This manifesto was prepared by Barnardo's Northern Ireland ahead of the 2023 local council elections.
Barnardo’s has been supporting children and young people in Northern Ireland for over 100 years. However, the challenges that children, young people and families have faced overcoming the pandemic and which are now enduring through the cost-of-living crisis are some of the most difficult in our history.
At Barnardo’s NI, we believe the system around children and young people is going to be more critical than ever if we are to help the next generation not just adapt to a new reality, but to thrive, and local councils have a role to play in ensuring their success. The current budgetary pressures facing Northern Ireland are daunting, and support for children and families is often the first to be cut. Decisions are being taken by civil servants, rather than politicians and vital services are at risk of being eliminated, eroding the safety net for the children.
With political instability continuing, and the cost-of-living crisis spiralling, families are now looking to their local councillors for leadership and direction to ensure children in their local communities get the best start in life.