Launch of Barnardo's NI Independent Guardian Service

Launch of Independent Guardian Service

Barnardo's NI has launched a new regional service to support children in Northern Ireland who are separated from their families and home countries, including those who have been trafficked.

Over the last three years an average of 13 separated children have been referred to the Health Trusts each year. Barnardo's new service will support those who are under 18years offering specialist knowledge and promoting their welfare.

Director Barnardo's NI Lynda Wilson said:

“We are very pleased to be providing this service for some of the most vulnerable children and young people. Sadly there are increasing numbers of separated and trafficked children in Northern Ireland and trying to navigate through the legal processes can be an overwhelming experience for them especially when they are so young, are on their own and often have limited to no English. Some of the countries these children are coming from include Sudan, Somalia, Albania and China. Our Independent Guardians will be qualified to assist with legal advice and support on immigration and asylum matters concerning these children. The aim of the Independent Guardian Service is to provide specialist knowledge to safeguard and promote the welfare of child victims of human trafficking and always act in the best interest of the child.”

Health and Social Care Board Commissioning Lead, Deirdre Coyle said:

“It is my pleasure to welcome today’s launch of the new Independent Guardian Service for Northern Ireland which Barnardo’s has been appointed to provide. The Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act (NI) 2015, introduced to provide protection from traffickers and tackle modern slavery and exploitation, included a duty for the Health and Social Care Board to establish an independent guardian service for Northern Ireland.

Guardians will undertake a crucial role for children who are victims or potential victims of trafficking and those who are separated. These children often face great anxiety and uncertainty about their futures and must also navigate a number of unfamiliar processes to reach durable solutions about their future. The regional Independent Guardian Service is intended to strengthen the safeguarding arrangements to such children and specifically to assist, represent and support such children by listening to their views and making representation to, and liaising closely with, all other agencies that fulfil key functions in the arrangements for their immediate and future care and protection.

As this new service embeds, the Health and Social Care Board and Barnardo’s NI are committed to ensuring timely, coordinated and collaborative action and decision making which promotes the welfare of this group of vulnerable children and serves their best interests”.

Barnardo’s NI Independent Guardian Service will work across Northern Ireland supporting separated and trafficked children who have been referred to the five Health and Social Care Trusts.

Pictured at the launch are: (l-r) Marian Hall, HSCT Board, Lynda Wilson, Director Barnardo's NI, Lord Morrow, Neil McKittrick Barnardo's, Michele Janes Assistant Director Barnardo's NI and Mark Baillie from CARE. The service has been introduced under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (NI) Act 2015 and is funded by the Health & Social Care Board.

Last updated 4 years 10 months ago