of 1% per annum in the number of people meeting the recommended guidelines for physical activity.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

behaviour.

1.7 Address the high rate of premature and risky alcohol consumption, use of illicit drugs and the incidence of smoking among young people through a combination of legislative, regulatory and policy mechanisms.

DH DJE DCYA, DES, Local Gov, HSE, Drug & Alcohol Task Forces

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Activity Plan (NPAP) is currently in development.

A draft will be circulated for consultation in Q4, 2014.

support (DH): Launch and commencement of implementation of NPAP.

Example of Partner support (DH): Implementation of NPAP.

Continue to develop policies to tackle the misuse of alcohol.

Continued implementation and monitoring of the National Drugs Strategy, 2009-2016.

Continued implementation and monitoring of the National Drugs Strategy, 2009-2016.

Example of Partner support (DES): Same as 2014.

Commence development of a National Substance Misuse Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Progress relevant actions in National Youth Strategy by relevant partners.

Example of Partner support (DES): Same as 2014.

Introduction of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.

Continued implementation and monitoring of the National Drugs Strategy, 2009-2016.

Progressing the implementation of the recommendations of Tobacco Free Ireland.

Example of Partner support (DES): Continued implementation of Social, Personal and Health Education in primary and post-primary schools.

Introduction of the Public

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What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

Deliver a National Substance Misuse Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DES): Primary and post-primary students to be equipped with the relevant ‘lifeskills’ to ensure positive wellbeing, but also to recognise dangers of substance abuse and to be able to cope with associated challenges.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Promote positive mental health among young people through the youth work sector and the National Youth Health Programme.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Promote positive mental health among young people through the youth work sector and the National Youth Health Programme.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Positive mental health supported and Vision for Change supported through the National Youth Strategy.

Health (Standardised Packaging) Tobacco Bill.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Progress relevant actions in National Drugs Strategy.

Have regard to young people at risk in developing new targeted youth programme.

Support the work of the National Youth Health Programme.

1.8 Implement a Vision for Change as it relates to children and young people, in particular to improve access to early intervention youth mental health services and coordination of service supports, with a focus on improving mental health literacy and reducing incidents of self-harm and suicide.

DH DES, HSE, NOSP, DCYA, Local Gov

Continue to develop mental health services in line with Vision for Change.

Conduct review of Reach Out: National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Promote positive mental health among young people through the youth work sector and the

Support Vision for Change through the National Youth Strategy.

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Support Vision for Change through the National Youth Strategy.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Promotion of positive mental health through the National Youth Strategy, 2015-2020.

Example of Partner support (DES): Increased awareness of and promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing in primary and post-primary schools.

Identify key learning from ABC Programme in this area.

Increase in the number of schools participating in the Health Promoting Schools Initiative.

National Youth Health Programme.

Consider mental health actions in Vision for Change in developing the National Youth Strategy.

1.9 Ensure there is equity of access to child and adolescent mental health services for all children, in particular those aged 16 and 17 years.

1.10 Combine mental health promotion programmes with interventions that address broader determinants and social problems as part of a multi-agency approach, particularly in areas with high levels of socioeconomic deprivation and fragmentation.

DH HSE, DES

HSE working towards eliminating placement of 16-17 year-olds in adult facilities. New protocols recently introduced.

Oversee implementation of revised Suicide Prevention Strategy (to be reviewed in Commitment 1.8).

2014 target of 75% or more of all admissions of children to acute in-patient units to be to age-appropriate CAMHS in-patient units.

DH HSE, NOSP, DCYA, Tusla, DES, Others as relevant

HSE’s National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014 commits to promoting ‘positive mental health’ and ‘improving suicide prevention’. This includes proposed media campaign to encourage ‘helpseeking’ and an IT ‘One-Stop-Shop’, mapping availability of services

Example of Partner support (DES): Promote the use of the new guidelines for primary schools on promoting wellbeing and mental health.

Monitor the number of schools participating in the Health Promoting Schools Initiative through the 2015

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Example of Partner

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

including CAMHS. Aim is to have campaign and IT application in place by Q3, 2014.

Lifeskills Survey.

Example of Partner support (DES): Publish guidelines for primary schools on promoting wellbeing and mental health (to complement WellBeing in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, published jointly by DES, DH and HSE in 2013).

2016

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Promotion of positive mental health through the National Youth Strategy, 2015-2020.

Implementation of ABC Programme

Increase the number of schools participating in the 'Health Promoting Schools' initiative, which is supported by the Department of Health.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Promotion of positive mental health through the National Youth Strategy, 2015-2020.

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What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 support (DCYA): Relevant actions in the National Youth Strategy progressed by partners.

Mainstream learning from ABC Programme in this area.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Develop leadership, governance and coordination structures with the HSE to ensure the overarching goals of the National Sexual Health Strategy are delivered in line with both Future Health and Healthy Ireland.

Ongoing collaboration with the HSE to progress implementation of the recommendations of the National Sexual Health Strategy.

Ongoing collaboration with the HSE to progress implementation of the recommendations of the National Sexual Health Strategy.

Launch and commencement of implementation of the actions of the National Physical Activity Plan, in collaboration with all key stakeholders.

Ongoing Implementation of the actions of the National Physical Activity Plan and continued collaboration with all key stakeholders.

Ongoing implementation of the actions of the National Physical Activity Plan and continued collaboration with all key stakeholders.

Implementation of ABC Programme

1.11 Complete and implement a National Sexual Health Strategy as a strategic framework for the sexual health and well-being of the population, ensuring access for young people to age-appropriate information and services about relationships and sexual health.

1.12 Complete and implement the National Physical Activity Plan; support the full implementation of the schools’ Physical Education Programme and encourage the Active Schools Flag

DH DCYA, DES

Drafting of a new National Sexual Health Strategy, 2014-2020 has been completed and will be submitted to Government for their approval in the summer of 2014.

The aims of the strategy are to improve sexual health and wellbeing, and to reduce negative sexual health outcomes. It represents, for the first time, a nationally coordinated approach to address sexual health and wellbeing among the population.

DH DES, Others as relevant

The Department of Health in partnership with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a working group of key stakeholders will complete the National Physical Activity Plan. A draft will be circulated for

To be progressed via cross

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An increase of 1% per annum in the number of people meeting the recommended guidelines for

Commitments

Lead and Partners

Initiative.

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

consultation in Q4, 2014

sectoral priority.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 physical activity.

Draft cross sectoral priority logic model The Department of Health and the HSE will support the Active School Flags Initiative, which is managed by the Department of Education and Skills.

1.13 Enable hard-toreach groups to access services by making health services (including mental health services) available in youth-friendly, accessible and inclusive environments.

HSE Local Gov, DCYA, DH, DES

Launch new, interactive smoking cessation service, ‘Quit’ (www.quit.ie) Provide access to health information through existing voluntary sector partners.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Young people’s access to quality, flexible services considered in the development of the National Youth Strategy.

Extend ‘Quit’ service to young people.

Target high-risk groups, in particular young girls in SES 5 and 6, who have the highest smoking rates among young people.

Engage teenagers at risk of crisis pregnancy in programmes covering issues such as:  sexual health;  contraception;  relationships;  teen parenting;  self-esteem.

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Implement extension of ‘Quit’ service to young people and monitor results.

Assess success of extension of ‘Quit’ service to young people and revise accordingly.

Continue to provide Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) programmes in out-ofschool settings to help young people gain knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills for healthy sexual expression.

Continue to provide Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) programmes in out-of-school settings to help young people gain knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills for healthy sexual expression.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Young people’s access to quality, flexible services supported through the

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Young people have access to quality, flexible and outcomesfocused services.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

Deliver health initiative aimed at young males.

National Youth Strategy and actions as relevant.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

Promote Crisis Pregnancy Programme (CPP) website (www.b4udecide.ie) Example of Partner support (DCYA): Young people’s access to quality, flexible services supported through the National Youth Strategy and actions as relevant.

1.14 Enable greater access to sports, arts and culture for all children and young people, including through facilitating collaboration between sports, youth, arts and cultural organisations and schools and preschools, to enrich the educational experience of all.

DES DCYA, DAHG, DTTS, Arts Council

Implement the educationrelated actions in the National Physical Activity Plan and the Get Active Guiding Framework.

Continue to promote participation by schools in the Active Schools Flag Initiative.

Implement the educationrelated commitments in the Arts in Education Charter.

Provide a Summer Course to train Lead Teachers and

Build on progress of 2014.

Build on progress of 2015.

Lead Teachers and Artists will work together in schools and deliver training through the Summer Course model.

Extend the Summer Course provision for teachers and artists to the entire Education Centre Network.

See 2015

Arts portal to be established.

Increase co-funding of Music Generation Programme.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Young people’s access and

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Progress the education-related actions in the National Physical Activity Action Plan and the Get Active Guiding Framework.

Increase the number of schools awarded the Active Schools Flag, from baseline of 390 in 2014.

Part-fund all local Music Generation/Music Education Partnerships.

Balance of funding to be generated locally (as currently).

Progress the education-related commitments in the Arts in Education Charter.

Example of Partner support (DCYA):

Arts portal established.

Summer courses to be available in all Education Centres.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Artists in each of the Education Centre Regions.

participation in sports, arts and culture supported through the National Youth Strategy and relevant actions.

Young people’s access and participation in sports, arts and culture supported through the National Youth Strategy and relevant actions.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Young people have greater access to sports, arts and culture.

Develop new National Play Policy with partners.

