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1. INTRODUCTION

The introduction of “Children First the Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy” in

1999 requires each of the 4 Child Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland to prepare

a 3 year Child Care Plan which sets out how the Partnership will plan and deliver

childcare services. This Child Care Plan covers the period from 1st April 2002 to

31st March 2005. The Plan will be reviewed on an annual basis during the 3 years

of its life span.

The Plan puts the work of the Child Care Partnership into the context of current

childcare needs within the Western Board area and sets targets for the

development of services. This is in line with the principles outlined in Children

First. These include:

�� assessing need;

�� increasing childcare provision;

�� making childcare provision more accessible and affordable for all families;

�� improving quality;

�� making childcare an attractive career through the development of a training

strategy and career structure.

The Plan should complement other Plans such as the Children Services Plan and

The Pre-school Education Advisory Group’s Development Plan. During its

preparation there was close co-operation with the officers and organisations

responsible for the development and implementation of these Plans.

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2. STRATEGIC CONTEXT

There are a number of significant new developments and groups who impact on

the work of the Child Care Partnership. These are:

Political Structures (Programme for Government);

Departmental Policies and Initiatives;

Interdepartmental group on Early Years (IDGEY) and Children First Advisory

Forum (CFAF);

Western Area Children and Young Peoples Committee (WACYPC);

Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG);

Cross Border Initiatives.

2.1 Political Structures

The signing of the Good Friday Agreement and the introduction of devolved

Government has meant that the Northern Ireland departments are lead by

local politicians. This ensures new levels of accountability to MLA’s and local

ministers. Local ministers have shown a keen interest in the workings of their

departments with the result that decision-making reflects the needs of the

region.

It has given voluntary and community groups the opportunity to lobby

ministers and MLA’s on issues which affect their areas. An example of this,

which will be outlined in more detail in Chapter 5, was the Fermanagh Early

Years Partnership invited local MLA’s to one of their meetings to discuss issues

relating to childcare in the county. As new political structures become

imbedded and are seen as an integral part of society, lobbying will become a

more central feature of the work of voluntary and community groups. This

should give them more influence over decisions which are taken and which

affect local communities.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has set out its priorities for the next number of

years in a paper entitled “Programme for Government”. In this paper the

Assembly outlines where it intends to spend its money and priorities for future

funding. Childcare is high on the agenda and, as a result, new initiatives such

as Good Practice Networks and the Sure Start programme have already been

funded. The Children's Fund which will be introduced in 2002 will provide

additional funding for the childcare sector.

2.2 Departmental Policies and Initiatives

There are a number of policies and initiatives which impact on the Child Care

Plan and the Child Care Partnership. These include:

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�� The Northern Ireland Assembly proposes to establish a Children’s

Commissioner and has consulted widely on the role and remit of the

Commissioner. It is anticipated that the Children’s Commissioner will be

appointed during 2002;

�� A Children’s Strategy will be launched during 2002. The office of the First

Minister and Deputy First Minister consulted on a Children’s Strategy. This

will have an overarching effect among the departments who have

responsibility for children’s affairs. It will have an impact on childcare and

the delivery of childcare services;

�� The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, through the

Family Policy Unit, is developing a new Child Care Strategy. This will help

determine the direction of childcare policies, planning and funding for the

foreseeable future.

�� New Targeting Social Need ensures that the Boards and Trusts target their

services at the families and communities which need them most. This is

also important for the Child Care Partnership in developing its priorities.

Examples include Sure Start and continuation funding for NOF Out of School

Clubs which is targeted at the most deprived areas.

�� It is important that childcare is not seen as a lone service. It must

complement other health and education initiatives such as Health Action

Zones, Healthy Living Centres and Out of School Learning Initiatives. Sure

Start is a good example of how an integrated approach can benefit the

educational, emotional, social and psychological development of young

children.

�� Working in partnership enables agencies (Statutory, Voluntary and

Community, health care, social care and educational) to pool their resources

so that they complement, not duplicate, each other’s services.

2.3 Inter-departmental group on Early Years and Children First

Advisory Forum

The Inter-Departmental Group on Early Years (IDGEY) has representation from

the main departments who have responsibility for providing and delivering

childcare services. These include Department of Health, Social Services and

Public Safety, Department of Education, Department of Employment and

Learning and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. This group

takes a lead role in planning policies, consulting with the Early Years sector and

liaising with the 4 Child Care Partnerships on how they do their business.

The Children First Advisory Forum (CFAF) has representatives from the 4

departments mentioned above. It also has 2 representatives from each of the

Child Care Partnerships, the Chair and one other representative. These

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representatives include PEAG and the voluntary sector. CFAF has responsibility

for monitoring the impact and delivery of Children First.

2.4 Children and Young Peoples Committee (CYPC)

The Children and Young Peoples Committee is Chaired by the Director of Social

Care, WHSSB. The group includes Senior Managers from the main statutory

agencies with responsibility for or an interest in family and childcare. The

voluntary sector is represented by Childcare N.I. At present CYPC’s are

considering further representation from the voluntary sector, representation

from the community sector and ethnic minorities. The Child Care Partnership is

a sub-group of the Children and Young Peoples Committee and liaises closely

with both members of the committee and the Children’s Services Planning

Officer, particularly in the development of Childcare and Children’s Services

Plans.

2.5 Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG)

The Pre-school Education Advisory Group is Chaired by the Western Education

and Library Board and has an overlap in membership with the Western Area

Child Care Partnership. There is close co-operation between both groups

including the sharing of information and the development of respective plans

i.e. the Child Care Plan and the Pre-school Education Advisory Group Action

Plan 2002 – 2003. Statistical information on wards, ages and numbers of

children, needs indicators and gaps in provision are shared to aid planning.

2.6 Cross Border

Both the Western Area Child Care Partnership and the Southern Area Child

Care Partnership have long borders with the Republic of Ireland. Children from

both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland cross the border to avail of

childcare services in the other jurisdiction. It is essential when planning

services that there should be co-operation between the planners on both sides

of the border. Although co-operation is still at an early stage there are a

number of initiatives and examples of good practice which have already taken

place. These include:

�� The Cross-border Rural Childcare Project completed its work with a

conference in February 2001. The main messages coming from the Project

were:

1. the similarity of problems facing childcare on both sides of the border,

2. a commitment from Departments to promote rural childcare,

3. the importance of communities being able to identify their own childcare

needs,

4. the success of the Cross-border Rural Childcare Project,

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5. the 6 childcare facilities which it helped establish and the need for further

work and co-operation on cross border rural child care issues.

�� A planning meeting will be held in 2002 to develop the next phase of the

Project. If applications for funding are successful it is intended to

development a rural childcare observatory, not only linking the border

corridor between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland but also

including the needs of other rural communities in areas such as the Glens of

Antrim and the Irish Midlands.

�� The setting up of North / South political institutions should have a positive

impact on co-operation in North / South childcare planning. Meetings

between North / South Ministers and Departments will help develop joint

planning, joint projects and initiatives and the sharing of best practice from

both sides of the border.

�� The establishment of County Child Care Committees in the Republic of

Ireland has created planning structures similar to the Child Care

Partnerships in Northern Ireland. The County Child Care Committees are

developing childcare plans for their particular areas. It is important to

ensure co-operation between the Border County Committees and the Child

Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland. The Child Care Partnership Coordinators

in Northern Ireland meet on a regular basis to share information

and discuss common issues and concerns. The Child Care Partnership Coordinators

have invited their counterparts in the border counties of Louth,

Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal to meet in April 2002. This

meeting will enable the co-ordinators to discuss issues relevant to both.

�� Peace II – The introduction of Peace II funding will enable projects along

the border corridor to co-operate and develop joint funding bids for crossborder

projects. This, with the other initiatives, will aid co-operation

between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in developing

relationships, joint planning of services and sharing of best practice.

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�� RESTRUCTURING THE CHILD CARE

PARTNERSHIP

3.1 Work undertaken to date

In 1999 the National Children’s Bureau was commissioned by the DHSS&PS to

work with the 4 Child Care Partnerships to help them restructure to deliver on

the recommendations of "Children First". A number of days were put aside

including a residential to undertake this task. The result was a paper entitled

“Working in Partnership”.

The main recommendations of this were agreed by the Western Area Child

Care Partnership and a sub-group was established to implement the proposals.

The Partnership at its meeting of 11th December 2001 finalised the restructure.

3.1.1 Structure

The structure of the Partnership will include the following components:

�� Child Care Partnership/Executive Committee which will be the decision

making body;

�� Permanent sub-groups;

�� Quality Assurance / Quality Development

�� Strategic Funding Panel;

�� Information and Strategic Analysis;

�� Local Early Years Fora – 1 in each district council area;

�� Short-term Working Groups – to be established to lead on particular

pieces of work and will have a lifespan for the work to be undertaken;

�� Childcare Forum – inclusive body which will meet once or twice per

annum with a particular focus or theme, e.g. a conference,

consultation on ChildCare Plan.

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Table 1. WACCP Structure

Quality

Assurance /

Quality

Development

Information

and Strategic

Analysis

Strategic

Funding Panel

Child

Care

Forum

Short

Term /

Working

Reference

Groups

Short

Term /

Working

Reference

Groups

Limavady

Early Years

Forum

Derry

Early Years

Forum

Strabane

District Child

Care Forum

Omagh

District Child

Care Network

Fermanagh

Early Years

Partnership

Child Care Partnership / Executive Committee

3.1.2 Membership

The proposed membership for the different groups is:

�� Child Care Partnership – WHSSB, Foyle Trust, Sperrin/Lakeland Trust,

Westcare, Children and Young Peoples Committee, 2 Education

representatives, T&EA, DARD, 3 Voluntary Sector (NIPPA, NICMA, PlayBoard),

5 Community Sector nominated through the Local Early Years Fora, Disability,

Irish Medium, Integrated Education, Employers (currently Business in the

Community), District Councils and Parents. (See appendix II for full list of

members)

�� Quality Assurance and Quality Development (Convener Ms Veronica Baird) –

Westcare, NIPPA, NICMA, PlayBoard, Private daycare, Foyle Trust,

Sperrin/Lakeland Trust, T&EA, Childcare NI, Irish Language, Good Practice

Network and Education.

�� Strategic Funding Panel (Convener Mr Seamus Gunn) – DEL, Foyle Trust,

Sperrin/Lakeland Trust, NIPPA, PlayBoard, NICMA, NICIE, NOF, Local Strategic

Partnerships, PEAG, Local Early Years Fora, Business in the Community and

Support Workers.

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�� Information and Strategic Analysis (Convener Mr Eamon McTernan) – Children

and Young Peoples Committee, Education, Foyle Trust, Sperrin/Lakeland Trust,

1 Sure Start Co-ordinator, Good Practice Network, Local Strategic Partnership,

NIHE and WHSSB Information Officer.

�� Local Early Years Fora Membership will be open to anyone working in or with

an interest in the early years sector. They include representatives from the

different sectors, different types of provision and have a wide geographical

spread. It is also important to encourage representation from ethnic minorities.

�� Short–term working groups (Chaired by a nominated member of the Child Care

Partnership) – may include representatives from the Partnership and its subgroups

and can co-opt members from external organisations and/or individuals

with an expertise in the particular subject.

(Chairs of sub-groups and working groups should be members of Child Care

Partnership and persons identified will take initial responsibility for convening

of the group)

�� Childcare Forum – Large Board wide inclusive forum where all voluntary and

community sector representatives will have the opportunity to meet.

3.2 Next Steps

3.2.1 Permanent Sub-Groups

The convener of the 3 permanent sub-groups will set up an initial

meeting. Membership will be agreed and where there are gaps in

membership organisations will be identified and a letter sent to the

Chief Executive Officer/Director seeking a nomination from the

organisation. If the sub-group is already in existence such as the

Training Sub-group it will be augmented with additional members and

new terms of reference to become the Quality Assurance / Quality

Development Sub-group.

3.2.2 Terms of Reference

Each of the groups, as part of their establishment, will develop terms

of reference, roles and responsibilities for members and a work

programme for the year.

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3.2.3 New Structure Becomes Operational

The new structure should be operational by April 2002 with

membership of all groups identified and terms of reference and a work

programme developed for each group.

3.2.4 Review of Structure

As part of the ongoing development of the Partnership and its substructure

a review of the new working arrangements will take place in

March 2003 and any changes or improvements will be implemented.

