Barnardo's NI launches its BMER service evaluation report

Also speaking at the event were Fuli Bai Wu from China and Asma Aljunaid. Both women told how isolated they had felt when they first moved to Northern Ireland, particularly because of the language barrier but how through Tuar Ceatha they were beginning to feel more integrated and settled which benefits both them and their children.

Overall the evaluation suggested high levels of satisfaction with the service and in addition found that parents reported an increased understanding of child development, a reduction in social isolation and an increase in participation and integration through access to the service. It also made a number of recommendations for the service, including that the service should expand its work with schools to increase cultural competency, provide staff training and influence home-school communication links. It also recommends that there should be a specialist worker for BMER families living with disability. Junior Minister Jonathan Bell "Our minority ethnic community continues to grow in size and diversity and as a consequence its needs have also increased in size and complexity. The report points the way for Barnardo's to provide smarter help and its findings can also inform the needs of the sector as we re-work the OFMDFM Racial Equality Strategy."

Pictured l-r are: Asma Aljunaid, Minister Bell, Tuar Ceatha Manger Joan McGovern and Fuli Bai Wu.