Implement National Play Policy.

Host a research seminar on research findings from IRCHSS research on youth cafés.

Promote and disseminate evidence and information to inform development of youth café facilities, including data on key issues for sustainability.

The quality and availability of play and recreation spaces for both children and young people continues to improve nationally.

DES to begin co-funding of the Music Generation Programme, which provides funding to local music education partnerships to develop music education services aimed at helping children and young people access music education.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Enhancing young people’s access to sports, arts and culture considered in the development of the National Youth Strategy.

1.15 Continue to develop play and recreation spaces for both children and young people, from playgrounds (for multiple age ranges) to youth cafés, sports and leisure centres, and where possible look to weatherproof these

DCYA DH, DECLG

With Partners, undertake an audit of play spaces and facilities by age to inform future provision.

Complete implementation of Youth Café Capital Scheme 2013.

Commence policy analysis of continued support and

Continue to develop policy on youth cafés in Ireland in light of findings from

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Example of Partner

Promote and disseminate evidence and information to inform development of youth café facilities, including data on key issues for sustainability.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

spaces.

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

development of youth café provision in Ireland.

research and review of funding scheme implementation.

support (DH): Continue to build on progress made in 2014 and 2015.

Example of Partner support (DH): The Health and Wellbeing Programme is engaging with the DECLG through the Inter-Departmental Group on Local and Community Development and engaging with the City and County Managers’ Association to facilitate the inclusion of health and wellbeing as a key pillar in the economic and community planning process being undertaken in the new Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in Local Authorities.

2.1 Develop and implement a National Early Years Strategy for all children aged 0-6 years, covering all aspects of children’s experiences in their early years and their inclusion in Early Years

DCYA DES, DH

Develop the National Early Years Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DH): Support DCYA in the development and implementation of the National Early Years

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

Example of Partner support (DH): Build on progress of 2014 by further developing relationships with key partners to promote crosssectoral and interagency working at Local Authority level. This will also support the National Physical Activity Plan (see Commitment 1.12).

Develop and Implement the National Early Years Strategy.

Implementation of the National Early Years Strategy continued.

Example of Partner support (DH): Support and collaborate on implementation of National Early Years

Example of Partner support (DH): Support and collaborate on implementation of National Early Years Strategy.

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Implementation of the National Early Years Strategy reviewed.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

care and education services.

2.2 Strengthen the connections between pre-school and Infants classes at primary level, including through the roll-out of Aistear and Síolta.

2.3 Build children’s emotional literacy in pre-school and primary school as a core foundation for educational attainment.

DES Tusla, DCYA

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

Strategy.

Strategy.

Development of Practice Guidelines by National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), distilling key principles from Aistear and Síolta.

NCCA Practice Guidelines to be made available.

NCCA to initiate consultation process on the future reform of the primary school curriculum, including issues relating to the relationship of the pre-school year to the Infants classes.

DES DCYA

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implementation of the ABC Programme Children’s wellbeing, which is fundamental to emotional literacy, is a key theme of Aistear.

Results of consultation process to be considered.

Proposals for reform to continue to be developed.

2016

2017

See 2015

NCCA Practice Guidelines available.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Identify key learning from the ABC Programme in this area.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implementation of the ABC Programme

See 2014

The implementation of Aistear in pre-schools will be supported by the National Early Years Support Service, to be

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What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

Proposals to be developed by the NCCA on the future reform of the primary school curriculum, including a focus on the relationship between the pre-school year and the Infants classes.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Mainstream learning from ABC Programme in this area.

See 2015

Children’s wellbeing supported through widespread implementation of Aistear.

Commitments

2.4 Implement strategies to improve school engagement and reduce incidences of suspensions and expulsions and early school-leaving through engaging parents in schooling, strengthening transitions, promoting different styles of learning to better engage boys, and fostering inclusive school environments where all pupils flourish, irrespective of social and ethnic background or disability.

2.5 Implement the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy.

Lead and Partners

DES DCYA, Tusla

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

established in 2014. The primary curriculum for Junior and Senior Infants is being reviewed in the light of Aistear.

Develop a Parents and Learners Charter.

Continue to monitor school retention rates.

See 2015

Continuing upward trajectory in school retention rates.

See 2014

See 2015

Development of Education Passport to transfer information from primary to post-primary in use in all schools.

Integrated Language curriculum for infants to 2nd Class implemented in primary schools.

Implementation of the commitments in the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy that relate to 2014-2016.

School codes of behaviour, anti-bullying policies and wellbeing supports will guide pedagogical practice in a manner that aims to ensure that best practice is adopted in all school settings.

DES DCYA

Continue to implement the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implementation of the

Ongoing continuous

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Ongoing CPD in literacy and numeracy for teachers.

Ongoing CPD in literacy and numeracy for teachers.

Continued roll-out of Junior Cycle

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

ABC Programme

professional development (CPD) in literacy and numeracy for teachers.

School self-evaluation emphasis on literacy and numeracy.

Review of primary Mathematics curriculum.

Participate in TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) 2015 and PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) Survey.

2.6 Continue to implement the new framework for Junior Cycle, which is structured around a set of key principles and statements of learning and which will allow students to develop key skills, such as effective

DES

New short courses on SPHE, PE and CSPE to be available for schools to implement, as an option, as part of their Junior Cycle framework from September 2014.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implementation of the ABC Programme Subject specification in Science to be introduced for students entering 1st Year in September 2015 (for first certification in Autumn 2018).

School self-evaluation emphasis on literacy and numeracy.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 Student Award (English students will complete first cycle of new Junior Cycle English specification).

Revised Junior Cycle Irish specification to be implemented in schools.

Standardised testing in English and Mathematics to be introduced for 2nd Year students in post-primary schools.

Participate in PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy) Survey.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Mainstream learning from ABC Programme in this area.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Identify key learning from the ABC Programme in this area.

Subject specification in Business Studies and Irish to be introduced for students entering 1st Year in September 2016 (for first certification in Autumn 2019).

Subject specifications in English, Science, Business Studies and Irish to be introduced into schools.

Short courses to be available to schools.

First Junior Cycle Student Award to be awarded in Autumn 2017.

Subject specification in English will be introduced

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 communication, collaborative working, independent thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills.

2.7 Continue to develop, evolve and implement curricula in the education system and to support initiatives in out-of school settings, to teach children knowledge and skills relating to information management, new technologies, coding and digital literacy.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Implementation of recommendations of Digital Strategy for Schools.

Implementation of recommendations of Digital Strategy for Schools.

Review of progress on implementation of Digital Strategy for Schools.

Ongoing implementation of Junior Cycle.

Ongoing implementation of Junior Cycle.

Ongoing implementation of Junior Cycle.

Ongoing implementation of the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy.

Ongoing implementation of the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy.

Ongoing implementation of the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy.

Ongoing revision of Senior Cycle curricula.

Ongoing revision of Senior Cycle curricula.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Support for youth services continued.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Support for youth services continued.

Implementation of National Youth Strategy

Implementation of National Youth Strategy

for students entering 1st Year in September 2014 (first certification in Autumn 2017).

DES DCYA, DCENR

Level 2 Learning programmes for students with SEN will be available from September 2014.

Publish Digital Strategy for Schools.

Developing short courses in digital media literacy and coding, which will be available to schools from September 2014.

Implementation of Junior Cycle where digital skills are embedded in the key skills, which in turn will form a part of each subject and short course specification.

Ongoing implementation of the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Strategy, in which there is a commitment to digital literacy.

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Ongoing revision of Senior Cycle curricula.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Young people’s ICT and digital skills developed and enhanced in schools and in out-of-school settings.

Implementation of National Youth Strategy

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

New subject specification for Junior Cycle Science to be introduced for boys and girls entering 1st Year in 2015.

Outcome of trialing of Senior Cycle Sciences to be available.

New Junior Cycle Science to be available in all schools.

Revision of Senior Cycle curricula embedding key skills. Elements of these key skills include digital ones such as presenting information using a range of ICTs. Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued support for young people’s ICT development and digital literacy through youth services and clubs.

2.8 Combat gender stereotyping in subject choices and promote the increased uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects by young women, both in school and in higher education.

DES

Develop National Youth Strategy Reform of Maths for boys and girls underway. Work on Junior Cycle Science and Senior Cycle Sciences underway. New Leaving Certificate Sciences to be trialed, particularly practical assessment, in order to be more relevant and attractive to both boys and girls.

Build on progress of 2015.

More students, both boys and girls, attracted to the STEM subjects.

Build on progress of 2014.

More third-level students, both male and female, in ICT-related courses.

The new ICT Skills Action Plan, 2014-2018 sets out an ambitious target of

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2.9 Implement a whole-school approach to health and well-being to bring about a cultural focus on well-being as a basis for effective learning, strengthening the collaboration between the education, health, youth and social sectors to provide multidisciplinary supports when problems arise.

DH DES, DCYA, HSE, Tusla

making Ireland a global leader in ICT Skills availability. One of the strategic priorities of the Plan is to increase female participation in higher education ICT Skills courses.

DES to continue to work with DH to:  implement the Healthy Ireland agenda;  to promote participation of primary and postprimary schools in the Health Promoting Schools Initiative.

DES to embed principle of ‘Wellbeing’ in schools’ Junior Cycle Programme.

Pilot evaluations of schools’ provision for children’s wellbeing.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implementation of ABC Programme

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Collate data on the number of schools participating in the Health Promoting Schools Initiative through the 2015 Lifeskills Survey.