This will form part of the annual review of the Child Care Plan.

3.3 Conclusion

The process of attempting to restructure the Partnership has been ongoing for

some time. The recommendations outlined above reflect the work undertaken

in that process. Although it has been time consuming it is important that the

structure reflects the discussions and debates which have taken place. It is

essential that all organisations and individuals can sign up to it and it can

deliver on Children First and the Child Care Plan.

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4 . CURRENT WORK

The Child Care Partnership is currently involved in a number of initiatives. This

work is mainly undertaken through the partnership sub-groups and the local

Early Years Fora.

4.1 Restructuring the Child Care Partnership

This has been explained in Chapter 3, however 2 initiatives should be

mentioned. "Children First" recommended that membership of the Child

Care Partnerships should include:

"Government Departments, statutory agencies, employers,

parents, voluntary and community organisations and

childcare providers".

The WACCP has been exploring ways of involving both employers and

parents.

4.1.1 Employers

The WACCP have been working with Business in the Community and

PlayBoard in an attempt to involve the business sector. It has also been

in contact with Employers for Childcare in order to move this forward. To

date there has been little success however it is planned to establish a

working group with representation from the above organisations to

develop an action for this initiative.

4.1.2 Parents

The 4 Child Care Partnerships have commissioned the Parents Advice

Centre to undertake 2 pilot projects in each Partnership area to identify

methods of involving parents on the Partnerships. A Development Worker

has been appointed to undertake this work.

The 2 pilots in the Western area are Ballymagroarty/Hazelbank in Foyle

Trust and Omagh in Sperrin Lakeland Trust. The Development Worker is

working with groups of parents in both areas to explore the issues. The

Worker will report back to the partnership during the Autumn of 2002

with her findings and recommendations.

In order to learn from this pilot project an external consultant has been

appointed to undertake an evaluation of the project.

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4.2 Sub-Groups

Although the final membership of the sub-groups has not been agreed

and terms of reference completed, 2 of the 3 permanent sub-groups are

currently working. These are extensions of existing sub-groups of the

Area Early Years Committee. These are the Quality Assurance / Quality

Development sub-group and the Strategic Funding Panel.

4.2.1 Quality Assurance and Quality Development Sub-Group

This group will include members of the Training Sub-committee. It

will be supplemented by additional members and will have a remit for

ensuring quality within the sector.

The group will work closely with the Trusts’ Registration and

Inspection Teams, the Social Services Inspectorate, the Education and

Training Inspectorate, the Good Practice Network and voluntary sector

organisations to promote quality assurance.

It will also gather and disseminate information on best practice from

within Northern Ireland, the UK and further afield. It will encourage

all childcare organisations and groups to implement existing good

practice and to develop policies and procedures to ensure that quality

assurance mechanisms are in place within their organisations.

4.2.2 Strategic Funding Panel

The Strategic Funding Panel will be an amalgamation of the existing

Partnership selection panels. These included Childhood Fund,

PlayCare, New Opportunities Fund, Early Years Development Fund and

Sure Start Selection Panels. In order to ensure a more joined up

approach to the funding streams, which the Partnership has

responsibility for assessing and allocating, it was felt that one funding

panel should take responsibility for all of these funding initiatives.

More detailed information on each funding source is contained in

Chapter 8.

4.3 Working Groups

Working Groups will be short-term and established as and when required.

These groups will consider specific pieces of work such as consultation on

departmental policies or other documents, reference groups for

commissioning research or other specific issues. At present there are no

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working groups established by the Child Care Partnership. However

examples of these in the past included the Sure Start Selection Panel

which assessed and made recommendations on which proposals should

be funded and the Disability Research Reference Group which advised the

researchers on the “Enabling Ability Report.”

These groups will be time limited, they will identify membership from

both inside and outside the Partnership with particular expertise in the

field that they are dealing with, will have clear Terms of Reference and

conclude when the work is completed.

4.4 Local Early Years Fora

During 2001 the fifth local Early Years Fora was established in the Derry

City Council Area.

4.4.1 Fermanagh Early Years Partnership

This group was established in 1998 and has a core membership with

representation from the statutory, voluntary, community and private

sectors. Following work with Stratagem in 2000, the group has been

working on a strategy on lobbying. This has included:

�� writing to all the political parties asking for a copy of their Childcare

policies

�� during the elections contacting the candidates to ensure that

Childcare was put on the agenda

�� inviting the MLA’s from Co. Fermanagh to a meeting with members

of the Partnership to ensure that they heard the childcare issues

and problems facing communities, families and children in the

Fermanagh area.

4.4.2 Limavady Early Years Forum

This group was also established in 1998 and has representatives from

all childcare sectors. During 2001 it arranged a number of study

visits.

The first of these was to the Reggio Emilia conference in England.

Members of the group went to the conference and, as a result of

making contacts there, invited a number of people from the Reggio

Emilia Centre in Birmingham to present a seminar on their work to

childcare representatives within the Limavady District Council area.

Due to a wide interest from outside the Council area childcare

representatives from other district were also invited.

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The second visit was the World Childcare Conference in Athens where

2 representatives of the group attended. They brought back papers

and information on examples of provision and best practice from

different countries and made contacts with a number of other

delegates.

The advantage of such visits is that members have the opportunity to

see and experience best practice from other parts of the world and,

through networking, can invite members back to present their work to

other people within the Limavady District Council Area.

4.4.3 Strabane and District Early Years Forum

This group has been slow to develop however, some members from

the Strabane District Council area have been attending the Omagh

District Child Care Network meetings. In order to help the group

develop information sessions and a recruitment campaign will take

place during 2002.

4.4.4 Omagh District Child Care Network

This group was established in 2000 and has developed a solid core

membership with representatives from the different childcare sectors

in the Omagh District Council Area. The group have made contact

with members of the District Council and the Local Strategic

Partnership and are developing a proposal to the Local Strategic

Partnership for funding for a training programme for Early Years

providers.

4.4.5 Derry City Council Area Early Years Forum

This group was established in the Autumn of 2001 and has good

representation from the different childcare sectors, the different areas

of the District Council and different types of provision.

4.5 Good Practice Network

The Good Practice Network aims to address the following areas for Early

Years providers in the Limavady Borough Council Area, and for the children’s

parents who use their services.

�� Develop Quality Standards of Early Years Services

�� Improve information, which will include information for parents on services

available in the area

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�� Promote parenting Education Board support programmes through the

provision of Training and Development of the DELTA Model to improve early

language development

The Network aims to address these issues in a pro-active and innovative

manner through a mixture of support, research, promotion and linking of

services.

To enable this there are currently 2 members of staff in place and I.T.

systems have been set up.

4.5.1 Develop Quality Standards

The first of the Network's conferences “Quality is in the eye of the

beholder” took place on 17th October 2001. This was a valuable

exercise and is the beginning of an ongoing process to enable the

Network to assist member organisations improve their quality

standards, thus improving the quality of services for users.

The Network is currently working with WELB to offer members

organisations an opportunity to go for an EEL accreditation.

4.5.2 Out of Schools Provision

Out of Schools Provision is a major gap within the area. To this end

the Network was successful in a consortium application to the New

Opportunities Fund. A total of 5 groups were included, 2 of them

private providers, with approximately 200 new Out of School places

created.

4.5.3 Improve Information

A website has been developed and all members details are included

on the site to allow parents to access this information. The site also

provides up to date information on Government policy, Quality

Standards and up and coming events. It is the Network's intention to

develop the site further. This website will have a link with the WACCP

webite.

There are currently 122 members on the Network database who each

receive a regular newsletter with interesting information and updates.

An audit of existing services/providers and their needs is ongoing. It

is hoped that this will paint a picture of where the gaps exist and how

best to fill them.

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4.5.4 Resource Library

The library is well resourced with relevant books, journals, articles,

and videos.

4.5.5 Promote Parenting Education & Support

A total of 12 Network members have successfully completed DELTA

training which was offered across the Limavady Borough Council area.

Other training events, including 2 x 2½ hour Child Observation Course

which was purchased from NIPPA on behalf of members.

4.6 Sure Start

The 4 Sure Start projects funded under Round 1 Grants are now well

established and have fully operational programmes. They have appointed

their staff teams who are delivering the programme to local families and

children from 0-3years in their designated areas. All 4 projects have had

official launches which has enabled them to inform local professionals and

parents of the work of the project. The 4 Round 1 projects are

Ballymagroarty/Hazelbank, Cherish in Irvinestown, Dungiven and

Strabane.

In the second round 2 further projects have been approved. The first of

these is in Shantallow and is managed differently from the other Sure

Start projects. It has a management committee consisting of the

Resource Centre Derry (RCD) and Foyle Trust. They have developed a

programme which will be delivered by commissioning services from a

range of agencies working in the Shantallow area. Examples of these

include Lifestart and Derry Travellers Support Group. Because they are

commissioning services, they have a smaller staff team than the other

projects however, it was felt that this method was the best way of

delivering the Sure Start programme to the area.

The final Sure Start project will be based in the Lisanelly and Strathroy

areas of Omagh. This proposal has been approved by the Child Care

Partnership and the DHSSPS. They will recruit a Sure Start Co-ordinator

and other staff and it is anticipated that the project will begin in April

2002.

During 2001 the DHSSPS consulted on how they would evaluate the Sure

Start projects. This included identifying what baseline data is needed for

the projects in order for the evaluation to take place. Other forms of

monitoring include quarterly financial returns, a quarterly progress report

and statistical information on contact with families and children. The

qualitative and quantitative information which is being gathered by both

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the DHSSPS and the Child Care Partnership plus the evaluations of the

project will ensure that the programme and services provided by the 6

projects meet the needs of families and children in their area.

The first phase of funding for Sure Start will finish on 31 March 2003

however, it is anticipated that further funding from the DHSSPS will be

available after that date.

4.7 Enabling Ability Research

The Western Area Child Care Partnership and the Disability Sub-group of

the Children and Young Peoples Committee commissioned research into

the needs of families and children with a disability in the Western Board

area. This research has been completed with two documents. The first

is a substantial research document which will have limited circulation but

can be used for reference purposes. The second is an enhanced

Executive Summary including all the findings and recommendations of the

research entitled “Enabling Ability”.

During 2001 the Disability Sub-group developed a draft strategy for

children with a disability in the Western board and consulted widely on

this. It is planned to launch the strategy and the “Enabling Ability”

research jointly in the Spring of 2002. These 2 initiatives will be the basis

for the planning and implementation of services for children with a

disability and their families in the Western Board area.

There are a number of recommendations recommended in the Enabling

Ability Report which are directly relevant to the Early Years Child Care

Field. These include:

�� Recommendation No.2

Provide parents and service providers with the necessary information on

conditions and services to enable them to best support children with

disabilities. One method would be through the development of service

directories.”

�� Recommendation No.4

Services should be planned to take account of the needs of the whole

family.”

�� Recommendation No.5

“Services should be an integral part of mainstream services for children.”

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�� Recommendation No.6

“A range of services should be accessible locally.”

�� Recommendation No.8

Review existing respite care options which are available and encourage

the development of flexible services.”

�� Recommendation No.12

“Service provision should be designed and developed with the active

involvement of children and their families.”

�� Recommendation No.13

“Monitor and evaluate the quality of services, including using consumer

representatives in a meaningful way.”

�� Recommendation No.16

“There should be active collaboration and coordination of services

between and across all provider agencies.”

�� Recommendation No.17

“Strengthen the links between Health and Social Services, the Northern

Ireland Housing Executive, Education and Library Boards.”

These recommendations need to be considered with the Strategy for

Children with a Disability and the planning of future services and

provision for children with a disability and their family needs to take them

into account.

Copies of the “Enabling Ability” research document can be obtained from

Mr Colm Elliott, Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator, Western Health and

Social Services Board, 15 Gransha Park, Clooney Road, Derry, BT47 6 FN,

Telephone 02871 86 00 86 or email elliottc@whssb.n-i.nhs.uk.

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5 . INFORMATION

5.1 Demographic and Labour Market Data

The Partnership’s catchment area encompasses the district council areas

of Limavady, Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Fermanagh. The Western area

has a population of 282,000 over an area of almost 5,000 sq kms from

Limavady in the North to Enniskillen in the South.

