National Children's BureauThe National Children’s Bureau Northern Ireland (NCB NI) is based in Belfast. We work across five key areas:
Policy
We are working to improve impact measurement in children’s services and introduce Outcomes Based Accountability (OBA) across Northern Ireland.
This includes developing a Child Poverty Outcomes Framework for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, delivering performance management support for the Colin Early Intervention Community, and providing capacity-building support for government officials to embed outcomes based accountability in everyday practice.
Proof
Our research priorities include reviewing current practice for young people at risk of becoming disengaged from education, employment or training, and exploring young people’s online activity and subsequent attainment levels.
Working with the Northern Ireland Childminding Association, we’ve recently produced the first ever study of childminding practice in Northern Ireland funded by the Office of the First and deputy First Minister.
Our findings are informing the development of the new childcare strategy for Northern Ireland.
Partnership
NCB NI hosts the Northern Ireland Anti Bullying Forum (NIABF), a membership organisation that brings together over 20 regional, statutory and voluntary organisations to end bullying of children and young people.
NIABF has worked with 10,000 children and young people and 200 school leaders over the past year, and have recently provided a review of legislation, guidance and policy for the Education Minister.
Practice Development
We influenced the development of the new £35m Early Intervention Transformation Programme and promote the need for early intervention through our work for the Public Health Agency, including supporting practitioners across Northern Ireland to deliver evidence based programmes.
We also run Engage: a development and support programme providing help and advice for projects funded by the Reaching Out: Empowering Young People programme, on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund.
Participation
Our membership network, Young NCB Northern Ireland (Young NCB NI), helps us to involve children and young people in our work and gives them the opportunity to speak out on a range of issues.
We’ve trained members as young researchers to assist our research team, and worked with them to respond to government consultations.
Our Participation Support Programme works alongside school leadership to embed a culture of young people’s involvement, and we’ve recently been named as a support organisation in the Department of Education’s guidance for schools.
If you'd like to know more about NCB Northern Ireland, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch at enquiriesni@ncb.org.uk.