Publish data on the number of schools participating in the Health Promoting Schools Initiative through publication of the results of the 2015 Lifeskills Survey.

The number of ‘Health Promoting Schools’ to have increased from the baseline of 40% of primary and 37% of post-primary schools that reported themselves to be participating in the 2012 Lifeskills Survey.

Principle of ‘Welbeing’ included in schools’ Junior Cycle Programme.

Implement evaluations of schools’ provision for children’s wellbeing.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Support cross-sectoral/ interagency collaboration through the National Youth Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implementation of ABC Programme

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Implement evaluations of schools’ provision for children’s wellbeing.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Support cross-sectoral/ interagency collaboration through the National Youth Strategy.

Identify key learning from ABC Programme in this area.

Principle of ‘Wellbeing’ to be embedded in schools’ Junior Cycle Programme.

Pilot evaluation of schools’ provision for children’s wellbeing completed. Ongoing programme of evaluation.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Cross-sectoral collaboration in area of health and wellbeing enabled through implementation of the National Youth Strategy.

Mainstream learning from ABC

Commitments

2.10 Ensure that equal

Lead and Partners

DES

treatment and equality are embedded into the Whole School Planning Development Process, for example, in mission and ethos, the curriculum, care and management of students and staff organisation, and staff development.

2.11 Support and link existing partnerships, strategies and initiatives that aim to improve the decision-making capacity of children and young people through strengthening selfesteem, resilience, responses to social and interpersonal pressure, health and media literacy (including social media literacy).

DH DES, DCYA, DCENR, HSE, Others as relevant

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

The concept of the ‘inclusive school’ is core to the education system and is a legislative requirement set out in Section 9(e) of the 1998 Education Act.

See 2014

See 2015

TBD

TBD

TBD

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Voices of young people central to assessment of quality standards in youth services.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Voices of young people central to assessment of quality standards in youth services.

Example of Partner Support (DCYA): Voices of young people central to assessment of quality standards in youth services.

Implementation of Participation Strategy.

Implementation of Participation Strategy.

Development of CYPSC having regard to participation of children and young people.

Development of CYPSC having regard to participation of children and young people.

Inspectors take account of the requirement on schools to be inclusive when evaluating school quality as part of the whole-school evaluation process.

Currently subject to discussion between DH and DCYA. Example of Partner support (DCENR): DCENR will positively engage with DH and partner Departments on media literacy elements.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Voices of young people central to assessment of quality standards in youth services.

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2017 Programme in this area.

The inclusive school to continue to be embedded in the Whole School Planning Development Process.

Implementation of Participation Strategy.

Development of CYPSC having regard to participation of children and young people.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

CPD needs of teachers and priorities of the education system continue to be addressed.

See 2015

CPD needs of teachers and priorities of the education system continue to be addressed.

Continued implementation of new arrangements for determining patronage for new schools, which places an emphasis on parental demand and diversity of provision.

Continued implementation of new arrangements for determining patronage for new schools, which places an emphasis on parental demand and diversity of provision.

In both categories, an increased number of multi-denominational schools in accordance with viable and sustainable parental demand.

Ongoing progression of the patronage divestment process.

Ongoing progression of the patronage divestment process.

Development of Participation Strategy.

2.12 Support Early Years practitioners, teachers and educators through the provision of continuous professional development, the establishment of peer learning networks and the development of teaching, learning and assessment activities that utilise new technology effectively.

2.13 Continue to expand the provision of multi-denominational schools where parental demand exists.

DES DCYA, DH, HSE, Local Gov

DES

Development of CYPSC having regard to participation of children and young people.

Continuous professional development (CPD) for teachers is well established, as are peer learning networks. There is no funding stream for CPD for Early Years practitioners.

Continued implementation of new arrangements for determining patronage for new schools, which places an emphasis on parental demand and diversity of provision.

Ongoing progression of the patronage divestment

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2.14 Build on existing

DES

data collection systems and, using the public service identifier, strengthen the collection of data and information on primary and post-primary pupils in order to inform future policy-making.

2.15 Ensure quality

DES

learning environments for all through the Schools Building Programme and improved access to information and communications technology.

2.16 Consider the recommendations of the review of the DEIS Programme and use it as a platform for the new initiatives to deliver better outcomes for students in disadvantaged areas.

DES

process.

Develop POD (the primary online database), which will collect information on over 540,000 primary pupils using the PPSN as the unique identifier. This will be populated during the academic year 2014/2015.

Meet accommodation needs in the Primary and Post-Primary sectors through implementation of 5-year plan for educational infrastructure.

Continue implementation of Schools Broadband Programme. Post-primary schools are the priority at present.

Report commissioned on consolidation of all research on DEIS to date, with recommendations for renewal of policy to tackle educational disadvantage.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

POD to become fully operational during 2015/2016 academic year.

Same as 2015

Improved data collation on primary pupils, which will inform future policy-making.

Continue to implement school building and school ICT infrastructure programme.

Continue to implement school building and school ICT infrastructure programme.

Educational infrastructure continues to meet pupil needs.

Report to be considered, with best practice being applied.

See 2015

Best practice in relation to educational disadvantage policy to continue to be applied.

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Continued expansion of access to high-speed Broadband for schools and centres of education within available resources.

Commitments

2.17 Provide opportunities for early school-leavers to engage with further education and training within the framework of youth and educational welfare services, Education and Training Boards and SOLAS.

2.18 Build on the cross-cutting arrangements in place between the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to enhance collaboration across the three sectors on children’s disability issues.

Lead and Partners

DES DCYA

DH DCYA, DES, HSE, NCSE

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Publish Further Education Strategy in 2014.

Actions in line with Further Education Strategy.

Actions in line with Further Education Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): promoted through the National Youth Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): promoted through the National Youth Strategy.

Implementation of the commitments in the Further Education Strategy that relate to 2014-2016.

The three Departments (DH, DES and DCYA) and their agencies will collaborate through the CST on Children’s Disabilities to identify and address key intersectoral policy and service issues re. in relation to services for children with a disability.

Build on progress of 2015.

Enhanced collaboration through the Cross Sectoral Team (CST) on Children’s Disabilities with the aim of identifying and addressing key intersectoral issues in order to improve the coordination of policies and services for children with a disability. These include:  Finalisation of Report of the Pre-Schools Sub-Group for CST re. integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-schools.  -National Education and Health Steering Group (sub-group of CST) established and 3-year work programme agreed

Subject to the Report of the Pre-Schools Sub-Group for CST being agreed and approved, the three Departments will ensure the implementation of their recommendations in order to improve the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-schools.

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Over this period, key intersectoral issues will be identified and addressed by the three Departments (DH, DES and DCYA) and their agencies to improve the coordination of policies and services for children with a disability through enhanced crosssectoral collaboration.

Substantial progress made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Pre-Schools Sub-Group for CST to improve the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-schools.

(Note: This is subject to the report being agreed and approved.)

Completion of 3-year agreed work programme of the National Education and Health Steering

Commitments

2.19 In the context of the Early Years Strategy, develop a plan for the inclusion of children with a disability in mainstream pre-school and Early Years settings.

2.20 Continue to provide timely access to educational and therapeutic supports for

Lead and Partners

DCYA DES, DH, HSE

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

to ensure more effective collaboration across the sectors, including supporting successful implementation of the HSE’s national programme on ‘Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18)’.

Scope the issues.

Ongoing implementation of the 3-year agreed work programme of the National Education and Health Steering Group, including support of implementation of HSE's programme on ‘Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18)’.

Complete audit of existing DH, DES and HSE supports, and develop agreed plan, identifying required extra resources.

Draft cross sectoral priority logic model Example of Partner support (DH): Finalisation of the Report of the Pre-Schools Sub-Group for Cross Sectoral Team (CST) re. integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-schools.

HSE DES, Tusla, DH, DCYA

Local Implementation Groups (LIGs) for Progressing Disability Services for Children and

2016

To be progressed via cross sectoral priority.

Example of Partner support (DH): Implementation of recommendations of Report of the Pre-Schools Sub-Group for CST in order to improve integration of children with disabilities into mainstream preschools.

All LIG Education and Health forums to implement recommendations of the

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What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 Group to ensure more effective collaboration fostered across the three sectors, including supporting the successful implementation of the HSE’s national Programme on ‘Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18)’.

Reconfigure support systems.

Example of Partner support (DH): Implementation of recommendations Report of the Pre-Schools Sub-Group for CST in order to improve integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-schools.

Education and Health forums to review effectiveness of implementation of

Integrated approach to support services for children with disabilities.

Example of Partner support (DH): Substantial progress made on the implementation of the recommendations of Report of the Pre-Schools Sub-Group for CST in order to improve integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-schools.

(Note: This is subject to the report being agreed and approved.)

Effective collaboration of Education and Health supporting children with a disability and their families accessing educational and

Commitments

Lead and Partners

children who are identified as having special needs.

2.21 Prepare and

DES

implement a plan, guided by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) policy advice, on how aspects of EPSEN (Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs) can be implemented, including prioritising access to an individual education plan and implementing the recommendations of the NCSE Working Group on a new resource allocation model for schools.

2.22 Strengthen social inclusion measures and re-invigorate efforts to improve educational outcomes among, and integration of, Travellers, Roma and migrant children and

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Young People to establish their Education and Health forums, including parent membership.

Framework for Collaborative Working between Education and Health.

therapeutic supports.

The DES has received the report of the Working Group and is currently giving careful consideration to its recommendations, the potential for implementation and the potential timeframe for doing so.