Table 2. Map of Western Board showing under-18 population by district

council

The district includes

large urban areas

including Northern

Ireland’s second largest

city together with some

of the most remote

rural areas. The

WHSSB’s Area is a

border region with the

North Western Health

Board servicing the

population further to

the West in Donegal.

Levels of deprivation,

both rural and urban

are amongst the worst

in Northern Ireland as

confirmed by the

recent Measure of

Deprivation Report,

2001.

The population of the the Western Board has more young and fewer old people

than the Northern Ireland averages

Limavady Council Area

<18 Population - 9,484

Strabane Council Area

<18 Population - 10,879

Derry Council Area

<18 Population - 33,865

Omagh Council Area

<18 Population - 14,318

Fermanagh Council Area

<18 Population - 16,364

Limavady

Dungiven

Omagh

Irvinestown

Enniskillen

Lisnaskea

Strabane

Castlederg

Londonderry

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5.2 Population of Children/Young People in the West

5.2.1 Under 18 Population of the District Councils within WHSSB

Based on mid-year estimates supplied by the Northern Ireland Statistics and

Research Agency a further breakdown of the population of children and

young people in the Western Area is set out below.

Table 3. Number of children within each age range by district council

Age Band Fermanagh Limavady Derry Omagh Strabane Total

0-4 4,040 2,355 8,785 3,440 2,898 21,518

5-9 4,391 2,674 9,251 3,810 2,801 22,927

10-14 4,921 2,818 9,860 4,348 3,225 25,172

15-17 3,012 1,637 5,969 2,720 1,955 15,293

Total 0-14 13,352 7,847 27,896 11,598 8,924 69,617

Total <18 16,364 9,484 33,865 14,318 10,879 84,910

Source: NISRA Mid-Year Estimates, 2000

The Western Area has a higher than average proportion of its population

under the age of 18, 30% compared with the Northern Ireland average of

27.1%.

The percentage of young people varies within each council area with

Derry Council area having the highest (31.7%) See table below.

Table 4. Percentage of Population Under 18 by Council Area.

Council Derry Limavady Strabane Omagh Fermanagh

% under 18 31.7% 29.8% 28.8% 30% 28.4%

The 1991 Census provides a more detailed breakdown of the numbers of

children at smaller geographical areas (electoral wards). The figures from

the Census are however out of date and data from the 2001 Census will not

be available until 2003. In order to estimate the numbers of 0-14 at ward

level, estimates have been given in Appendix IV based on the numbers of

children aged 0-14 in receipt of child benefit.

5.2.2 Population Trends

While the population as a whole will continue to increase over the coming

years the number of children under 18 is decreasing in all Boards. Between

1998 and 2013 NISRA project a 12% decrease in the population of children

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20

across Northern Ireland. The Western Board area will however have the

lowest decrease of 8.42% over this same time period.

Table 5. Mid Year Population Estimates for children 0-14 years during 1990’s

Age Band 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

0-4 24410 23902 23466 23038 22505 22438 22237 22125 21940

5-9 25311 25451 25372 25132 24915 24686 24206 23833 23395

10-14 24850 25111 25405 25670 25409 25495 25664 25613 25349

Within the Western Board local government districts the largest decrease

in he number of children (1998 – 2013) is projected to be in the Omagh

District (15.66%) with the lowest decrease in Strabane (5.51%).

Over the same period Derry city council area is projected to have the

largest increase in the number of people of working age and the WHSSB

will have the highest increase among the 4 Boards.

Table 6.

The graph illustrates the

ongoing decrease in the

child population within the

Western area. This

continuing decrease will

impact upon planning for

the provision of early years

services. It is important,

particularly with limited

resources, that the services

are targeted at areas

where children need them.

It is inevitable that there

will be displacement of

existing services as the

under 14 population

decreases.

5.3 Deprivation within the Western Area

It is possible to identify the areas of highest deprivation with WHSSB

from information, which is currently available such as the Noble Index.

Under 18 Population Change 1991 - 2000

19000

20000

21000

22000

23000

24000

25000

26000

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

0-4

5-9

10-14

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This information will be supplemented over the coming years with data

from a number of sources. These include rural indicators being developed

by the Rural Development Council and from the Census data which is due

to be published in 2003.

5.4 Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland 2001

The Robson Index of Deprivation highlighted areas of high deprivation

across Northern Ireland. This analysis has been updated by the recently

published Northern Ireland Measures of Deprivation Report (Noble),

which was published in June 2001. The Noble Report provides a ward by

ward analysis of deprivation across a number of domains.

The measures of deprivation are based on the premise that multiple

deprivation is made up of separate dimensions, or “domains” of

deprivation. These domains reflect different aspects of deprivation. Each

domain is made up of a number of indicators, which cover aspects of this

deprivation as comprehensively as possible. Deprivation is measured

using the following domains:

�� Income (and Child Poverty Index)

�� Employment

�� Health Deprivation and Disability

�� Education, Skills and Training

�� Geographical Access to Services

�� Social Environment and

�� Housing

Each electoral ward is ranked on the basis of deprivation (for example a

ward with a rank of 1 will represent the most deprived, while a ward with

a rank of 566 will be the least deprived. The Noble Index is based on the

old electoral ward boundaries, which were in place at the time of the

1991 Census. These boundaries were re-drawn in 1992. Examples of

some of the domains used in the study are set out below.

5.4.1 Multiple Deprivation Measure

This measure incorporates the rankings from all the different domains

and gives an overall rank for each ward. A weighting is given for each of

the different domains to arrive at the overall rank. (See Map Appendix V

- The top 33 deprived wards - MDM in WHSSB). There are 33 wards from

the Western Area in the overall 100 most deprived wards in NI. A full list

of the Western Area wards and their multiple deprivation measure ranks

are set out in Appendix V.

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5.4.2 Child Poverty Index (subset of Income Domain)

This Index ranks wards based on the number of dependants living in

households claiming a number of means tested benefits (such as Income

Support, Job Seekers allowance). The Index clearly demonstrates a high

level of Child Poverty within the West. The 3 most deprived wards in

Northern Ireland in relation to child poverty are located in urban areas of

Derry City. A full list of Western Area wards and their ranks are set out in

Appendix V (See Map - The top 33 deprived wards – Child Poverty in

WHSSB)

5.4.3 Geographical Access to Services

This Index ranks wards based on their proximity to a range of services

such as a post office, GP surgery, Accident and Emergency Hospital,

dentist etc). As expected the rural areas of Strabane, Fermanagh and

Omagh score highly (most deprived). Rural wards within the Western

area account for 6 of the 10 most deprived wards within Northern

Ireland. A full list of Western Area wards are set out in Appendix V (See

Map - The top 33 deprived wards - access in WHSSB)

The Noble Indicators are important in providing an analysis of deprivation

across Northern Ireland. A further piece of research is also currently

underway which will provide more information on demography, economic

structure and social activity of rural areas. The Rural Development

Council are undertaking a Rural Baselining Initiative. The project will

examine indicators such as: demographic composition and change,

housing and property, sense of community and community life and

availability of services and activities. This study will provide a useful

indication of levels of deprivation in rural areas of the Western Board.

In order to plan effectively and equitably it is essential to use all available

data. The Nobel Indicators and the RDC research will complement each

other and will help to ensure services are targeted at both urban and

rural areas.

5.5 Rurality

The Western Board is the most rural of the 4 Boards which creates many

additional problems when planning and delivering services. These

include:

�� Access to services even when they are available

�� Transport problems (a poor road system, lack of public transport,

practically no railway system within the area and lack of access to

privates cars)

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�� Considerable distances between the main towns in the area

�� The additional cost incurred in providing services to isolated areas.

Families and children living in isolated rural communities are often the

ones who require the services most, yet cannot access them. This is

extremely important when planning services particularly in relation to

equality of opportunity and targeting social need. Children First states:

"The Government wants to ensure that a range of good quality

childcare is available in every community…."

The Cross-border Rural Child Care Project provided examples of how

communities could develop services to meet their own particular needs.

Examples of best practice can be learnt from this project and used as part

of the planning framework for rural childcare services.

5.6 Other Issues

5.6.1 Information Officer

The Partnership has appointed an information officer with a remit to

support the information requirements of the Partnership. The

information officer will develop and maintain a website on behalf of

the Partnership and support the local Sure Start projects in addition to

meeting the information requirements of Children’s Planning

processes.

5.6.2. Website

The Childcare Partnership is in the process of developing a website,

which will make information more accessible to the public. The site

will hold details of all early years provision in the Western Area

including day nurseries, crèches, playgroups etc. In addition a range

of other information will be provided including background to the

childcare partnership, useful statistics, links to other childcare websites

and publications which can be downloaded. The address for the

website is www.childcare-west.org

5.6.3 Information Leaflet

The Child Care Partnership has developed an information leaflet which

informs on:

�� Membership

�� Purpose

�� Key tasks

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24

�� Funding

�� Achievements 2001-02

�� Contact details.

This leaflet will be available to any individual or organisation working

within the sector or with an interest in childcare.

5.6.4 Newsheet

The partnership, as a means of keeping organisations and individuals

informed will develop a quarterly newsheet for dissemination. The

content will include information on:

�� The Partnership and its work

�� Examples of work undertaken by providers

�� Examples of best practice

�� New policies

�� Upcoming events, conferences, training etc.

5.6.5 Consultation

The Partnership will continue to develop mechanisms for consultation

on a range of issues including the Child Care Plan and its Reviews,

new Government initiatives and policies, funding and general topics

relating to childcare.

5.6.6 Representation on Groups

As the new structure of the Partnership develops representation on all

sub-committees, local early years fora and short-term working groups

will be sought and encouraged from individuals who have an interest

or expertise in the relevant subject matter.

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6 ASSESSMENT OF NEED

6.1 Current Levels of Child Care Provision

This section aims to identify the current levels and location of early years

provision across the WHSSB’s area. Information is provided for the

following groups:

�� Crèches

�� Day Nurseries

�� Playgroups

�� Out of School Clubs

�� Childminders

The information provided on day nurseries, playgroups, out of school

clubs and childminders will be more robust as registration with the local

Trust is compulsory. Registration of crèches is currently at a very early

stage the data will not therefore reflect the true number of these groups

providing a service.

Further information on the provision of statutory nursery places at lower

geographical areas is available from WELB.

In order to estimate the current levels of childcare provision within

WHSSB, information has been drawn from a number of sources:

�� Information on childcare facilities registered with Foyle and Sperrin/

Lakeland Trusts, and

�� Information supplied by the WELB on PEAG funded statutory nursery

places.

The Trust also publishes Article 20 reviews which give more details on

services. More detailed information on services can be obtained from the

Article 20 Reviews.

6.1.1 Crèches

A crèche provides play opportunities for a short period of time

(usually 2 hours) during the day while parents either shop,

undertake a leisure activity or attend a training course.

As mentioned above the process of registration of crèches is at an

early stage. Information on the total number of places is therefore

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26

not yet available. The table below lists the crèches, which are

currently registered across the Board’s area.

Table 7. Crèches in WHSSB area.

WHSSB No of

Crèches

(registered)

Derry 20

Strabane 1

Limavady 6

Omagh 4

Fermanagh 1

6.1.2 Day Nurseries

Day Nurseries provide full day care for the length of the working day

(max 9 hours) for children under 5 whose parents are working or for

other reasons require this facility.

An analysis of the location of day nursery places is set out in Table

8. It is clear that there is under provision of day nurseries in the

Strabane locality. In addition there are a significant number of rural

wards with little or no day nursery provision.

6.1.3 Playgroups

Playgroups provide sessional daycare for children aged 3 – school

going age for usually 2.5 hours per day to a maximum of 4 hours.

An analysis is provided in Table 8 of the number of playgroup places

by locality across the Western Area. From the information provided

it is clear that Strabane and Derry have the lowest number of places

per 1000 of the population.

6.1.4 Out of School Groups

Out of School groups provide a care setting usually for 2 - 3 hours

after school, where children are cared for by adults, where the

parent is not available. Other forms of Out of School provision

include breakfast clubs, wraparound services and summer schemes.

The number of Out of School places has been continuing to rise over

the past number of years. Out of School services began with a very

low baseline, however, the numbers have risen significantly due

mainly to funding from Playcare and NOF. Derry Locality currently

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27

has the lowest number of Out of School places per 1000 of the

population.

