Irish News #frontpage this morning with the Commissioner issuing the stark warning that “prosecutions are ruining children’s lives.” Chris Quinn

Are you a #parent or #carer? Would you like to learn more about understanding your child’s behaviour? We're running a FREE parent workshop in our #Omagh office on 26th September (6pm-9pm). Places are limited - call 028 6632 4181 to register your interest as soon as possible.

Important research by Action for Children NI highlighting the importance of a safe, appropriate and loving home for children in care. niapn.org/a-place-to-cal…

Thank you to Business in the Community & Equality Commission for the opportunity to learn & share best practice in promoting Race Equality in the Health & Social Care Sector today. It’s everyone’s job to make Northern Ireland a safe & welcoming place to live & work & we are committed to doing our part

Action for Children NI have been asking Dept of Finance to consider how discretionary powers in the Children’s Services Cooperation Act (2015) could be better utilised to enable pooling of resources.Guidance could enable cross-dept investment &protect vital early prevention & support servs

Thanks to Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education for hosting a wide range of stakeholders to look at their forward work agenda with reference to child poverty and educational outcomes. It was a helpful discussion & opportunity to share some insights from our services in NI & across the Uk

Representing Action for Children NI with Sheena McMullen and colleagues from across the children’s sector for a constructive discussion with the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education focusing on #childpoverty and underachievement. My thanks to members of the committee for their welcome and engagement

This is a good start. NI data currently shows that just over half of those entitled are claiming Healthy Start. NI can also make the payments more generous and widen the eligibility criteria. Like everything in NI, we need action. #NHShealthystart

Huge thanks to NCB in Northern Ireland for welcoming our lovely Andrea to speak about the Young Adult #Carers service that utilised #EmpoweringYoungPeople funding to make a real difference to young people's lives. #ncbLINKS #SharingTheLearning The National Lottery Community Fund NI

Packed house in NICVA this morning for the launch of the Voluntary Youth Work Sector NI Shaping the Future of Voluntary Youth Work report. Leeann Kelly says this morning is about hearing the feedback from the workshops earlier this year and looking to the future.

"Despite constant negative discourse from policy and media networks, social workers and the good work that they do still manage to break through and find a positive place in the hearts and minds of the majority of the public. That is a real testament to the profession"

'I AM a hunter gatherer, but I'm working from home' My latest cartoon for tomorrow's The Telegraph Buy a print of my cartoons at telegraph.co.uk/mattprints Original artwork from chrisbeetles.com

Our Sperrin & Lakeland Floating Support Service has secured £750 through Fermanagh Trust's ‘FermanAware’ Youth Leaders Programme 🤝 Staff consulted young people who came up with the idea for ‘Sofa Surfing Packs’ for young people who have no fixed accommodation. #ThankYouThursday

Great to be at this event today with Lorna Ballard Action for Children NI ‘Celebrating a shared journey and the path ahead’ Centre for Cross Border Studies #CCBSconf #celebration #sharedjourney

Amazing service responding directly to the needs as they are. But sofa-surfing & housing insecurity is the opposite of what young people need to thrive. We need to do better for our young people. We need to build housing they can access/afford.

Huge few days in Helsinki 🇫🇮 with Chris Quinn for the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children Annual Conference. Young people in #care across Europe, telling commissioners (like NI Commissioner for Children and Young People) what should be done to better protect and promote our #rights in alternative care. ~ Michelle, VOYPIC Young Rep

What a great way to take notes!

“The world needs more courageous political leadership” Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State NI Centre for Cross Border Studies Lorna Ballard Action for Children NI #CCBSconf

Hilary Benn speaking at Centre for Cross Border Studies conference in Dundalk today. In NI, 29% of people are on a health waiting list, (compared to 10% in England) and 50% are waiting more than a year.

Great day connecting with others, learning from the past, celebrating achievements and moving forward! #outoftheoffice #conference #connections #CCBSconf Lorna Ballard Action for Children NI Centre for Cross Border Studies