Dependent on 2014.

recommendations in the Framework for Collaborative Working between Education and Health.

Dependent on 2015.

Dependent on 2015.

Improved availability of data to facilitate the monitoring of education attainment and progression for Traveller, Roma and migrant children and young people.

New plan to be in place.

The DES has issued Circular 0030/2014 to clarify the purpose and scope of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme.

DES DCYA, DJE, DECLG, Local Gov

Continue implementation of the Report and Recommendations for a Traveller Education Strategy.

Revised Ethnic question is scheduled to be included on the Post-Primary Online Database from 2015/2016 academic year.

Participate in National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee and

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued support for

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Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued support for youth services for Travellers and other marginalised groups.

Example of Partner support (DCYA):

Commitments

young people, and all those with special needs, including gifted students, recognising an enhanced role for Early Years education in targeting these groups.

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

High Level Group on Travellers.

youth services for Travellers and other marginalised groups.

Monitor implementation of Intercultural Education Strategy, 2010-2015.

Participate in crossDepartmental group for development of a new Immigrant Integration Strategy, led by the DJE. Children with special educational needs are mainstreamed with additional supports.

Where educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.

Examine supports for gifted students under PfG, specifically the creation of improved links with thirdlevel institutions on a regional basis, to provide them with access to new programmes or educational resources.

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What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 Social inclusion of marginalised young people supported and enhanced through youth work provision.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2.23 Ensure quality education is available to all children and young people in detention, in hospital and in respite settings, and that additional supports are available to help them overcome gaps in their schooling.

DES DH, DCYA

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued support for youth services for Travellers and other marginalised groups.

Conduct inspections of schools at High Support Units, Special Care Units and Children Detention Centres on an annual basis.

The Education Strategy for the Children Detention School Service, 2010-2013 informs educational provision in the education facilities attached to these detention schools.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Review Education Strategy for the Children Detention School Service following the establishment of the single National Children Detention Facility and the detention of 16 and 17 year-old boys in Oberstown.

See 2015

Appropriate education and training available to children in detention to meet their individual needs and promote re-integration into society.

Establishment in 2014 of a National Children Detention Facility and the amalgamation of the education facilities in Oberstown.

Provide for educational provision in a hospital or medical centre, as a shortterm intervention, and continue to use the Home

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No change envisaged.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Development of monitoring framework/ database finalised.

Monitoring framework in place for all significant child care reports.

Monitoring framework in place for all significant child care reports.

Liaison with Performance Management Unit and operational units as required.

Link with Performance Framework and Tusla monitoring reports in place.

Link with Performance Framework and Tusla monitoring reports in place.

Systematic approach in place to embed learning from reviews into policy and legislative reform, with policy and legislative change reflecting key learning.

Prepare a review scoping document.

Initiate inter-departmental consultation.

Formulate draft Heads of Bill.

Commission any necessary research and complete internal consultation.

Initiate stakeholder/public consultation.

Input into review of Child Care Act 1991 as required, in particular in relation to Section 3 about abusers.

Tuition Scheme to provide for compensatory support to account for time missed from school.

3.1 Learn from

DCYA

investigations and reviews on child protection, implement relevant recommendations and continuously adapt policies and laws to ensure they meet required standards of child protection.

3.2 Review and reform, as necessary, the Child Care Act 1991.

DCYA

Input into scoping of review of Child Care Act 1991.

Synthesise and analyse inputs.

Agree outline of proposals and submit policy proposals to Government.

Input into review of Child Care Act 1991 as required, in particular in relation to Section 3 about abusers.

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Draft Bill submitted to Government for approval and published.

Commitments

3.3 Strengthen data

Lead and Partners

DCYA

capture to enhance knowledge and understanding of abuse and children’s experience of the Court system, through development of the National Child Care Information System and informed by the Child Care Law Reporting Project.

3.4 Improve the nature of Court proceedings, reducing the potentially negative impact on children through reform of the Courts and reducing the adversarial nature through the introduction of child-

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

2017

In relation to the Child Care Law Reporting Project:  Support project by way of accommodation and ongoing relationship with philanthropic funders.  Final report to be published.

Continued financial support of Project.

Roll-out of NCCIS completed.

Support dissemination of report on Care Law Reporting Project.

System learning from Child Care Law Reporting Project (and any similar future reporting mechanisms) timely and responsive, with a view to eliminating, to the greatest extent possible, identified gaps while supporting highlighted good practice.

Findings of report to be considered in the context of the proposed review of the Child Care Act 1991.

Learning and improved data capture informs future policy and legislative developments in respect of the Child Care Act 1991.

Findings of the report will be fed into Performance Statement and Performance Indicator development for subsequent years.

Standardised business processes in place across the system through NCCIS.

National Child Care Information System (NCCIS) testing in selected site completed; planning for national roll-out advanced.

DJE Courts Service

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

Significant reform of Family Court procedures and organisation underway, which will improve proceedings and will generally provide for a more user-friendly Court environment.

Final report of Project to be published.

Roll-out of NCCIS commenced.

Relevant legislation published.

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Implementation arrangements in place.

New Family Court in place.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

Tusla HSE, DCYA, DH, DES

Implement the Joint Protocol for Interagency Working between the HSE and Tusla.

Form working group to develop Multi-Agency Prioritisation Policy for Children in Care and prepare for sign-off by all partner agencies.

Implement Multi-Agency Prioritisation Policy for Children in Care and ensure all other access policies across partner agencies reflect this.

DCYA All

Enactment of Children First Bill, 2014 and associated revision of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011) to ensure consistency with the Act.

Continued management of implementation of Children First Act through:  the Children First Interdepartmental Group;  the DCYA Children First Oversight Group;  ongoing liaison with Tusla, Child and Family Agency.

Build on progress of 2015.

By 2017, children in care will have prioritised access to health, education and therapeutic services, and this will be underpinned by the Multi-Agency Prioritisation Policy for Children in Care and all other local, regional and national access policies.

Improvements to outcomes for children and young people at risk and in the child protection system.

friendly Court practice and encouraging greater use of mediation.

3.5 Prioritise access to health, education and therapeutic services for children in care.

3.6 Implement the Children First national guidance in full, including placing elements on a statutory footing, implementing sectoral plans, associated training and ensuring vetting requirements are met.

3.7 Introduce and enact the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, which will address in a comprehensive way the

Preparation of Commencement Orders for Act as required.

DJE

This will be supported by all partners.

Government decision to publish new standalone Protection Bill to address the protection determination element of this commitment.

Higher quality reports on harm being received by Tusla.

Greater awareness of child safeguarding in organisations.

This will be supported by all partners.

Publication, enactment and implementation of Bill during 2015.

Single procedure established in protection application determination

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Continued monitoring of administrative arrangements relating to operation of single procedure to ensure that time spent in Direct Provision is reduced.

Significant reduction in time spent by families, including children, in Direct Provision system.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 interaction of migrant children with the immigration system and should provide for a speedier and more efficient protection determination system that will shorten the time families, and in particular children, spend in the Direct Provision system.

3.8 Support efforts to limit exposure by children to ageinappropriate material (including material of a sexual or violent nature, online gambling, etc) on the Internet, including via smartphones.

3.9 Continue to promote best practice among retailers, the media and the entertainment industry with a view to interrupting the sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood; and where appropriate to introduce

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Further action will be informed by the report of the Implementation Group for the ICGAG report.

Further action will be informed by the report of the Implementation Group for the ICGAG report.

Enhanced and more robust governance of Internet content, including policy formation, regulation and legislation, ensuring safety for all online.

Establish working group to consider implications of report commissioned by DCYA on sexualisation and commercialisation (Kiely et al, 2015).

TBD

To establish whether current guidelines are proving adequate to meet parental concerns.

system.

Monitoring and analysis of median processing times for protection applications to ensure that time spent in Direct Provision is reduced.

DCENR DJE

Publication of the Report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group (ICGAG).

Establishment of an Implementation Group for the ICGAG report.

DCYA DJE, DJEI, DCENR

Scope with partners.

Example of Partner support (DCENR): DCENR will continue to engage positively with the DCYA and partner Departments on promoting media best practice in this area.

Develop Action Plan in response to report’s recommendations, including feasibility study into establishing online

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Example of Partner support (DCENR): DCENR will continue to engage positively with the DCYA and partner Departments on promoting media best practice in this area.

To have established a resource for parents and young people that enables them to get help and advice, and allows them to understand clearly their options for action when they have concerns.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 legislation and/or regulation to control or restrict inappropriate practices.

3.10 Provide effective and timely protection and support services, including therapeutic services for victims of abuse and crime.

3.11 Ensure perpetrators of abuse, including those under 18, receive effective therapeutic support with the aim of reducing recidivism.

3.12 Introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Annual Performance Statement and performance reporting will reflect priority of this area.

Adequate national service coverage, with good integration of hospital/GardaĂ­/social work/counselling and related therapy resources for victims of child sexual abuse.

Develop regional multiagency, multidisciplinary assessment and treatment services.

Further roll-out of regional assessment and treatment services.

By 2017, a service for children who exhibit sexually harmful behaviour will be accessible in all regions.

Develop Domestic Violence Bill and steer through Oireachtas to completion.

Monitor effects of the new legislation on domestic violence.

Have in place reformed domestic violence legislation that will provide improved protection to all victims of domestic violence.

resource for parents.

DCYA DH, DJE HSE, Tusla

Tusla HSE, Probation Service, DCYA, DH, DJE

DJE

Performance Framework and Performance Statement reflective of priorities in this area.