6.1.5 Naiscoil

There has been continuing development in the number of Naiscoil

(Irish medium) places available over the past number of years. The

figures for Naiscoil are included in the playgroup and out of school

analysis.

6.1.6 Childminders

Childminders provide full daycare for children under school age and

sessional care for school going children. There are 455 registered

childminders across the WHSSB’s area with the highest rate per

1000 places being in the Limavady area. There are also a high

number of unregistered childminders, normally grandparents or

aunts. The Trust and NICMA are constantly encouraging all

childminders to become registered.

6.1.7 Home Base Services

A number of organisations and programmes provide a range of

services to families within their own homes. These include Lifestart,

Homestart and Health Visiting. These services provide alternative

services to meet the needs of families and young children and are

complementary to other centre based provision.

This home based work has been further developed within the Sure

Start projects and has made a significant contribution not only to the

Sure Start Programme, but to the availability of choice for families.

Home based programmes often don’t receive the recognition they

deserve for the excellent work they have undertaken. They are

neglected when allocating grants and funding because they cannot

easily be categorised. It is essential that this is addressed to ensure

that they receive an equitable share of funding and recognition for

their work.

They have on many occasions led the way in “monitoring and

evaluating” their work. This good practice could be replicated in

other areas of childcare practice.

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28

The Partnership recognised the contribution they have made and will

ensure that they have access to equitable resources for their

programme.

6.2 Mapping of Provision

Provision of playgroup, day nursery and out of school groups has been

made available at ward cluster areas (see Table 8) This mapping

exercise is based on the postcode of each of the groups. This lower

level information when mapped together with the data provided in the

Noble Report will assist in the process of identifying both areas of

highest need and gaps in current provision.

Information is also provided at locality level across the Board. These

profiles provide a breakdown of early provision across the 5 localities

within the Western Area. (See Appendix III)

6.3 Identifying gaps in provision at smaller Geographical Areas

The table below illustrates how it will be possible to begin the process

of identifying areas where there is under-provision of early years

services. The table maps the provision of day nursery, out of school

and playgroup places by ward clusters. The ward clusters are

homogenous areas as identified by the Western Education and Library

Board. This process is important as there is continuing expansion to

housing developments especially in urban areas. The use of a

geographical information system will assist the process of identifying

those areas with high populations of young people and limited or no

provision.

This information is based on early years places which are registered

with the local health and Social Services Trusts. A further analysis of

PEEP funded funded nursery places is available in the Pre-School

Education Advisory Group’s Annual Report (December 2001).

Table 8. Early Years provision by Electoral Ward Clusters

DISTRICT

COUNCIL AREA

WARDNAME Playgroup

Places

Out of

School

Places

Day

Nursery

Places

DERRY C''VAGH,F'SPRINGS,S'TOWN 96 38

ENAGH(DERRY)/EGLINTON 81 16 62

NEW BUILDINGS 48 30

CLAUDY 24 20

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ALTNAGELVIN 24 40 30

CULMORE 12 8 42

BANAGHER 48

BRANDYWELL,DIAMOND 63 45

HOLLY MOUNT 20

C'HILL,P'BURN,S.EAST,BALLYNASHALLOG 126

BEECHWOOD,C.CENTRAL,C.SOUTH,ROSEMOUNT,STRAND,

WESTLAND 133 64 63

SHANTALLOW WEST 72

C'DERMOT,EBRINGTON,LISNAGELVIN,

VICTORIA,CAW,KILFENNAN 162

DISTRICT

COUNCIL AREA

WARDNAME Playgroup

Places

Out of

School

Day

Nursery

Places

LIMAVADY GREYSTEEL 24

COOLESSAN,ENAGH(LIM),GREYSTONE,RATHBRADY,ROESIDE 71 44

FOREST

AGHANLOO 24 43

DUNGIVEN,UPPER GLENSHANE,HIGHLANDS,FEENY 210 16 30

MAGILLIGAN 24

BALLYKELLY/GLACK 88 56

DISTRICT

COUNCIL AREA

WARDNAME Playgroup

Places

Out of

School

Places

Day

Nursery

Places

FERMANAGH BALLINAMALLARD,LISNARRICK,IRVINESTOWN 116 40 122

KESH,EDERNEY AND LACK 22 24

CASTLECOOLE,ERNE,DEVENISH,PORTORA,ROSSORRY 140 24 45

DERRYGONNELLY 40

BELCOO AND GARRISON 46

TEMPO 24

FLORENCE COURT AND KINAWLEY 22 22

MAGUIRESBRIDGE 24

LISBELLAW 32 20

DONAGH 24

BOHO, CLEENISH AND LETTERBREEN 54 16

NEWTOWNBUTLER 22 20

DERRYLIN 26 24

BELLEEK AND BOA 24 50

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LISNASKEA 20 16

ROSSLEA 24

BROOKEBOROUGH 20

DISTRICT

COUNCIL AREA

WARDNAME Playgroup

Places

Out of

School

Day

Nursery

Places

OMAGH COOLNAGARD,DERGMONEY,GORTRUSH,LISANELLY,STRUL

E,K'CLOGHER,DRUMRAGH,CAMOWEN 206 92 77

DRUMNAKILLY,TERMON 48 46

BERAGH,SIXMILECROSS 54 48 20

OWENKILLEW,GORTIN 90 16

TRILLICK 18 16 33

DRUMQUIN 24

DROMORE 26

FAIRY WATER 16

NEWTOWNSAVILLE 42

CLANABOGAN 20

FINTONA 48

DISTRICT

COUNCIL AREA

WARDNAME Playgroup

Places

Out of

School

Day

Nursery

Places

STRABANE ARTIGARVAN,SLIEVEKIRK 48 24

BALLYCOLMAN,EAST,NORTH,SOUTH,WEST 103 16

NEWTOWNSTEWART 26

FINN,SION MILLS,VICTORIA BRIDGE 72

DUNNAMANAGH 33 25

CASTLEDERG,CLARE,GLENDERG 74 72

PLUMBRIDGE 24

The Partnership and the early years teams will analyse further the information contained

in the above tables and will match this against the number of children in the different age

groups in each ward. This will help the Partnership prioritise and target services to the

areas which need them most.

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31

7.QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

One of the central principles of "Children First" is the development of high

quality childcare services. It states

"The Government wants to ensure that all childcare is of good

quality so that it meets children's development needs and parents

can have confidence in it."

The Child Care Partnership, through the Quality Assurance/Quality

Development Sub-group, intends to develop a strategy/action plan which will

help improve the already high standards within the childcare sector in the

Western Board area. Some of this work is ongoing and will be continued and

developed further and new initiatives will be introduced.

7.1 Training

In autumn 1998 the first phase of the Training Bursary Initiative from

the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) became operational. This

initiative was delivered through the Western Area Early Years

Committee and co-ordinated through the WAEYC Training Sub Group

who recruited a NVQ/Training Co-ordinator to oversee the project.

With support from the WHSSB Training Team the WAEYC were able to

facilitate the training needs of a high percentage of practitioners in the

childcare sector wishing to access funding to attain a qualification. The

funding from SSI focused on NVQ levels II and III, while the additional

funds were allocated to a variety of other qualifications.

The second phase of the initiative began in September 1999 with

funding from the Social Services Training Team, an allocation from the

Childhood Fund and funding from SSI. All of this work was co-ordinated

through the Training Sub Group.

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32

Table 9 below gives a breakdown of the grants awarded.

Western Health & Social Services Board Training Bursaries Initiative

September 1998 to September 2000

SPERRIN LAKELAND FOYLE TRUST

SECTOR EY

II

EY

III

PW

II

PW

III

BA

(Hons)

D32/

D33

UKU High

Scop

e

EY

II

EY

III

PW

II

PW

III

High

Scope

BTECH

EY

HNC D32/

D33

Totals

Childminders 5 11 - - - - - 11 4 - - - - - 1 32

Playgroup - 10 3 2 - 10 - - 1 - - 26

Statutory - 2 - - - - 2 2 5 8 1 - 20

Creche - 3 - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - 7

Private - 3 - - - - - - - 7 - - - - - - 10

Out Of School 9 5 - - - - 3 - 2 2 - - - - 21

TOTALS 5 29 9 5 3 2 2 2 14 25 2 2 5 9 1 - 116

SPERRIN LAKELAND = 57 FOYLE TRUST = 59

The Bursary initiative is now drawing to a close and all monies allocated

have been spent and the majority of funded candidates have

completed their qualifications. A full evaluation of the project can be

obtained from the WACCP report “Vocational Qualifications in Early

Years Care and Education and Playwork” available from the Child Care

Partnership Co-ordinator or on the WACCP's website.

Strong relationships have been built up with the Training Providers to

ensure that the courses and training they provide meets the standards

required by the Childcare Sector. The Training Sub-committee has

developed a Directory of Training Providers which is available from the

Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator or the website.

The work initiated through the Training Bursary Project has raised the

profile of the childcare both within the sector and with policy makers.

Major benefits in terms of additional training bursaries and the Training

Strategy have resulted, but more work is required. The Partnership in

April 2000 recognised the need to regularly review its strategy in

relation to the needs of children and their families. The development

of a quality childcare sector plays a major part in this strategy.

The remit of the Training Sub-committee will change from specifically

training orientated to Quality Assurance and Development. This

change will reflect the outcomes of the original project and the need to

ensure that training contributes to a broader developmental process for

practitioners, groups and the children and families using them. The

group will require the development of a set of policies and procedures

to overarch the work to be undertaken.

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It is essential that any funding available be utilized in the most effective

manner possible. Links with funding bodies will be essential to avoid

duplication and waste. The links to current national and international

strategies will also be essential to ensure that the overall outcomes

provide a blanket of quality services.

Table 10 below outlines current funding available for Childcare

Training.

The Bursary scheme is one of the most successful projects undertaken

by the Partnership. There is now a workforce trained to recommended

levels, however it is essential to build on this. The next training phase

will include:

�� Maintenance of the workforce at least to the recommended levels:

�� Training of staff to NVQ IV and Degree Level;

�� Identifying specialist training including work with children with special

needs, child protection and first aid;

�� Capacity building with management committees;

�� Specialist training for staff working in Sure Start projects.

If the successes already achieved are to be maintained it is essential

for the Partnership to develop a long-term training strategy including

identifying future funding sources.

7.2 Good Practice Network

The Child Care Partnership, through the Quality Assurance / Quality

Development sub-group will build on the links it has with the Good

Practice Network. It will continue to share best practice and

Available Data on Current Funding in Early Years Care & Education

February 2002

EDUCATION BOARD

21%

EMPLOYER

4%

SELF

4%

OTHER

50%

ESF

2%

NEW DEAL

3%

JOBSKILLS

7%

WORKTRACK

3%

ENTERPRISE

ULSTER 4%

DEL

2%

ILA

0%

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34

disseminate this information, not only to the Limavady District Council

Area but to all areas within the Western Board.

The Partnership will also make contact with the other 2 Good Practice

Networks within Northern Ireland to learn from their models of best

practice.

7.3 Registration and inspection

There are 2 main bodies who are responsible for the registration and

inspection of childcare provision. These are the Early years Teams

within the Trusts and the Education and Training Inspectorate.

The role of the Trusts Early Years Teams is to register all childcare

facilities and to inspect them regularly to ensure they continue to meet

the quality standards which have been set. It is important to

acknowledge that the standards set by the Early Years Teams is the

minimum requirement and all groups are encouraged to aim for higher

standards within their settings.

The Education and Training Inspectorate inspect pre-school providers

(statutory, voluntary and private) who are part of the Pre-school

Education expansion Programme.

Inspections or visits are also made to providers who are in accredited

programmes such as High Scope and Effective Early Learning. This can

result in providers receiving advice from 3 different sources and in a

small percentage of cases this advice can be contradictory. A series of

meetings have been arranged between the different agencies to try to

co-ordinate the expectations of the inspecting agencies.

It is important to note that with new funding streams creating a range

of new provision all of which has to be registered and inspected by the

Trusts Early Years Teams an additional burden has been placed upon

them with the result that they are finding it difficult to meet their

statutory requirements. This should be considered as part of the review

of resources.

7.4 Accreditation of Early Years Services

One of the most effective methods of improving quality standards is to

encourage providers to have their services accredited.

