Health Minister launches new family and parenting strategy

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today launched a new strategy which aims to provide support to parents in their role as primary care givers.

‘Families Matter: Supporting Families in Northern Ireland’ focuses on the availability and access to appropriate information and services for both parents and relevant professionals to assist them in providing care for children and young people.

Speaking during a visit to the Dry Arch Children’s Centre in Dungiven, the Minister said: “I have been very impressed by the wide range of services provided by the Dry Arch Children’s Centre, the commitment and enthusiasm of the staff and the focus of the Centre on the needs of the whole family. I can’t think of a more appropriate setting to launch my Department’s new regional family and parenting strategy, Families Matter.”

Commenting on the new strategy, the Minister said: “Being a parent isn’t always easy. We worry about our children’s safety. We worry about their health. We worry if they’ll settle in school and make friends. We worry if they’re developing normally. We worry if we’re doing a good enough job as parents.

“That’s why it is so important for parents to have access to information and services that can give them the knowledge, support and reassurance to carry out their parental responsibilities confidently. Families Matter aims to do just that, by ensuring that parents are supported in their roles as primary care givers, first educators and most importantly as role models for their children.”

He continued: “Services such as parenting education, anger management, managing on a budget, positive parenting, relationship support, family mediation etc should be available to support parents. This requires effective planning and working in partnership, not just between the statutory, voluntary and community organisations, but also working with parents and children to identify the services they need.

“Through the provision of the right services at the right time, I want to ensure more children have the opportunity of a safe and happy family life.”

Notes to Editors:

1. ‘Families Matter: Supporting Families in Northern Ireland’ is available online

2. To assist in the finalisation of the strategy, the Department engaged directly with the Children’s Services Planners (CSPs) in the four Health and Social Services Boards. The CSPs play a vital role in the development and provision of services for all families and work closely with both the statutory and voluntary sector.

3. Earlier this year the Minister also launched The Parents Helpline, run by the Parents Advice Centre, which is a key initiative within the Department’s family support strategy, Families Matter.

4. The Dry Arch Children’s Centre, Dungiven works to support parents through the provision of a wide range of services. These include:

• Outreach and home visiting services;
• Family support, befriending, social support and parenting information;
• Group and home-based support;
• Primary and community healthcare and advice;
• Sign Posting for families;
• Counselling Services; and
• Listening Ear Service.

5. For all media queries, please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.