Ongoing monitoring of performance in respect of these areas of delivery.

Continue active participation by Tusla in national SORAM (Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Management) Project.

Appoint 4 Regional Coordinators for sexual abuse services.

Develop General Scheme of Consolidated Domestic Violence Bill.

Example of Partner support (DCENR): DCENR will continue to engage positively with DCYA and partner Departments on promoting media best practice in this area.

Annual Performance Statement and performance reporting will reflect priority of this area.

The aim is to publish the General Scheme of the

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation in a manner that provides protection to victims.

3.13 Support all efforts, including EU and international efforts, to combat child sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking in all contexts, including through support for an online filtering system in relation to blocking online child abuse material and measures targeted at reducing the abuse and exploitation of children and young people through prostitution and labour exploitation.

3.14 Ensure that an appropriate legal and policy framework is in place relating to child victims of trafficking, setting out the rights and entitlements of trafficked children, including provisions on

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Implement child trafficking actions as appropriate and as set out in the EU Strategy where they are relevant to Ireland.

Evaluate the effectiveness of measures introduced, having regard to developments at EU and international level.

Ensure that measures to protect child trafficking victims in Ireland are in line with EU and international best practice.

Continuation of Garda initiative on blocking websites containing child sexual abuse material.

Continuation of Garda initiative on blocking websites containing child sexual abuse material.

Implement actions in relation to child trafficking in Second National Action Plan (NAP), in close collaboration with An Garda SĂ­ochĂĄna and Tusla, Child and Family Agency.

Evaluate effectiveness of NAP actions in relation to child trafficking and amend if necessary.

reformed legislation in late 2014, with enactment in 2015.

DJE DJEI, DCENR, DCYA, AGS

Monitor child trafficking developments at EU and international level, having regard to the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings, 2012-2016.

New Garda initiative on blocking websites containing child sexual abuse material (child pornography) proposed to come into effect in 2014.

DJE DCYA, AGS, Tusla

Publish the Second National Action Plan (NAP) to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings.

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Reduction in the availability of child sexual abuse material (child pornography) on the Internet in Ireland.

Effective framework in place to protect and support victims of child trafficking.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

DJE DH, DCYA, AGS, HSE, Tusla

Develop Awarenessraising/Training Strategy as provided for in Second National Action Plan (NAP) to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings.

Roll-out training to frontline personnel (e.g. social workers, Gardaí).

Evaluate Awarenessraising/Training Strategy to ensure all front-line personnel are trained to identify and support victims of child trafficking.

Front-line personnel trained in identification of victims of child trafficking.

DCYA DH, DES, DECLG, DSP, DJE, HSE, Tusla, AGS

Aftercare planning and support (as outlined in Commitment G37) in relation to young people who have a history of episodic care and present as homeless.

Development, in conjunction with Performance and Governance Division, of appropriate set of performance indicators.

Annual Performance Statement and performance reporting will reflect priority of this area.

Service improvements for young people in receipt of aftercare, well supported by a range of State services in accordance with assessed needs.

care, accommodation and safeguarding.

3.15 Have in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure the identification of all child victims of trafficking. Such mechanisms involve competent statutory and non-statutory agencies/bodies, health practitioners and social workers.

3.16 Provide an integrated and comprehensive service response to children under 18 presenting as out of home (as for all children in care) in keeping with the findings and recommendations of the Review of the Implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy.

Performance Framework and Performance Statement reflective of priorities in this area.

Ongoing monitoring of performance in respect of these areas of delivery.

Definition of ‘youth homelessness’ to be

Monitor progress of planning and service response for aftercare.

Performance indicators developed.

Annual Performance Statement and performance reporting will reflect priority of this area.

Improved data on the achievement of key outcomes for this cohort of young people in receipt of aftercare are well supported by State services in accordance with their needs.

Definition of “youth homelessness” to be examined as to its

Maintain reduction in numbers of those under 18 presenting as homeless and improved

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Commitments

3.17 Reform aspects of

Lead and Partners

DJE

family law, including the law on guardianship, to create a legal structure to underpin diverse parenting situations and provide legal clarity on parental rights and duties in diverse family forms.

3.18 Develop a National Framework for Anti-Bullying, taking a community-wide approach to tackling bullying from childhood through to adulthood.

3.19 Continue to promote best practice by social media providers with respect to privacy controls and

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

examined as to its applicability.

applicability.

Recommendations arising from Review of the Implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy to be explored with relevant agencies.

Publish Children and Family Relationships Bill.

2016

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 integration of State supports in respect of accommodation for those young people leaving care who need that support.

Improvements in outcomes for young people exiting care in terms of their accommodation status.

Children and Family Relationships Bill enacted in early 2015.

Commence legislative process.

DCYA All

To be scoped.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

DCENR DJE

Publication of the Report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group (ICGAG).

Establish a crossGovernment Anti-Bullying Oversight Group to monitor implementation of the various strands of antibullying policy and identify and disseminate good practice.

Further action will be informed by the report of the Implementation Group for the ICGAG Report.

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Undertake a review of the effectiveness of antibullying policy (DCYA-led with partner departments).

An effective and coherent response to bullying, with clear action pathways where required.

Further action will be informed by the report of the Implementation Group for the ICGAG Report.

Enhanced and more robust governance of Internet content, including policy formation, regulation and legislation, ensuring safety for all online.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 reporting mechanisms for abuse/bullying so as to better protect children online.

3.20 Tackle youth crime and divert children and young people from crime and anti-social behaviour through engaging with young people in the community and other proven effective interventions, with a view to changing shortand long-term behaviour patterns of youth offending. Use a coherent range of community and criminal sanctions to reduce offending.

3.21 Build and open a new National Children Detention Facility and end the practice of accommodating 17year-old boys in adult prison facilities.

Complete the reforms of the Children Detention Schools, monitor

2015

2016

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

Establishment of an Implementation Group for the ICGAG report.

DJE DCYA, AGS, Probation Service

The Tackling Youth Crime – Youth Justice Action Plan, 2014-2018, published in early 2014, is part of the National Crime Strategy. Relevant actions will be pursued during the lifetime of the Plan, to include action on tackling youth crime in the community.

Implement Youth Justice Action Plan, 2014-2018.

Build on progress of 2015.

DCYA

Complete 1st phase of National Children Detention Facility (NCDF) project on time.

Complete integration of 3 Children Detention Schools into one campus.

Continue to monitor outcomes for children post-detention.

National Children Detention Facility project complete, with all units open and fully operational.

Enact amendments to the Children Act 2001.

Complete final phase of NCDF on time and open all units.

Cease the practice of using the prison system for all children under the age of 18.

Remove all juveniles up to the age of 18 years from St. Patrick’s Institution,

Commence monitoring outcomes for children post-detention.

Begin to generate and publish statistical reports of outcomes for children post-detention.

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 outcomes for children in and post-detention, and ensure a robust independent inspection, complaints and investigation system operates within the Children Detention Schools.

3.22 Ensure adequate access by children to an imprisoned parent, in a child-friendly setting.

3.23 All national public awareness strategies on safety, and accident and injury prevention, including road, water and farm safety, will incorporate and target children and young people.

3.24 Take appropriate measures to protect young people from gambling-related risks.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Implement action plan for Limerick Prison to enhance the visiting experience for children and families.

Subject to funding, apply what has been learnt in Limerick Prison to make the visiting experience in other prisons as child and familyfriendly as possible.

Enhanced visiting arrangements for families and children to prisons, which have as their aim the maintenance and development of child–parent attachment.

Implementation of Child Injury Prevention Action Plan.

Coordination and more effective working between agencies and stakeholders in preventing childhood injury.

Appropriate regulatory structure, as provided for in the legislation, to be in place.

An appropriate regulatory structure to protect young people from the risks associated with gambling in place and fully operational, with appropriate inspections of operators taking place.

and cease its use for offenders aged under 18.

Develop statistical reports to monitor outcomes for children post-detention.

DJE Irish Prison Service/ Probation Service/ NGOs

DCYA All

To be scoped.

To be scoped, based on returns from partners.

Evaluate the impact of the actions taken.

A Child Injury Prevention Action Plan developed by the DCYA and DH.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

DJE DTTS, DJEI, DCENR, Local Gov

The Gambling Control Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government. This will put in place protections for young people,

The Gambling Control Bill is due to be published and potentially enacted during 2015.

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Continue to implement a multidimensional, wholeof-government approach to child poverty.

As per 2015

Additional actions will be in place to address child poverty on a whole-of-government basis.

particularly in relation to online gambling.

4.1 Adopt a multidimensional approach to tackling child poverty, building on the lifecycle approach in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion, 2007-2016 and informed by the European Commission’s Recommendation on ‘Investing in children: Breaking the cycle of disadvantage’, as part of the Social Investment Package.

DSP DF, DPER, DH, DES, DCYA, Tusla, HSE

Example of Partner support (DCENR): DCENR will engage with DJE on relevant commitments on publication of the Gambling Control Bill.

Host a seminar on child poverty in conjunction with the European Commission to consider a multidimensional approach to tackling child poverty; examine relevant EU policy instruments; and look at best practice in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Example of Partner support (DH): Healthy Ireland will support implementation of the multidimensional approach to tackle child health inequalities.

Example of Partner support (DH): Engage with cross-sectoral partners to oversee the implementation of the Outcomes Framework, thereby supporting an objective assessment of the impacts of Healthy Ireland and help partners in wider government and society prioritise their actions towards improving health and wellbeing.