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Umbrella Organisations such as NIPPA have an accreditation process

for member groups. Throughout the process of assessment, which

entails meeting Benchmark Standards, groups are supported by their

NIPPA Advisors.

NIPPA also promotes quality programmes such as Highscope, Effective

Early Learning and the Reggio Emelia approach to learning.

7.5 Monitoring and evaluation

Much work has been undertaken recently on monitoring and evaluating

projects and their practice. This has been particularly significant within

the Sure Start projects which have included a range of models of

monitoring and evaluation to help ensure high quality services.

The Child Care Partnership in co-operation with the statutory and

voluntary sectors will promote monitoring and evaluation of all services

as a method of improving quality provision. This will be in addition to

the registration and inspection processes undertaken by the Trusts and

the Education and Training Inspectorate.

7.6 Other developments

As part of the strategy/action plan the Partnership will develop other

initiatives. These will include:

�� Funding/planning pilot projects to improve quality standards;

�� Sharing and learning from best practice locally, regionally, nationally

and internationally;

�� Attending conferences, seminars and workshops;

�� Exchange visits.

The importance of improving quality standards cannot be

overestimated therefore the Partnership intends to invest heavily both

financially and with other available resources in this area of work.

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8 FUNDING

During the last 5 years significant amounts of funding have been put into the

Childcare Sector from a range of different funders. This funding has included

capital, staffing, revenue and training. This has eased the burden on

organisations who, before that, spent a high percentage of their time in

fundraising exercises. A lot of energy was put into small fundraising schemes

such as jumble sales and raffles with only minimum returns from these

ventures. The result of Peace and Reconciliation Funding from the European

Union and other sources has meant that groups can now concentrate their

time and energy into providing a quality programme for the children who use

their services.

With additional funding there also comes more accountability. This has

meant that groups now have to keep very precise and up to date records of

all financial transactions and return these to the funders at the end of the

financial year. The Partnership has recognised that this has been a problem

for many management committees who do not have the capacity to

undertake this work. It is therefore essential that training is provided for

members of management committees to ensure that they are properly skilled

in financial accountability.

The main sources of funding for the child care sector are outlined below.

8.1 Childhood Fund

Under Peace I NIPPA has played a central role in the delivery of this

major European Union investment, the Childhood Fund brought a

much-needed injection of revenue and capital funding.

In total under the first round of Peace funding, 277 projects within the

Western Board Area have received funding. Over the lifespan of the

programme the Childhood Fund awarded £ 4,329,926 within the Area,

broken down as follows:

Table 11. Childhood Fund grants

Type of funding Number of projects Amount

Revenue 259 3,102,089

Capital 18 1,227,837

Total 277 4,329,926

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Awards were made to projects for an array of activities which ranged

from revenue grants towards running costs, training and much need

salary costs, to major capital awards for, outdoor play areas,

renovation of existing buildings as well as numerous new buildings

within the area.

The first round of Peace funding built a strong foundation, whilst Peace

II provides the sector with opportunities to develop what has been

achieved to date and continue the process of building a vibrant early

years infrastructure which meets the needs of children, parents and

communities in Northern Ireland.

Under Peace II arrangements, NIPPA have again been selected to

deliver two actions through the Peace II programme, listed under

Priority 2 Social Inclusion and Integration, which is delivered under two

headings:

Measure 2.5 Investing in childcare

Measure 2.8 Accompanying Infrastructure and Equipment Support

As a result £9 million will be made available to enhance and develop

high quality community based early years services and promote

intervention as an effective means of combating educational

underachievement, poverty and social exclusion.

Peace II provides opportunities for Northern Irelands Youngest Citizens,

their families and communities to come together, to develop Peace and

address the legacy of the past conflict.

For information on Peace II funding, visit the NIPPA and European

Structural Funds website at:

www.nippa.org

www.eugrants.org

8.2 Play Care

PlayClubs funded under Peace I continued to operate during 2001. Of

the 19 clubs funded, 3 were awarded GAP funding of varying time

spans. All groups in receipt of Peace I funding completed their claims

in July 2001. The table below shows the funding order measures 1.3

and 1.4.

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Table 12. Playcare measures 1.3 and 1.4.

1.3 1.4

Awarded £822,928.09 £88,038.04

Allocated £795,870.12 £86,908.04

All clubs were supported to look at their sustainability and exit

strategies. Most clubs applied to the New Opportunity Fund and 16

were successful in obtaining further funding. Some clubs have now

been awarded continuation funding for Year 2 and 3.

Clubs were also supported in building up their capacity through revising

fees and linking with government in initiatives such as Working Family

Tax Credit.

The PlayCare Development Officer continues to work with PlayClubs

and Local Government Agencies, Social Services and Local

Development Associations.

PlayBoard have once again been awarded as an Intermediary Funding

Body (IFB) for Peace II. PlayBoard will be involved in the

administration of £3m to PlayClubs over the next 4 years. Funding

allocation comes under the 1.5 funding “Positive Action for Women”.

This funding will be allocated in two rounds. The call for applications

opened in Jan 2002 and closed on 11 Feb 2002. Funding is available to

all existing Play Clubs and to communities wishing to open new clubs.

The table below outlines the funding for sustaining PlayClubs funded

under Peace I and the allocation for new projects under Peace II for

each Partnership area.

Table 13. Peace II funding for Playcare per Partnership.

Board Area 20% of allocation

for new projects

80% for

sustaining clubs

from Peace I

Total

EHSSB 37% £111,000 £444,000 £555,000

WHSSB 22% £66,000 £264,000 £330,000

NHSSB 21% £63,000 £252,000 £315,000

SHSSB 20% £60,000 £240,000 £300,000

TOTAL £300,000 £1,200,000 £1,500,000

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8.3 New Opportunities Fund (NOF)

The New Opportunities Fund was established as a lottery distributor in

1999 with £9.9 million available for out of school hours childcare across

Northern Ireland. The Western Area Child Care Partnership has an

allocation of 22% of this figure which is approximately £2million. A

total of 2,264 places were to be created with this funding.

There are 2 routes for applications. These are single route applications

capped at a maximum award of £50,000 and a consortium route with

no ceiling but based on unit cost of approximately £550 per place.

In order to deliver this programme, the Partnership funded a

development worker from EYDF which was managed by PlayBoard.

The role of the development worker is to:

�� Assist the Child Care Partnership in developing and implementing a

local strategy for out of school hours child care

�� Identify need within local communities for out of school provision

linked to NOF target areas

�� Contribute to and make use of a mapping system to effectively use

NOF resources in Northern Ireland

�� Support, advise and develop local communities with an interest in

applying to NOF

�� Promote the concept of integrated provision of play, care and

education and develop demonstration models of excellence

�� Identify the training and developing needs of emerging projects

�� Work with community groups to enhance the quality of services they

offer and to ensure financial viability for schemes and promote

effective exit strategies.

Within the Western Board area there has been a high level of interest

in NOF funding. To date, over 38 groups have been funded with 2

groups already extending out of school provision further. The table

below shows the number of groups, number of places and amount of

money allocated by District Council Area.

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Table 14. NOF Out of School funding by district council area.

Council No. of Groups No. of Places Amounts

Derry 9 528 307,455

Fermanagh 10 620 357,621

Omagh 10 530 321,637

Limavady 4 296 98,721

Strabane 5 272 125,078

TOTALS 38 2246 1,210,512

Continuation 6 164,773

TOTAL SPEND £1,375,285

NOF funding in the Western Board area has been allocated to a variety

of types of provision. These have included breakfast clubs,

wraparound services, out of schools, holiday care and childminders. Of

the groups currently receiving NOF funding, 16 have previously been in

receipt of Playcare grants.

NICMA has been able to use NOF funding for set up grants to support

childminders in establishing their businesses and becoming registered.

The table below gives a breakdown of these grants and the number of

children minded in the Western Board area.

Table 15. NICMA Start Up Grants.

Number of

Grants

Under 5 Child

Care Places

Created

Over 5 Child

Care Places

Created

Total Places

Created

Foyle 93 130 100 323

Sperrin /

Lakeland

Omagh

33 48 30 111

Sperrin /

Lakeland

Enniskillen

31 34 27 92

Total 157 212 157 526

Recent changes to NOF awards has extended the number of years

groups can receive NOF funding. Initially only groups situated in the

5% most deprived wards could receive second and third year funding.

This has now been extended to the 25% most deprived wards. It is

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likely that approximately 90% of Western NOF groups can access

second and third year awards.

With applications for funding not ending until February 2003 it is

anticipated that the target of 2,664 new places in the Western Board

area will be exceeded.

The New Opportunities Fund has recently announced further funding

for out of schools for 4-14 year olds and also for services for children

from 0-3 years. A new amount of £9million is likely to result in

additional funding being available for one year funded out of school

projects in areas which are more sustainable and increased revenue

funding for second and third year existing groups for second and third

year grants.

Of the existing NOF groups approximately 33 are likely to be eligible for

second and third year funding. Currently 5 recipient groups have been

successful in obtaining continuation funding. Another 4 are awaiting

confirmation of second and third year awards.

With the new £9million available in 2002 the likely allocation to the

Western Area Child Care Partnership is outlined in the table below:

Table 16. Proposed NOF funding for 0-4 years and 4-14 years from 2002

AGE GROUPS WACCP

PERCENTAGES

TOTAL AMOUNT

0-3 years 22% £1,240,800

4-14years 22% £620,400

Total £1,861,200

Based on the financial projections and likely continuation spend across the

area it will be possible to create approximately 10 new out of school clubs.

Considering where NOF funding has been allocated the following areas

have been targeted for new out of school developments:

�� Magilligan / Limavady Council area

�� Caw, Victoria and Clondermott wards - Derry City Council Area East

�� Shantallow East and West – Derry City Council Area West

�� South, East and Ballycolman, Strabane Town

�� Newtownstewart, Strabane Rural

�� Fintona and Dromore, Omagh Rural

�� Castlecool, Rossary and Portora, Enniskillen Town

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�� Derrygormley, Bellcoo and Garrison, Enniskillen Rural West

�� Rosslea and Brookborough, Enniskillen Rural East.

As well as identifying target areas for new development the Child Care

Partnership will consider the following pieces of work:

�� An audit to identify further training needs

�� Capacity building to ensure business planning is central to existing

providers action to ensure services remain sustainable after NOF

funding

�� Further marketing needs to take place on Working Families Tax Credit

to ensure families of middle to low income and Loan Parents have

access to affordable child care

�� A joined up approach between services for 0-3 years and 4-14 years

should allow NOF funding to create and sustain services, particularly in

rural communities where infrastructure can be limited.

�� The Partnership needs to develop mechanisms to disseminate best

practice.

To date, out of schools provision has been cross community and open to

all. It is important therefore to ensure that groups have financial

assistance to provide more integrated childcare places for special needs

and vulnerable children.

The new NOF programme for children from 0-3 years will provide capital

funding for groups. It is important for the Partnership to ensure that

funding from other sources is available for revenue costs for groups to

ensure their long term financial stability. This has been enhanced by the

different selection panels of the Child Care Partnerships being

reconstituted as Strategic Funding Panel.

8.4 Early Years Development Fund

The Child Care Partnerships are allocated financial assistance from the

DHSS&PS through the Early Years Development Fund. This funding is to

aid the partnerships in infrastructural support for their work. During 2001-

2002 Early Years Development Fund was used for the following:

�� Support the staffing needs of the Partnership

�� Provide funding for local Early Years fora

�� Commission and publish research into the needs of children with

disabilities and their families

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�� Commission the Parents Advice Centre to undertake work with parents

groups to ensure consultation with parents so that their views and

needs can be expressed

�� Funding for training

�� A grant aid scheme for voluntary organisations working with children

with special needs (26 grants allocated).

The Early Years Development Fund is a small allocation of money to the

Partnership however, it has enabled the Partnership to, not only support

its infrastructure, but to provide grants to organisations working with a

range of different groups. In planning how to allocate future funding

EYDF will come under the umbrella of the Strategic Funding Panel and will

complement funding from all the other sources available to the Child Care

Partnership.

8.5 Other Funding Sources

There are a number of other funding sources which are available to the

child care sector.

