Focusing on early years to improve later life in Lisburn

Focusing on early years to improve later life in Lisburn

New research launched by the Resurgam Partnership (made up of the PHA, Resurgam Community Development Trust and Lisburn City Council) yesterday [20 June], found that 75% of those attending three post-primary schools in Lisburn leave school without five or more GCSEs, which include English and Maths, and very few go on to university or college.

The research, across north and south Lisburn, was funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and delivered through Barnado’s. Its findings will form the basis of ‘Early Intervention Lisburn’, a new programme working with very young children and their families to improve the health, wellbeing and life chances of some of the city’s most vulnerable families.

Chris Totten, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (South East), PHA, welcomed Health Minister Edwin Poots to Lagan View Enterprise Centre and said: “We are pleased that this research, by Dr Roger Courtney of Barnardo’s, on behalf of the Resurgam partnership has highlighted important needs and issues in the Lisburn community and recommended a way forward. We are also delighted that the Minister is here to launch ‘Early Intervention Lisburn’, an initiative based on this research that will improve the health and education outcomes for the most vulnerable in Lisburn.”

What happens in the early stages of life, and in particular before a child enters school, will impact significantly on their growth and development throughout their school years and also their longer term health, wellbeing and life chances. Early intervention is essential to lifelong health and wellbeing.

Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “In my role as a local MLA, I am well aware of the needs of disadvantaged communities in Lisburn. I therefore welcome the fact that the ‘Early Intervention Lisburn’ initiative is designed to improve the long-term health and wellbeing of very young children and their families across the City council area.

“Tackling health inequalities is a key priority for my department and wider government. Disadvantage starts before birth, so action to reduce health inequalities and secure improved population health must start before birth. It must be sustained through childhood if we are to stand any chance of breaking the close links between early disadvantage and poor outcomes throughout life.

“Giving every child the best possible start through access to positive early experiences is crucial to reducing health inequalities across the life course.”

Establishing early intervention helps to give children the social and emotional bedrock they need to reach their full potential and will help older children become the good parents of tomorrow.

Philip Dean, Chair, Resurgam Community Development Trust Limited, added: "The Resurgam Trust works in communities throughout Lisburn and we look forward to developing our relationship with the Public Health Agency. Addressing education and health issues are key priorities for the Resurgam Trust and it is essential that we have good solid working relationships with all departments including the Public Health Agency."
The research report helped to identify the local needs in early years and develop an action plan to meet them in order to improve the health and social wellbeing of residents in north and south Lisburn.

Further information

Contact PHA Communications on 028 9055 3663

A copy of this report can be downloaded here

Picture Caption:

Pictured at the launch of ‘The Best for Every Child’ research report and ‘Early Intervention Lisburn’, a new programme, based on the research findings, working with very young children and their families to improve the health, wellbeing and life chances of some of the Lisburn’s most vulnerable families, are (L-R): Philip Dean, Chair, Resurgam Community Development Trust Limited; Edwin Poots, Minister, Department of Health, Social Care and Public safety and Chris Totten, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement (South East), Public Health Agency.

Notes to the editor
  • The launch of the Barnardo’s Research report, ‘The Best for Every Child’ and  ‘Early Intervention Lisburn’  was from 2:20 – 4:00pm, Wednesday 20 June, at LaganView Enterprize Centre, 69 Drumbeg Drive, Old Warren Estate Lisburn, BT 28 1NY
  • The PHA has been systematically examining evidence of best practice and effectiveness to ensure that investment and joint working will bring clear benefits in health and wellbeing improvement. We are setting out four key themes to our work:
    • Give every child and young person the best start in life
    • Ensure a decent standard of living for all
    • Build sustainable communities
    • Make healthy choices easier
  • For more information go to http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/directorate-public-health/health-and-social-wellbeing-improvement
  • The PHA has established a Child Health Development Board which has developed and supported a number of evidence-based early years’ interventions such as
    • Family Nurse Partnership, a programme providing extensive nurse led support to first time mothers, aged 19 and below, in the Western HSC trust area
    • Roots of Empathy, a primary school based programme that encourages emotional learning and empathy and has been shown to lead to a reduction in bullying and violence.
    • The Child Health Development Board is also exploring the development of an integrated pathway for children aged 0-18 years.
  • ‘Resurgam’ (Latin for ‘I shall rise again’) Partnership includes the PHA, the Resurgam Community Development Trust Limited and Lisburn City Council.
    • Resurgam Community Development Trust Limited was established in January 2011 by local community partnerships in Lisburn, led primarily by Lisburn PSP, a community development support organisation.