The Healthy Ireland Outcomes Framework will identify key indicators and

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implement Area Based

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Example of Partner support (DH): Build on progress of 2014 and 2015.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Identify key learning from ABC Programme in this area.

Initial findings from ABC Programme to indicate effective interventions which enhance children’s outcomes.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Mainstream learning from ABC Programme in this area.

Commitments

4.2 Set a national childspecific social target to lift over 70,000 children out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level. This target will include reducing the higher consistent poverty rate for households with children as compared to non-child households (8.8% compared with 4.2%) and for children as compared to adults (9.3% compared with

Lead and Partners

DSP DCYA, DH, DES, Tusla, HSE

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

targets related to health and wellbeing and will contain indicators describing health and wellbeing disparities across and within population groups.

Childhood (ABC) Programme.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Implement Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme and work closely with DSP on this theme.

Monitor and report on progress on the childspecific poverty target in the Social Inclusion Monitor and other relevant reports.

Further examine the links between low work intensity and child poverty.

Draft cross sectoral priority logic model Example of Partner support (DH): The Healthy Ireland

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Monitor and report on progress on the childspecific poverty target and supporting indicators in the Social Inclusion Monitor and other relevant reports.

Monitor and report on progress on the childspecific poverty target and supporting indicators in the Social Inclusion Monitor and other relevant reports.

Reduction in child poverty in line with the target.

To be progressed via cross sectoral priority.

Example of Partner support (DH): Build on progress of 2014 and 2015.

Example of Partner support (DH): Engage with cross-sectoral partners to oversee the implementation of the Outcomes Framework, thereby supporting an objective assessment of

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

6%).

4.3 Determine the

DSP

optimal design of child and family income supports to maximise their effectiveness and efficiency in reducing child poverty, while improving employment incentives.

4.4 Reform the OneParent Family Payment Scheme so that lone parents have access to a range of supports and services designed to provide them with pathways to work while acknowledging their caring responsibilities.

DSP

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

Outcomes Framework will identify key indicators and targets related to health and wellbeing and will contain indicators describing health and wellbeing disparities across and within population groups.

Finalise the fourth Report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare and consider recommendations relevant to the reform of child and family income support policy.

the impacts of Healthy Ireland and help partners in wider government and society prioritise their actions towards improving health and wellbeing.

Continue implementation of reductions in the age threshold on a yearly basis and support move to the Jobseeker’s Allowance payment, including the transitional arrangement and other income supports as appropriate.

Previous recipients of One-Parent Family (OFP) payments who move to a normal Jobseeker’s Allowance payment will be

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

Assess recommendations of Report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare.

Actions dependent on recommendations in Report of the Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare.

Improved effectiveness and efficiency of Child and Family Income Supports in reducing child poverty.

Continue the implementation of the reductions in the age threshold on a phased basis each year and support move to the Jobseeker’s Allowance payment, including the transitional arrangement and other income supports as appropriate. This involves transitioning approximately 41,158 customers from the OFP scheme to other income

Complete the implementation of the reductions in the age threshold and support move to the Jobseeker’s Allowance payment, including the transitional arrangement and other income supports as appropriate.

All recipients of OPF payments in 2017 will have a youngest child under 7 years of age. Recipients will continue to be transitioned to the Jobseeker’s Allowance payment, including the transitional arrangement and other income supports as appropriate.

107

Continue to activate previous OFP recipients who move to a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment and

All former OFP recipients who move to a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment will be selected for activation and gain access to all available educational and employment supports to help

Commitments

4.5 Reform labour market activation initiatives so that they actively promote progression into the labour market.

Lead and Partners

DSP Local Gov, DECLG, DES, DJEI, DPER, DoT

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

selected for activation and receive access to all available educational/ employment supports to move them back into the workforce.

supports as appropriate.

provide the necessary education/employment supports to move them into the workforce.

them back into the workforce.

Report quarterly updates on implementation of action points of Pathways to Work.

No targets under Pathways to Work have as yet been set beyond 2015.

Previous OFP recipients on the Jobseeker’s Allowance transitional arrangements will receive a one-to-one meeting with a Case Officer who will guide them through the available education and employment supports to move them into the workforce.

Comprehensive reform programme published in Pathways to Work 2013, with quarterly published updates on implementation of 50 action points.

Reporting of quarterly updates on Pathways to Work’s 50 action points to Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs.

Given the large numbers leaving the scheme in 2015, the process for activating previous OFP recipients now on a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment will need to be integrated into the wider activation processes and targets. These recipients will be activated and given access to the necessary employment/educational supports to move them into the workforce.

Report quarterly updates on implementation of action points of Pathways to Work.

Example of Partner support (DJEI): Improving engagement with employers and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training programmes are key aspects for improved progression into the labour

108

(Note: There are savers for recently bereaved and customers in receipt of DCA where payment of OFP can continue beyond 7 years of age.)

Example of Partner support (DJEI): Progression outcomes (to employment, self-employment, further or higher education) for the various initiatives should be available to all stakeholders.

There should be a clear labour market justification for activation initiatives.

Commitments

4.6 Remove barriers to employment through increasing the affordability of quality and accessible childcare and after-school services, meeting EU childcare targets and encouraging flexible working arrangements.

Lead and Partners

DCYA DSP, DPER, DJEI

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

Pathways to Work 2014 is currently in preparation for consideration by Government and subsequent publication.

market.

Example of Partner support (DJEI): As part of Pathways to Work, the DSP and DJEI have agreed protocols in place with the Enterprise Agencies to maximise the recruitment of appropriately skilled people from the Live Register By Enterprise Agency client companies.

Complete review of targeted childcare support schemes.

Develop national approach in Early Years Strategy.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

TBD

TBD

Future of the scheme in its current form will depend on the outcome of the DCYA review.

Future of the scheme in its current form will depend on the outcome of the DCYA review.

Improved affordability of childcare, in particular for lower income families.

Review and improve the joint initiative to provide subsidised after-school childcare places for lowincome families who enter employment.

109

Future of the scheme in its current form will depend on the outcome of the DCYA review.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Project to be completed in Q4, 2015.

Not applicable

Not applicable

The statutory bodies (ORAC and Refugee Appeals Tribunal) will

Continued monitoring of processing arrangements for all children’s

The new Protection Bill (as referred to in Commitment 3.7) will provide, inter alia, for the

Review the effectiveness of the approach in the context of the wider review of childcare schemes due to be carried out by DCYA in 2014.

4.7 Progress the Social

DECLG

Impact Investment pilot project for homeless families with children in the Dublin region and consider its application nationally as part of implementing a housing-led approach to end long-term homeless for all homeless families with children.

4.8 Promote the child protection and welfare

DJE DCYA, Tusla

Implementation of the Social Impact Investment project has been commenced. Presently, over 80 of the 136 identified families involved have been engaged with by Focus Ireland. Suitable alternative accommodation has been provided for this first group of families and work is ongoing to sustain them in their new tenancies.

Comprehensive guidelines in relation to how the Refugee Appeals Tribunal

110

Commitments

of all children in the asylum system.

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

deals with children/minors who are in the asylum appeal process are currently being developed and expected to be published by end 2014.

continue to review how the asylum claims of children, and in particular separated children, are processed in the context of the planned introduction of a single protection procedure in 2015 (see Commitment 3.7).

applications.

introduction of a single application procedure for the investigation of all grounds for protection and any other grounds presented by applicants seeking to remain in the State. This re-organisation of the protection application processing framework should substantially simplify and streamline the existing arrangements by removing the current multilayered and sequential processes and provide applicants with a final decision on their application in a more ‘straightforward’ and timely fashion. When implemented, it is expected the new arrangements will significantly reduce the amount of time spent by applicants (including child applicants) in the asylum process and by extension the time spent by applicants in the Direct Provision system. Refer to Commitment 3.7 for current status of the Protection Bill.

The regulatory framework and administrative arrangements currently in place between Tusla, ORAC and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal are directed at ensuring the protection and welfare of all children while their applications for international protection are being investigated by the statutory bodies responsible.

Implementation and monitoring of guidelines.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) has been engaged in a revision of its Child Protection Policy to make it more user-friendly. The final draft document is with Tusla for observations and will shortly be published on the RIA website and a

111

Continued monitoring of guidelines/best practice.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

4.9 Implement and monitor the National Travellers/Roma Integration Strategy, with a particular focus on Traveller accommodation and the engagement of Roma in education.

4.10 Develop child and youth-friendly communities through Local Government adopting appropriate

DJE DH, DES, DCYA, Local Gov

training process begun. It is expected that the document will be agreed later in 2014 and training commenced shortly.

To be scoped.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Coordinate across Government the feedback to European Commission in relation to implementation of the National Travellers/ Roma Integration Strategy and attend National Contact Point meetings.

Build on progress of 2015.

Improved cross-Government and interagency collaboration and coordination in the provision of quality services to the Traveller community, including Traveller children.

Continued monitoring as per 2015.

Development Plans/Local Area Plans will contain objectives for the provision, or facilitation of the provision, of services for the community, including in particular

Support the effective functioning of both the High Level Group on Travellers and the National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee to facilitate coordinated delivery of services and supports to the Traveller community.

DECLG DTTS, Local Gov

Continue to monitor Development Plans/Local Area Plans of Local Authorities to ensure they contain objectives for the

Engage with the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee.

Continued monitoring as per 2014.