8.5.1 Health and Social Services Trust

Both Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts provide Grant Aid to

playgroups. This grant aid is limited and has not been increased over

the last number of years. It is targeted at groups who do not receive

PEAG places.

8.5.2 Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG)

The Pre-Education Expansion Programme commenced in 1998. The

aim of the Western Education and Library Board’s (WELB) Pre-School

Education Advisory Group (PEAG) is to provide quality education places

for children in their pre-school year.

The objective of the Pre-School Education Advisory Group is to provide

additional places, in a range of settings in the voluntary, private and

statutory nursery sectors. Children from socially disadvantaged

circumstances and the oldest pre-school 4 year olds (those with July or

August birthdays) will be given priority in the first instance. The longer

term aim is to provide a full year of pre-school education for any child

whose parents wish it.

There are 1270 funded places available in the voluntary/private sector

under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme. Recurrent

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44

funding of approximately £1.5million will be allocated to voluntary and

private providers in the programme every year.

The PEEP has established 36 new nursery units, 9 of which are

Community Nursery Units. The final 8 nursery units will be opening in

September 2002.

The table below indicates by District Council Area the Department of

Education Expected Provision and the proposed provision by 2002.

Table 17. PEAG funded places and percentages.

District

Council

Area

P1

Population

Department

of Education

Expected

Provision

Department

of Education

Expected

Provision as

% of P1

Population

Proposed

Provision

by 2002

Proposed

Provision

as % of P1

Population

Omagh 741 621 83.8 639 86.2

Fermanagh 805 670 83.2 690 85.7

Strabane 563 481 85.4 527 93.6

Limavady 485 404 83.3 395 81.4

Derry 1738 1508 86.8 1660 95.5

8.5.3 Local Strategic Partnerships

The District Partnerships have been restructured in preparation for

Peace II as Local Strategic Partnerships. Similar to District Partnerships

there is one in each of the 5 District council areas in the Western Board

area. The LSP’s will consider applications for funding from childcare

providers under the Peace II initiative. It is important to ensure that

there is communication between the Local Strategic Partnerships and

other funders, particularly Childhood Fund and Playcare to ensure that

the grants which they allocate are complementary and not duplication.

8.5.4 The Community Fund

The National Lottery Charity Board has changed its name to the

Community Fund and offers grants to childcare providers.

8.5.5 BBC Children In Need

The BBC Children in Need has provided significant funding to the

childcare sector since its inception.

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45

8.5.6 Londonderry Regeneration Initiative (LRI)

LRI Funding for the childcare sector is allocated through the Western

Health and Social Services Board and applications for funding can be

made directly to the Director of Social Care, WHSSB. It only provides

funding within the Derry City Council area.

8.5.7 Children's Fund

The Children's Fund will be launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly

in 2002 and will provide funding for both the statutory and voluntary

sectors for the creation of services for children.

8.5.8 Trust Funds

There are a number of Trust Funds which provide funding to the

childcare sector in Northern Ireland.

8.6 Sustainability

Although the childcare sector has received considerable additional funding

over the last number of years, practically all of this funding is short-term

and the maximum term for grants are normally 2 to 3 years. This has

made long term financial planning very difficult for the groups working in

the sector. They are often required to give elaborate exit strategies

however, their only source is the statutory sector which will not have

funding for long term sustainability.

This has been recognised at Departmental level, child care partnership level

and with groups on the ground. The Children First Advisory Forum has

established a working group to look at sustainability. This group will report

back its findings to CFAF and the Interdepartmental Group on Early Years

during 2002.

It is important that planning for sustainability takes place at all levels

therefore the Child Care Partnership will look at sustainability within the

Western Board area and will consider the findings of the CFAF working

group before deciding on a strategy.

One of the major issues at present is the report from NIPPA which

identified 18 PEAG places per session as a viable number to make groups

sustainable. This exercise, although useful when it was initially carried out,

is now out of date and was never meant as a definitive number for longterm

sustainability even though it has been used in the planning and

assessing of Peace II applications. This should be re-evaluated in more

depth to establish the true costs of providing childcare services.

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46

Groups on the ground must now begin to plan their longer term funding

strategies, particularly in the light of Peace II being the last round of

European funding. The Child Care Partnership can aid this exercise by

helping build capacity within management committees and local

communities and helping them to identify alternative sources of funding

when their current grants come to an end.

It is essential that all childcare funders create opportunities to meet and

share their strategic planning. This will ensure a more joined up approach

to funding which should help improve providers opportunities for

sustainability.

The IDEGEY and Child Care Partnerships are in an ideal position to facilitate

this sharing of information between funding bodies and have a number of

examples of it. This, however, needs to be built on if providers are to

remain sustainable.

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9 WORKPLAN FOR 2002 – 2005

Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

1. Restructure the

WACCP

a)To identify new

members of the

WACCP

�� Establish working group to consider

involvement in WACCP of employers

�� Implement recommendations of Parents

Advice Centre Pilots on involvement in

WACCP of employers

�� Write to CEO’s of relevant organisations

�� Induction for new members

All relevant sectors

and interests will

have a seat on the

WACCP.

An induction policy

for new members

will be in place.

A mechanism for

the involvement of

employers and

parents will be in

place.

WACCP

WACCP

Chair

Co-ordinator

b)To identify new

members of substructure

�� Write to CEO’s of relevant organisations

�� Induction for new sub-structure members

All relevant sectors

and interests will

be involved in the

sub-groups, local

early years fora

and working

groups.

Chair

Co-ordinator/Chair

of Sub-Groups

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Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

c)To agree Terms of

Reference for all

groups

�� Each sub-group to draft own Terms of

Reference

�� Share with WACCP and redraft

Each sub-group

and working group

will have its own

terms of reference.

Convener/

members of

subgroup

Convener

d)To agree

Partnership’s work

programme for

2002-2003

�� Organise Planning day

�� Draft Action Plan

�� Implement Action Plan

The Partnership

will have a

timetable for its

work and identified

priorities and

duties for

completion of the

various tasks.

Chair/Co-ordinator

Facilitator

WACCP

e) To identify

support needs of the

WACCP to carry out

its duties

�� Agree staff required

�� Agree lead agency

�� Recruit staff when necessary

�� Induct staff

�� Develop work programme

EYDF Budget set

for 2002-2003.

Employ necessary

staff to facilitate

the work of the

Partnership.

All new staff

members will have

received induction.

WACCP

WACCP

Lead agency

Lead agency

Lead

agency/WACCP

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Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

2. Establish quality

assurance

framework

a) To develop and

implement a

quality assurance

strategy

�� Draft strategy and endorse it

�� Implement strategy

A Quality

Assurance

Framework will be

in place.

Quality Assurance/

Quality

Development

Group

b) To work in

partnership with

relevant bodies

�� Establish mechanisms for consultation

with Early Years Teams, SSI, ETI and

voluntary community care sector

�� Work with the Good Practice Network on

the dissemination of information on best

practice

�� Provide information on the website

�� Provide information in newsheet

�� Promote the registration of childminders

Regular meetings

with EY Teams,

SSI and ETI will

have taken place.

Have agreed a

process for sharing

information from

Good Practice

Network.

Provided

information on

quality in the

website.

Written and

circulated 2

newsheets.

Agreed a

mechanism for

providing the

registration of

childminders.

Quality

Assurance/Quality

Development

Group

Quality

Assurance/Quality

Development

Group

Information Officer

Information Officer

Quality Assurance-

Development

Group/NICMA

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Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

c) To promote

standards on good

practice

�� Develop/share standards on best practice

�� Provide training on best practice

�� Encourage groups to have policies and

procedures in place for all areas of

practice

Identify training

priorities, identified

funding for training

and provided

grants.

Agreed policies

and procedures all

childcare providers

should have in

place.

Quality

Assurance/Quality

Development

Group

Quality

Assurance/Quality

Development

Group

Umbrella

organisations

Quality

Assurance/Quality

Development

Group

d)To promote an

ethos of monitoring

and evaluating

services

�� Ensure mechanisms are in place for

monitoring financial and non-financial

returns from Sure Start projects

�� Encourage all providers to monitor and

evaluate their practice

�� Provide training on monitoring and

evaluation

Inspected quarterly

financial and new

financial monitoring

reports for Sure Start.

A policy will be in

place for promoting,

monitoring and

evaluation of practice.

Developed a training

programme on

monitoring and

evaluation.

WHSSB

Quality Assurance /

Quality Development

sub-group

Quality Assurance /

Quality Development

sub-group

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Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

3. Develop

mechanisms for

improving

information

within the Child

Care sector

a)To ensure there is

a two way flow of

information between

organisations /

individuals within the

sector

�� Develop / launch WACCP website

�� Develop / launch newsheet

�� Promote membership of local early years

fora.

�� Provide opportunities for consultation

�� Build relationships with County childcare

committees in Republic of Ireland

Website will be

operational.

First 2 copies of

newsheet will be

published.

Have met

representatives

from county

childcare

committees and

established regular

forum.

Information Officer

Co-ordinator

Co-ordinator

WACCP

Co-ordinator /

Cross Border Rural

Childcare Project

b)To provide

statistical

information to the

Sector

�� Continue to update statistical information

�� Publish any new or amended information

on the website

Regularly update

information/

statistics/indicators

of need/gaps in

provision

Regularly update

information on

website

Information Officer

Information Officer

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Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

c)To develop a

range of directories

of services

�� Encourage all early years fora to publish

directories of services

�� Publish Directory of Services of childcare

training procedures

Each District

Council area will

have a directory of

childcare services.

Information on

training providers

will be available to

the sector.

Co-ordinator

Quality Assurance /

Quality

Development subgroup

4. To identify gaps

in provision and

target services

at these areas

a)To analyse

information on gaps

in provision

�� Breakdown statistics / information on

services to as low an area as possible

�� Prioritise areas where services should be

targeted

�� Identify how these services could be

established in particular areas

Areas in which to

target relevant

services will have

been identified.

Information Officer

WACCP / Trusts

WACCP / Trusts

b)To identify how

information can be

made more robust

�� Analyse information from RDC research

�� Analyse information from 2001 census to

establish how it could benefit planning for

childcare services

More robust

information will be

available for

planning/targeting

services

Information Officer

Information Officer

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53

Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

5. To develop a

strategy for long

term

sustainability

within the

Childcare Sector

a)To contribute to

the CFAF

sustainability

working group

�� Provide information on sustainability

�� Identify the main issues relating to

sustainability within the Childcare sector

Publication of work

of CFAF

sustainability subgroup

WACCP

WACCP

b)To develop a

Board with

Sustainability

Strategy / Action

Plan

�� Implement recommendations of CFAF

Sustainability sub-group

�� Identify main priorities / action which

need to be put in place

�� Provide training to the Sector on financial

accountability and capacity building

�� Provide information on funding sources

Identified main

areas for action

within Western

Board Area

Strategic Funding

Panel

Strategic Funding

Panel

Strategic Funding

Panel

Strategic Funding

Panel

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54

Key Target Related

Objectives

Activities 2002-2003 Performance

Indicators

Lead Role

c)To assess and

allocate funding

�� Assess and allocate Childhood Fund grants

�� Assess and allocate Playcare grants

�� Assess and allocate Early Years

Development Funds grants

�� Assess and allocate other grants as

appropriate

Funding from

various sources

will have been

allocated to the

sector

Strategic Funding

Panel

Strategic Funding

Panel

Strategic Funding

Panel

Strategic Funding

Panel

5 d) to contribute to

the development of

New grant

programmes

�� Identifying priority areas for new grants

�� Inform relevant grant making body

Strategic Funding

Panel

Strategic Funding

Panel

REFERENCES

1. Article 20 Review, Foyle Trust.

2. Article 20 Review, Sperrin Lakeland HSC Trust

3. Children First, NI Child Care Strategy, DHSS, DENI, T&E Agency

4. Directory of Training Providers, Western Board area, WACCP, Training

Sub-Group

5. Enabling Ability, Karen Casson & Maria Herron

6. Locality Profiles, Information Dept, WHSSB

7. Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, Social Disadvantage

Research Centre, Dept of Social Policy and Social Work, University of

Oxford

8. Rural Baselining Initiative, A Work In Progress, Rural Development

Council

9. Social Security Statistics Agency

10. Vocational Qualifications in Early Years Care, Education and Playwork,

WACCP, Training Sub-Group

11. Western Area PEAG Action Plan, December 2001

APPENDICES

Appendix I

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

C&YPC Children and Young Peoples Committee

CBRCCP Cross-border Rural Childcare Project

CCP Child Care Partnership

CFAF Children First Advisory Forum

CSP Children’s Services Plan

DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

DE Department of Education and Learning

DEL Department of Employment and Learning

DHSS&PS Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety

ETI Education and Training Inspectorate

EYDF Early Years Development Fund

IDGEY Inter-departmental Group on Early Years

NICMA Northern Ireland Childminding Association

NIPPA Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association

NLCB National Lottery Charities Board

NOF New Opportunities Fund

PEAG Pre-school Education Advisory Group

PEEP Pre-school Education Expansion Programme

SSI Social Services Inspectorate

WACCP Western Area Child Care Partnership

WAEYC Western Area Early Years Committee

WELB Western Education and Library Board

WHSSB Western Health and Social Services Board

Appendix II

MEMBERSHIP OF THE WACCP

Name Organisation Sector

Ms Carmel Rooney (Chair) WHSSB Health & Social Care

Ms Margaret Kelly WHSSB Health & Social Care

Mr Eamon McTernan WACYPC Health & Social Care

Mr Gerry Conway Foyle Trust Health & Social Care

Vacant Sperrin/Lakeland Trust Health & Social Care

Ms Veronica Baird Westcare Health & Social Care

Mr Seamus Gunn DEL Training and

employment

Mr Paddy Mackey WELB Education

Mr Shaun McBride NICIE Education

Mr Peter Duffy CCMS Education

Mr Paddy McGahan DARD Rural

Ms Ann Brolly Limavady Borough

Council

Councils

Mr Gerry Craig Derry City Council Councils

Mr Brian McMahon Strabane District Council Councils

Mr Vincent Brogan Omagh District Council Councils

Mr Jim Ledwith Fermanagh District

Council

Councils

Ms Nora Nevin NIPPA Voluntary

Ms Carol Gallagher NICMA Voluntary

Vacant Childcare NI Voluntary

Ms Marguerite Hunter-

Blair

PlayBoard Voluntary

Mr Danny Cassidy Altram Irish Medium

Ms Bridgeen Irwin Limavady Early years

Forum

Local Early Years Fora

Mr Joe McGrann Derry City Council Area

Early Years Forum

Local Early Years Fora

Vacant Strabane District Early

Years Network

Local Early Years Fora

Ms Mary Begley Omagh Area Childcare

Network

Local Early Years Fora

Ms Maeve McGuigan Fermanagh Early Years

Partnership

Local Early Years Fora

Limava

L/Derry

Straba

Castled

Oma

Enniskill

Lisnask

Appendix III

Registered Childcare Service Provision Profile by

Locality

Derry Council Area

Number of Children

0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total

Derry 5150 3635 9251 9860 5969 33865

Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates

Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group

Number of Children – 3635

Service No of Places Places per 1000*

children (3-4)

Playgroup* 909 250

No of Creches 20 -

Day Nursery Places 280 77

Statutory Nursery

Places

1378 379

Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group

Number of Children – 16,933

Service No of Places Places per 1000 children

(4-12)

Out of School Day Care 178 10

Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group

Number of Children – 27,896

Service No Of Childminders/

Places

Places per 1000

children (0-14)

Childminders Available 144 -

Childminding Places Available 587 21

Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.

* Playgroup figure includes Naiscoils and Family & Childcare Centres

Limavady

Londonderry

Strabane

Castlederg

Omagh

Enniskillen Lisnaskea

Limavady Council Area

Number of Children

0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total

Limavady 1339 1016 2674 2818 1637 9484

Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates

Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group

Number of Children – 1016

Service No of Places Places per 1000

children (3-4)

Playgroup 417 410

No of Creches 6 -

Day Nursery Places 73 72

Statutory Nursery

Places

208 204

Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group

Number of Children – 4896

Service No of Places Places per 1000 children

(4-12)

Out of School Day Care 140 29

Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group

Number of Children – 7,847

Service No Of

Childminders/Places

Places per 1000

children (0-14)

Childminders Available 83 -

Childminding Places Available 335 43

* Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.

Limavady

Londonderry

Strabane

Castlederg

Omagh

Enniskillen Lisnaskea

Strabane Council Area

Number of Children

0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total

Strabane 1723 1175 2801 3225 1955 10879

Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates

Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group

Number of Children – 1175

Service No of Places Places per 1000

children (3-4)

Playgroup 380 323

No of Creches - -

Day Nursery Places - -

Statutory Nursery

Places

364 309

Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group

Number of Children – 5211

Service No of Places Places per 1000 children

(4-12)

Out of School Day Care 137 26

Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group

Number of Children – 8,924

Service No Of

Childminders/Places

Childminders Available** 24

Childminding Places Available 82

Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.

*No of Places in Strabane Council Area (includes places from both Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts)

**No of Childminders based on those registered with Foyle Early Years Team catchment area.

Limavady

Londonderry

Strabane

Castlederg

Omagh

Enniskillen

Lisnaskea

Omagh Council Area

Number of Children

0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total

Omagh 2037 1403 3810 4348 2720 14318

Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates

Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group

Number of Children – 1403

Service No of Places Places per 1000

children (3-4)

Playgroup 592 421

No of Crèches 4 -

Day Nursery Places 130 93

Statutory Nursery

Places

286 203

Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group

Number of Children – 7075

Service No of Places Places per 1000 children

(4-12)

Out of School Day Care 218 31

Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group

Number of Children – 11,598

Service No Of

Childminders/Places

Childminders Available* 88

Childminding Places Available 365

Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.

* Childminders registered with Sperrin Early Years - Includes some parts of Strabane Council Area

Limavady

Londonderry

Strabane

Castlederg

Omagh

Enniskillen

Lisnaskea

Fermanagh Council Area

Number of Children

0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total

Fermanagh 2311 1729 4391 4921 3012 16364

Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates

Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group

Number of Children – 1729

Service No of Places Places per 1000

children (3-4)

Playgroup 680 393

No of Crèches 1 -

Day Nursery Places 259 150

Statutory Nursery

Places

364 210

Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group

Number of Children – 8177

Service No of Places Places per 1000 children

(4-12)

Out of School Day Care 164 20

Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group

Number of Children – 13,352

Service No Of

Childminders/Places

Places per 1000

children (0-14)

Childminders Available 116 -

Childminding Places Available 376 28

* Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.

Appendix IV

NUMBER OF CHILDREN 0-14 AT WARD LEVEL

The information below gives an indication of the number of children aged 0-

14 at electoral ward level. The Partnership is tasked with the role of planning

strategically for the childcare provision of those in this age group. The

information is sourced from the uptake of child benefit at ward level.

Derry

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14 Years

Altnagelvin 954 Creggan South 645 New Buildings 865

Ballynashallog 718 Crevagh 1442 Pennyburn 1083

Banagher 724 Culmore 1682 Rosemount 618

Beechwood 429 Ebrington 647 Shantallow East 755

Brandywell 603 Eglinton 874 Shantallow West 2076

Carn Hill 867 Enagh (Derry) 831 Springtown 952

Caw 634 Foyle Springs 966 Strand (Derry) 582

Claudy 581 Holly Mount 909 The Diamond 1086

Clondermot 559 Kilfennan 521 Victoria (Derry) 709

Creggan

Central

853 Lisnagelvin 524 Westland 625

Strabane

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14 Years

Artigarvin 524 East 462 Sion Mills 532

Ballycolman 616 Finn 584 Slievekirk 416

Glenderg 514 South 741

Castlederg 536 Newtownstewart 461 Victoria Bridge 500

Clare 453 North 798 West 757

Dunnamanagh 432 Plumbridge 475

Omagh

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14 Years

Beragh 484 Drumquin 394 Lisanelly 549

Camowen 699 Drumragh 570 Newtownsaville 476

Clanabogan 428 Fairy Water 439 Owenkillew 514

Coolnagard 396 Fintona 446 Sixmilecross 467

Dergmoney 656 Gortin 430 Strule 337

Dromore 540 Gortrush 379 Termon 572

Drumnakilly 603 Killyclogher 577 Trillick 452

Limavady

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14 Years

Aghanloo 684 Feeny 442 Magilligan 318

Ballykelly 500 Forest 507 Rathbrady 249

Coolessan 439 Glack 322 Roeside 401

Dungiven 638 Greysteel 638 The Highlands 328

Enagh

(Limavady)

642 Greystone

(Limavady)

389 Upper Glenshane 411

Fermanagh

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14

Years

Ward 0-14 Years

Ballinamallard 470 Devenish 254 Lisnaskea 730

Belcoo and

Garrison

418 Donagh 262 Maguires Bridge 408

Belleek and

Boa

486 Erne 535 Newtownbutler 481

Boho Cleenish

and

Letterbreen

417 Florence Court

and Kinawley

376 Portora 845

Brookeborough 388 Irvinestown 468 Rosslea 439

Castlecoole 755 Kesh Ederney

and Lack

630 Rossorry 279

Derrygonnelly 417 Lisbellaw 546 Tempo 454

Derrylin 461 Lisnarrick 224

Source: Social Security Agency

Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, June 2001

Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure Domain (1 - Most Deprived, 566 - Least Deprived)

Ward Name LGD Name

Multiple

Deprivation

Measure

Score

Rank of

Multiple

Deprivation

Measure

Domain Ward Name LGD Name

Multiple

Deprivation

Measure

Score

Rank of

Multiple

Deprivation

Measure

Domain Ward Name LGD Name

Multiple

Deprivation

Measure

Score

Rank of

Multiple

Deprivation

Measure

Domain

Brandywell Derry 70.95 6 Irvinestown Fermanagh 29.75 138 Derrylin Fermanagh 16.84 310

Creggan South Derry 63.36 13 Culmore Derry 29.48 142 Aghanloo Limavady 16.56 318

The Diamond Derry 61.50 15 Lisanelly Omagh 29.07 145 Killyclogher Omagh 16.52 319

St. Peter's Derry 60.18 17 Crevagh & SpringtoDerry 28.88 147 Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh 16.00 326

Victoria Derry 58.29 18 Ebrington Derry 28.37 151 Clanabogan Omagh 15.91 327

East Strabane 56.52 21 Drumnakilly Omagh 28.11 152 Ballykelly Limavady 15.55 336

Creggan Central Derry 56.05 22 Banagher Derry 28.07 153 Strule Omagh 15.19 341

Shantallow East Derry 55.29 23 Feeny Limavady 27.76 157 Florence Court & Kinawle Fermanagh 14.99 346

Binevenagh Limavady 54.86 24 Artigarvan Strabane 27.39 160 Ballinamallard Fermanagh 14.91 347

Shantallow West Derry 53.11 27 Camowen Omagh 26.83 165 Maguires Bridge Fermanagh 14.82 350

Westland Derry 50.16 31 Rosslea Fermanagh 26.68 166 Island Fermanagh 14.68 353

Castlederg Strabane 49.71 34 Slievekirk Strabane 26.67 167 Eglinton Derry 14.13 364

Termon Omagh 46.97 39 Claudy Derry 26.23 170 Coolnagard Omagh 13.95 367

Glen Derry 46.16 42 Brookeborough Fermanagh 26.01 172 Pennyburn Derry 13.29 379

Rosemount Derry 46.14 43 Newtownsaville Omagh 25.99 173 Ballynashallog Derry 13.02 381

Fintona Omagh 46.08 44 Trillick Omagh 25.94 174 Rathbrady Limavady 12.87 384

Carn Hill Derry 44.55 49 Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 25.61 177 Lisbellaw Fermanagh 12.16 399

Beechwood Derry 43.92 52 Finn Strabane 25.44 180 Fairy Water Omagh 12.16 400

Glenderg Strabane 43.45 57 North Strabane 25.04 188 Roeside Limavady 11.63 410

Corrody Derry 43.29 58 Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 24.98 190 Castlecoole Fermanagh 10.05 432

Coolessan Limavady 41.89 62 Erne Fermanagh 24.16 201 Rossorry Fermanagh 9.93 436

Strand Derry 40.55 65 Magilligan Limavady 23.79 207 Altnagelvin Derry 9.55 439

Clare Strabane 38.86 72 Glack Limavady 23.36 215

Owenkillew Omagh 38.86 73 Dungiven Limavady 22.90 220

Newtownstewart Strabane 38.52 77 Faughan Derry 22.73 223

Sion Mills Strabane 38.04 80 Dergmoney Omagh 22.33 226 Multiple Deprivation Measure constructed by using seven transformed