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Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 policies and objectives in County/City Development Plans and further supported by the preparation and issuing of National Guidelines on Planning for Child-friendly Communities.

4.11 Promote vocational education and training through the Educational Training Boards, encouraging the development of entrepreneurship skills among young people, promoting the development of in-school internship programmes and strengthening the links between local businesses, schools and youth organisations.

4.12 Develop and implement an action plan to support youth employment, including the EU Youth Guarantee, and having regard to the

2015

2016

provision, or facilitation of the provision, of services for the community, including in particular for the needs of children and young people.

DES DCYA, Local Gov

Implement the recommendations in the Further Education and Training Strategy, 2014-2019, which include strengthening the links with industry and promoting entrepreneurial skills.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Progress relevant DCYA actions in Action Plan for Jobs.

DSP DCYA, DES, DJEI, DECLG, DJE, DPER

Publish the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan (YGIP) for gradual implementation over the coming years.

Develop quarterly reports

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017 for the needs of children and young people.

Continue to implement the Further Education and Training Strategy.

Continue to implement the Further Education and Training Strategy.

Progress made in implementing the Further Education and Training Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continue to promote and support linkages between local businesses, schools and youth organisations through the youth sector.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continue to promote and support linkages between local businesses, schools and youth organisations through the youth sector.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Linkages between local businesses, schools and youth organisations through the youth sector promoted and supported.

Continued implementation of defined actions in YGIP, to include monitoring and quarterly reports.

Continued implementation of defined actions in YGIP, to include monitoring and quarterly reports.

No targets beyond 2015 have been set under the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan.

Carry out a major review of implementation before the end of 2015.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued support for

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Example of Partner support (DCYA): System for recognition of core competencies of young people

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 development of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities and how it applies to those young people under 25 years of age.

4.13 Draw on the strengths and reach of youth work services and local development companies in working with public agencies and employers to promote the training, employment and entrepreneurship of young people.

using macro-level indicators developed from analysis of QNHS Labour Force Survey Data and DSP administrative data.

DCYA DES, DSP, DECLG, Local Gov

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Improve youth employability through development of key competencies and skills acquired through youth work.

2014-2016: In line with Action Plan for Jobs and in collaboration with relevant Departments, meet commitments to do with youth work sector and proposed new entrepreneurship fund.

Development of the National Youth Strategy.

Example of Partner support (DSP): Gradual implementation of the Youth Guarantee, including:  Launch of JobsPlus for Youth.

2015 Example of Partner support (DCYA): Continued support for youth sector to develop key competencies through youth work and commence development of recognition processes for these competencies.

Support programmes, links with local development companies, mobility and learning opportunities to increase youth employability, and exploring EU funding for a youth employability initiative.

Progress youth employability initiative (subject to resources), facilitate links between youth work sector and local development companies, promote mobility and learning opportunities to increase

114

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

youth sector to develop key competencies through youth work and further development of recognition of skills.

through youth work developed.

In context of implementation of National Youth Strategy, work with relevant partners to ensure youth work services inform training, employment and entrepreneurship plans.

Structures in place, in context of National Youth Strategy Implementation Plan so that youth work services are linked with local development companies and relevant bodies in youth training, employment and entrepreneurship.

Example of Partner support (DSP): The continued roll-out of the Youth Guarantee.

Example of Partner support (DSP): Delivery of the Youth Guarantee, such that:  Young people under the age of 18 who have left the school system without completing secondary education, and who have failed to find employment, will be provided with quality

Commitments

4.14 Support young people building businesses and livelihoods in the rural economy, such as in farming, fishing, forestry, food, hospitality and tourism.

Lead and Partners

DAFM DECLG, DJEI, DTTS

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

 Launch of a Developmental Internship for the most disadvantaged young people in the 18-25 age group.  Modification of the Intreo process to ensure more intensive engagement with young people.  Allocation of additional places on training and employment programmes for under-25s.

Development of both the Local Enterprise Offices and Local Enterprise Plans with emphasis on enterprise, business startups and jobs and the Local Economic and Development Plans by Local Authorities to address community and local development response to employment and social enterprise.

youth employability.

Implementation of:  CEDRA report.  Priority actions

2016

In context of implementation of National Youth Strategy, promote the voluntary youth work sector in accessing the proposed new Youth Programme and the Youth Entrepreneurship Fund.

Example of Partner support (DSP): The continued roll-out of the Youth Guarantee.

Implement supports for young farmers under the CAP and RDP Develop financial and administrative measures to facilitate development of collaborative farming and transfers to younger persons, Teagasc will continue to develop its agricultural educational and training programmes, inc financial and business modules to help younger farmers build and expand their

115

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017









Implement all enterprise development measures in the new 2025 Agrifood Strategy to support younger people in rural areas Continue to implement supports for young farmers under the CAP and RDP Implement financial and administrative measures to facilitate development of collaborative farming and transfers to

 



‘second-chance’ educational/ training pathways outside the school system (such as Youthreach) or be supported in re-entering the school system.

Young people aged 18-24 who become unemployed (whether on loss of a job or while seeking a first employment) and register with an Intreo office, and who subsequently remain unemployed for 4 months, will be provided with assistance to secure work or alternatively with a quality offer of training, education or work experience.

Improved level of farm transfers to younger people increased participation by younger persons in farming businesses Local Economic and Community Development Plans in operation and supporting young people/entrepreneurs in rural areas

Commitments

5.1 Support youth organisations to provide safe, supportive and developmental opportunities for young people and to provide quality-assured information and support

Lead and Partners

DCYA DH Citizens Information Board Youth organisations

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

directed at young people under the national policy statement on entrepreneurship, e.g.

Young Entrepreneur Award Scheme and Student Entrepreneur Awards.  Supports for young farmers (under 35) under the Common Agricultural Policy and the draft Rural Development Programme.  Teagasc Rural Economy and Development Programme.  BIM Seafood Development Programme.  Foodworks.  Food Academy.

Continued support for youth service provision, both universal and targeted.

livelihood.

DAFM to implement a pilot entrepreneur programme for females in rural areas

Explore with stakeholders what measures are required to ensure relevant quality-assured

2016

Continue support for youth service provision, including preparatory work on the redevelopment of existing targeted youth programmes to ensure responsive and relevant youth services.

116



What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

younger persons, Teagasc will continue to develop its agricultural educational and training programmes, including financial and business modules to help younger farmers build and expand their livelihood.

Continued support for universal and targeted youth service provision, including finalisation of targeted youth programme.

Develop approach to ensure that young people have access to the information

Programmes and policies in place to ensure young people have access to safe, supportive and developmental opportunities provided by voluntary youth organisations.

Measures in place to ensure quality-assured youth information

Commitments

Lead and Partners

responding to young people’s needs, both online and within the community, on issues of mental health, substance misuse, relationships, sexual health, education and employment.

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

2016

2017

information is available to young people, including consideration of the role of Youth Information Centres.

Consider outcome of the exploration of youth information provision and any proposals made, and the role of Youth Information Centres in the context of young people’s information needs.

they require.

provision.

Develop National Youth Strategy Example of Partner support (DH): Partners to work with DCYA and other stakeholders in the provision of qualityassured information and support, and through the Healthy Ireland Framework, will help raise awareness and promote healthy lifestyle choices among the public by understanding and acknowledging the broad causes of ill-health and by devising targeted, intersectoral public information strategies and actions to address them.

5.2 Promote and

DCYA

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

Publish the National Sexual Health Strategy.

Continued support for

Implement National Youth Straetgy Example of Partner support (DH): Build on progress of 2014 and 2015.

Implement National Youth Strategy Example of Partner support (DH): Health & Wellbeing Programme, through the Healthy Ireland Cross Sectoral Group, will continue to collaborate to ensure the ongoing implementation of various intersectoral strategies, guidelines and programmes already in place or under development.

Build on progress of 2014.

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Build on progress of 2015.

Young people’s active citizenship

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 recognise young people’s active citizenship and engagement in democratic processes, participation in social and environmental activism and innovation, volunteering and social entrepreneurship, including promoting voter registration in elections by all newly eligible voters.

5.3 Ensure the views

DECLG, DJEI

before the end of 2015

2016

Implement National Youth Strategy

Implement National Youth Strategy

Implement Participation Strategy.

Implement Participation Strategy.

Promote volunteering and mobility initiatives provided by Léargas through the EU Erasmus Programme of student exchange and Youthpass.

DCYA

Develop Participation Strategy Establish Terms of Reference for Comhairle na nÓg National Executive (formerly Dáil na nÓg Council) and the National Policy Framework (NPF).

Refine mechanism for Consortium engagement with young people on the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group.

DECLG Referendum

Develop an Amendment of the Constitution (Voting

2017 and engagement in the democratic process supported.

Increased take-up by young people of volunteering and mobility opportunities provided by the EU Erasmus Programme of student exchange and their participation and learning validated through Youthpass.

Implement National Youth Strategy

Develop National Youth Strategy

presented by children and young people in participatory forums and consultations are taken into account by the formal political and policy-making process, and that feedback to the young people is always provided in return.

5.4 Hold a referendum

citizenship programmes and initiatives provided by the youth work sector and An Gaisce, the President’s Award.

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

Implement Participation Strategy.

Further develop relationships between Comhairle na nÓg National Executive, the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group and the political and policy-making process.

Further develop relationships between Local Authorities, Children and Young People’s Services Committees, local Comhairle na nÓg and the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group.