Dunnamanagh Strabane 37.77 83 The Highlands Limavady 22.28 227 domain scores as follows:

West Strabane 37.68 85 Upper Glenshane Limavady 22.25 228

Caw Derry 36.78 88 Enagh Limavady 21.83 235 Income (25%)

Plumbridge Strabane 36.10 92 Tempo Fermanagh 21.20 240 Employment (25%)

Victoria Bridge Strabane 35.53 94 Forest Limavady 20.88 246 Health, Deprivation and Disability (15%)

Sixmilecross Omagh 35.33 96 Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 20.61 251 Education, Skills and Training (15%)

South Strabane 34.92 98 Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 19.32 267 Geographical Access to Services (10%)

Dromore Omagh 32.72 114 New Buildings Derry 19.04 272 Social Environment (5%)

Drumquin Omagh 32.65 115 Lisnagelvin Derry 18.90 275 Housing Stress (5%)

Clondermot Derry 32.47 117 Boho, Cleenish & L Fermanagh 18.56 282

Newtownbutler Fermanagh 31.58 120 Donagh Fermanagh 18.36 286

Enagh Derry 31.26 125 Beragh Omagh 17.87 291

Devenish Fermanagh 31.02 128 Drumragh Omagh 17.78 292

Lisnaskea Fermanagh 30.94 129 Gortin Omagh 17.02 307

Gortrush Omagh 30.85 130 Gresteel Limavady 16.94 309

Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Child Poverty Measure (Wards Ranked 1 - 566)

1 - Most Deprived, 566 Least Deprived

Ward Name LGD Name

Rank of Child

Poverty

Measure

Child

Poverty

Measure

Score Ward Name LGD Name

Rank of

Child

Poverty

Measure

Child

Poverty

Measure

Score Ward Name LGD Name

Rank of

Child

Poverty

Measure

Child

Poverty

Measure

Score

Shantallow East Derry 1 92.39 Plumbridge Strabane 160 50.47 Castlecoole Fermanagh 348 32.32

Brandywell Derry 2 91.43 Culmore Derry 162 50.35 Donagh Fermanagh 349 32.31

Creggan South Derry 3 89.36 Erne Fermanagh 163 49.95 Faughan Derry 351 32.20

Shantallow West Derry 7 83.63 Enagh Limavady 164 49.82 Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 352 31.88

Creggan Central Derry 11 82.35 Upper Glenshane Limavady 171 49.11 Magilligan Limavady 361 31.48

East Strabane 18 79.10 Drumquin Omagh 175 48.48 Rossorry Fermanagh 362 31.37

Glen Derry 19 78.66 Clare Strabane 176 48.45 Florence Court & Kinawl Fermanagh 367 31.18

Coolessan Limavady 24 75.82 Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 177 48.41 Maguires Bridge Fermanagh 371 30.91

Victoria Derry 30 74.09 Trillick Omagh 178 48.32 Forest Limavady 375 30.39

Strand Derry 37 72.58 Feeny Limavady 179 48.14 Dergmoney Omagh 380 29.85

Castlederg Strabane 39 72.03 Termon Omagh 180 48.06 Lisbellaw Fermanagh 397 27.72

The Diamond Derry 42 71.62 Ebrington Derry 183 47.58 Derrylin Fermanagh 413 26.15

Carn Hill Derry 46 70.56 Victoria Bridge Strabane 188 47.05 Aghanloo Limavady 417 25.58

Devenish Fermanagh 49 69.83 Dungiven Limavady 189 47.03 Rathbrady Limavady 419 25.53

Beechwood Derry 50 69.71 Sixmilecross Omagh 205 45.28 Clanabogan Omagh 428 23.82

St. Peter's Derry 52 68.77 The Highlands Limavady 206 45.17 Roeside Limavady 429 23.81

Westland Derry 54 68.57 Brookeborough Fermanagh 212 44.25 Gortin Omagh 430 23.62

Binevenagh Limavady 59 67.04 Finn Strabane 213 44.16 Eglinton Derry 435 22.49

South Strabane 62 66.72 Lisnagelvin Derry 217 43.98 Altnagelvin Derry 437 22.03

Rosemount Derry 74 65.73 Drumnakilly Omagh 221 43.48 Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh 439 22.00

West Strabane 83 62.48 Artigarvan Strabane 229 42.77 Fairy Water Omagh 445 21.45

Lisanelly Omagh 90 61.10 Killyclogher Omagh 231 42.41 Ballynashallog Derry 461 19.89

Glenderg Strabane 92 60.88 Banagher Derry 234 42.16 Ballinamallard Fermanagh 467 19.27

Corrody Derry 102 59.07 Slievekirk Strabane 238 41.73 Drumragh Omagh 480 17.51

Newtownstewart Strabane 104 58.91 Island Fermanagh 260 39.74

Clondermot Derry 107 57.81 Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 262 39.64 Note:

Newtownbutler Fermanagh 114 57.04 North Strabane 266 39.24 The Child Poverty Measure is a sub-set of the Income Domain.

Sion Mills Strabane 127 54.41 Tempo Fermanagh 271 38.94 The Income Domain includes people of all ages, whereas the Child Poverty

Fintona Omagh 133 54.14 Strule Omagh 279 38.30 Measure is for 0-15 year olds only.

Camowen Omagh 138 53.37 Pennyburn Derry 284 38.03

Enagh Derry 139 53.36 Beragh Omagh 289 37.73 Indicators Used:

Dunnamanagh Strabane 143 53.17 Gresteel Limavady 304 35.96 Children In Income Support Households (DSD, August 1999)

Caw Derry 144 53.12 Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 305 35.94 Children In Income Based Job Seekers Allowance households (DSD, August 1999)

Crevagh & Springtow Derry 145 52.92 Newtownsaville Omagh 312 35.29

Gortrush Omagh 146 52.90 Boho, Cleenish & L Fermanagh 321 34.61 Children In Family Credit Households (DSD, August 1999)

Irvinestown Fermanagh 148 52.74 Glack Limavady 327 34.47 Children In Disability Working Allowance households (DSD, August 1999)

Lisnaskea Fermanagh 150 52.49 Coolnagard Omagh 333 33.80

Rosslea Fermanagh 154 51.71 Claudy Derry 335 33.46

Owenkillew Omagh 158 50.91 Ballykelly Limavady 340 33.13

Dromore Omagh 159 50.53 New Buildings Derry 344 32.65 Source: (NISRA, 2001)

Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Geographical ACCESS to Services Domain (Wards Ranked 1-566)

1 - Most Deprived, 566 Least Deprived

Ward Name LGD Name

Access

Domain

Score

Rank of

Access

Domain Ward Name LGD Name

Access

Domain

Score

Rank of

Access

Domain Ward Name LGD Name

Access

Domain

Score

Rank of

Access

Domain

Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 2.48 1 Gortin Omagh .86 99 Coolnagard Omagh -.41 370

Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 2.33 2 Artigarvan Strabane .83 103 Ballynashallog Derry -.42 372

Glenderg Strabane 2.08 3 Ballinamallard Fermanagh .80 111 Altnagelvin Derry -.44 379

Plumbridge Strabane 1.84 5 Maguires Bridge Fermanagh .76 115 Gortrush Omagh -.44 382

Owenkillew Omagh 1.83 6 Fairy Water Omagh .76 116 West Strabane -.45 383

Rosslea Fermanagh 1.78 8 Newtownstewart Strabane .76 117 Roeside Limavady -.45 384

Newtownbutler Fermanagh 1.59 11 Clanabogan Omagh .75 118 Pennyburn Derry -.55 416

Derrylin Fermanagh 1.56 12 Ballykelly Limavady .75 120 Shantallow East Derry -.55 418

Magilligan Limavady 1.56 13 Lisbellaw Fermanagh .67 138 Binevenagh Limavady -.55 420

Feeny Limavady 1.51 14 Gresteel Limavady .65 143 Lisanelly Omagh -.59 426

Dunnamanagh Strabane 1.45 18 Castlederg Strabane .50 177 East Strabane -.64 434

Upper Glenshane Limavady 1.39 23 Fintona Omagh .44 184 Creggan South Derry -.65 436

Banagher Derry 1.38 25 Faughan Derry .38 200 Creggan Central Derry -.72 455

Sixmilecross Omagh 1.36 26 Sion Mills Strabane .37 202 South Strabane -.73 457

Brookeborough Fermanagh 1.35 27 Eglinton Derry .36 204 Dergmoney Omagh -.79 474

Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 1.35 28 Dungiven Limavady .36 205 Glen Derry -.80 477

Termon Omagh 1.34 30 Enagh Derry .35 208 Brandywell Derry -.90 493

Glack Limavady 1.33 31 Irvinestown Fermanagh .33 213 Lisnagelvin Derry -.99 503

Clare Strabane 1.27 35 Lisnaskea Fermanagh .28 221 Devenish Fermanagh -1.03 512

Drumquin Omagh 1.26 39 Culmore Derry .27 225 Clondermot Derry -1.03 513

Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 1.24 42 New Buildings Derry .23 231 Beechwood Derry -1.17 526

Slievekirk Strabane 1.23 43 Corrody Derry .19 235 Rosemount Derry -1.27 534

The Highlands Limavady 1.22 45 Crevagh & SpringtowDerry .04 252 Victoria Derry -1.29 535

Florence Court & KinawFermanagh 1.22 46 Enagh Limavady .00 258 Ebrington Derry -1.38 540

Donagh Fermanagh 1.16 50 Shantallow West Derry -.04 271 Westland Derry -1.48 546

Boho, Cleenish & LetteFermanagh 1.15 52 Castlecoole Fermanagh -.04 272 The Diamond Derry -1.49 547

Trillick Omagh 1.15 53 Rossorry Fermanagh -.10 280 Island Fermanagh -1.61 553

Newtownsaville Omagh 1.13 54 Coolessan Limavady -.11 282 Strand Derry -1.78 562

Victoria Bridge Strabane 1.06 64 Drumragh Omagh -.12 284 Indicators Used:

Drumnakilly Omagh 1.04 66 North Strabane -.15 294 Access to a post office

Aghanloo Limavady 1.04 68 Killyclogher Omagh -.25 319 Access to a GP Surgery (given double weight)

Claudy Derry .99 77 Caw Derry -.27 325 Access to an Accident & Emergency Hospital (given double weight)

Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh .98 78 Strule Omagh -.33 345 Access to a dentist

Tempo Fermanagh .94 84 Rathbrady Limavady -.35 351 Access to an Optician

Dromore Omagh .89 92 Camowen Omagh -.35 352 Access to a pharmacist (given double weight)

Finn Strabane .89 93 Carn Hill Derry -.36 353 Access to a library

Beragh Omagh .88 97 Erne Fermanagh -.37 357 Access to a museum

Forest Limavady .87 98 St. Peter's Derry -.41 369 Access to a Social Security Office or a Training & Employment Agency

Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland

Multiple Deprivation Measure

Source: Measures of Deprivation in Northern

33 Most Deprived Wards

Within WHSSB

Key Indicators Used:

Income Deprivation - 25%

Employment Deprivation - 25%

Health deprivation & Disability -

15%

Geographical access to services -

10%

Social Environment - 5%

S %

Fermanagh

Omagh

Limavady

Derry

Strabane

Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland

Child Poverty Measure

Source: Measures of Deprivation in Northern

Fermanagh

Omagh

Strabane

33 Most Deprived Wards Within WHSSB Limavady

based on:

Children in Income Support Households

Children in Income Based Job Seekers Allowance

Households

Children in Family Credit Households

Children in Disability Working Allowance

Derry

Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland

Access to Services Measure

Limavady Council

Area

Derry Council

Area

Strabane Council

Area

Omagh Council

Area

Fermanagh Council

Area

33 Most Deprived Wards

Within WHSSB

Key Indicators Used:

Access to a post office

Access to a GP Surgery (given double weight)

Access to an Accident & Emergency Hospital (given double weight)

Access to a dentist

Access to an Optician

Access to a pharmacist (given double weight)

Access to a library

Access to a museum

Access to a Social Security Office or a Training & Employment

Agency

Source: Measure of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, 2001