Comhairle na nÓg and the young people on the EU Structured Dialogue Working Group are engaged in informing the implementation of the NPF and participating in political and policy-making process.

When and if the Bill is passed by the Oireachtas,

Dependent on outcome in 2015.

Dependent on outcome in 2015.

118

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

2015

on a proposal to amend the Constitution to reduce the voting age to 16.

Commission (when established)

Age) Bill.

5.5 Develop and

DES

National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development to be published in Q3, 2014.

hold a referendum on the proposal in the Amendment of the Constitution (Voting Age) Bill.

Implementation of National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development.

‘Politics and Society’ to be introduced as an optional Leaving Certificate subject.

‘Politics and Society’ to be introduced as an optional Leaving Certificate subject.

Ireland has robust antidiscrimination legislation already in place. Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act will be amended to ensure that LGBT people are not dissuaded from taking up employment in Statefunded schools, etc.

The newly established Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, with enhanced resources of finance and staff, will have the capacity to extend its Human Rights Training Programme to public servants and to support public bodies to put human rights and equality at the heart of what they do.

implement a National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development and deepen and strengthen the teaching of civics and human rights.

5.6 Reduce discrimination and intolerance of all types experienced by marginalised groups (i.e.

Travellers, Roma, migrants and asylumseekers; children and young people with disabilities; those in care and detention; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people; and those from ethnic or religious minorities).

DJE DES, DH, DSP, DCYA, HSE, Tusla, Local Gov, Others as relevant

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will be established in 2014.

A Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence Policy – agreed between the

The Equality Tribunal will form part of the new Workplace Relations Commission, so as to provide a more effective redress service.

119

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

As 2015

First National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development published. Actions relating to the period 2014-2016 to be implemented or underway.

Continued implementation and monitoring of Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence Policy.

Example of Partner support (DH): Build on progress of 2014 and 2015.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Equality and inclusiveness in youth work promoted through National Youth Strategy and DCYA quality standards initiatives.

‘Politics and Society’ to be introduced as an optional Leaving Certificate subject.

A strengthened Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission that provides effective assistance to people whose rights have been transgressed.

Continued implementation and monitoring of Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence Policy.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Equality and inclusiveness in youth work promoted through National Youth Strategy and DCYA quality standards initiatives.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) and NGOs such as AkidWa and Ruhama, and the UNHCR – will be implemented early in 2014, following a training programme for staff and residents. An information poster, already distributed to all RIA centres, is available in 5 languages (including English) and provides information on accessing professional help if residents have suffered or are suffering from domestic, sexual or gender-based violence or harassment.

Example of Partner support (DH): The development of an Outcomes Framework will provide evidence to support an objective assessment of the impacts of Healthy Ireland. In terms of addressing and reducing health inequalities, the Outcomes Framework will contain

2015

2016

Continued implementation and monitoring of Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence Policy.

Example of Partner support (DH): Ongoing engagement with cross-sectoral partners to oversee the implementation of the Outcomes Framework, thereby supporting an objective assessment of the impacts of Healthy Ireland and help partners in wider government and society prioritise their actions towards reducing health inequalities within population groups.

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Equality and inclusiveness in youth work promoted through National Youth Strategy and DCYA quality standards initiatives.

120

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2017

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will extend its Human Rights Training Programme to public servants and support public bodies to put human rights and equality at the heart of what they do.

Continued implementation and monitoring of policies and practices on human rights and equality.

A public sector that sees tackling discrimination and human rights abuses as core functions.

indicators describing health and wellbeing disparities across and within population groups.

5.7 Ensure the ethos, policies and practices of Government institutions and State-funded services (including schools) promote equal treatment and interculturalism, and have measures to protect against and remedy all forms of discrimination.

DJE All

Example of Partner support (DCYA): Equality and inclusiveness in youth work promoted through National Youth Strategy and DCYA quality standards initiatives.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill will introduce a positive duty on public bodies to have due regard to equality and human rights issues in their work.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act was enacted in July 2014.

This will be supported by all partners.

This will be supported by all partners.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was established on 1st November 2014.

5.8 Ensure that

DCYA

This will be supported by all partners.

Legislation that affects

Legislation that affects

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Legislation that affects

Improved reflection/

Commitments

Lead and Partners

Ireland’s laws, policies and practice are compliant with the principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols that Ireland has ratified.

All

5.9 Provide children

DCYA DES, DH, DJE

and young people with access to a remedy if there is a breach of their rights and promote knowledge of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) and the Equality Tribunal.

5.10 Clarify the law in relation to a child and young person’s right to know his or her identity (e.g. where adopted or where born through the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies) and put in place mechanisms to collect and retain information necessary

DJE DCYA, DH

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2014

2015

2016

2017

children should have regard to the need to make explicit references to the position of children.

children should have regard to the need to make explicit references to the position of children.

children should have regard to the need to make explicit references to the position of children.

acknowledgement of the rights of children enshrined in national law having regard to the Irish Constitutional framework.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

This will be supported by all partners as appropriate.

Review points of engagement with children and young people to establish whether there is appropriate information on access to remedy if there is a breach of their rights and, within this context, that knowledge of functions of the OCO and Equality Tribunal are promoted.

To be scoped with relevant partners.

Revise as appropriate all relevant public information forms and guidance on exercise of rights in order to inform on remedies available and promote knowledge of the OCO and Equality Tribunal.

Ensure procedures are in place requiring that all future points of engagement with children and young people include, as standard, information on access to appropriate remedies. Ensure in particular that this commitment is expressed in Customer Service Charters and action plans.

TBD

DJE: The Children and Family Relationships Bill includes provisions for a donor-conceived child to know his or her identity.

TBD Example of Partner support (DCYA): Work in Consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and relevant stakeholders on the preparation of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill, that will provide for structured and

122

All points of engagement with children and young people (including forms, leaflets, websites, Customer Service Charters and action plans) provide clear, accessible, plain English guidance on access to remedies if there is a breach of their rights and promote knowledge of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) and the Equality Tribunal.

TBD

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 to enable a child to exercise their right to identity and to facilitate regular family access for children in care.

5.11 Implement the principles underpinning the provisions of the Thirty-first Amendment to the Constitution on Children through legislative reform, support for judicial studies and the training and development of staff.

5.12 Drive reform in the youth justice area through implementation of Tackling Youth Crime – A Youth Justice Action Plan, 2014-2018, focusing on diversion and rehabilitation, including greater use of community-based

DCYA DJE, Tusla

To be further considered.

DCYA DJE

Implement a range of actions in partnership with community-based organisations, the criminal justice system and the DCYA and DJE. Remove all juveniles up to the age of 18 years from St. Patrick’s Institution, and cease its use for

2015

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2016

2017

TBD

TBD

As 2014

As 2014

Complete final phase of NCDF on time and open all units.

Continue to monitor outcomes for children post-detention.

NCDF project fully complete, with all units open and fully operational.

regulated access to information and tracing services for those affected by adoption. The proposed bill will also provide for access to adoption information for adopted persons, birth parents and others, as far as possible, within the legal and constitutional restraints.

Actions dependent on outcome in 2015 of legal challenges to Children’s referendum result.

Commence monitoring outcomes for children post-detention.

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Cease the practice of using the prison system for all children under 18.

Begin to generate and publish statistical reports of outcomes for children post-detention.

Commitments

Lead and Partners

What is the key action in each year to deliver this commitment?

2014 interventions, promoting initiatives to deal with young people who offend, providing a safe and secure environment for detained young people and supporting their early re-integration into the community.

5.13 Work with children and young people to help them contribute to their own community and safety, ensuring a positive relationship between An Garda SĂ­ochĂĄna, children and young people.

What do we want to have achieved by 2017? (mid-point)

2015

2016

2017

Roll-out of the programmes on Internet Safety and Cyber-bullying for Teachers, Parents and the Community.

Develop child-friendly crime prevention material using existing social media platforms.

Progress Garda Schools Programmes, Internet Safety and Cyber-bullying for Teachers, Parents and the Community.

offenders aged under 18.

Develop statistical reports to monitor outcomes for children post-detention.

AGS DCYA, DES

Complete Phase 1 of the National Children Detention Facility (NCDF) project.

Delivery of the Garda Schools Programmes (to primary and secondary schools).

Example of Partner Support (DCYA): In the context of the implementation of the National Youth Strategy the availability of safe places for children and young people to socialiise and progress with peers will be supported.

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Develop child-friendly crime prevention material.

2. Reporting template Commitments

Lead and Partners

Action

Action Status

Commitment Status

Transformational Goal 1: Support Parents

G1 Develop a high-level

DCYA

policy statement on Parenting and Family Support to guide the provision of universal evidence-informed parenting supports. This should address parental and familial factors impacting on parenting capacity and family functioning (e.g. mental health and substance abuse) and identify responses required for ‘at risk’ children, families and communities.

G2 Ensure planning and coordination of parenting supports at local level through Children’s Services Committees [since renamed Children and Young People’s Services Committees].

Tusla, DCYA, DJE, HSE, Local Gov

Draft and publish the high-level policy statement.

Tusla representation on all Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs).

CYPSCs to outline the current continuum of parenting support services in place in their areas.

In Progress Nearing completion Finalised Exceeded

On Track for 2017 Deferred Commitment fully met Commitment exceeded

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In Progress Nearing completion Finalised Exceeded

On Track for 2017 Deferred Commitment fully met Commitment exceeded

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Draft blueprint for development of CYPSC by DCYA and will inform all actions for CYPSC relating to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

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Optional Narrative Update