Childrens' Needs: Now and in the Future
Principal Investigator: Dr Karen Smith, Asst. Prof. in Social Justice (Equality Studies)
Funding organisation: Barnardos Ireland, Dublin.
Background
This study was commissioned by Barnardos Ireland. It was carried out by Dr. Karen Smith, Assistant Professor in Equality Studies at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. Research assistance was provided by Mr. Rory Wasylyk and Ms. Sinead Jones. Dr. Marta Bustillo (UCD Library and Information Services) provided guidance on literature search strategies and Dr. Maureen Lyons provided management support.
Aims and objectives
The purpose of the research was to present an overview of the social, political, and economic context for children in Ireland, with a particular focus on the circumstances of vulnerable children, to support the development of Barnardos’ next strategic plan which will run from 2022-2027. The overarching aim was to set out an assessment of the level of need affecting children, taking note in particular of the impact of the Covid pandemic; current political and funding priorities; the gaps and shortcomings in services for children in Ireland; and the policy framework. The study involved three main components: Critical review of current policy and provision for children and families in Ireland Assessment of the current situation for children in Ireland based on available research and data, with a particular focus on children disadvantaged on equality and other grounds and on the structural and policy factors which impact on their lives and life chances Assessment of the current and future impact of societal challenges, in particular the Covid-19 pandemic, on children and young people in Ireland based on review of the existing literature.
Approach
This study relied mainly on desk-based research, supplemented by a small number of key informant interviews and communications. As the initial terms of reference emphasised the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, literature-searching for this aspect of the report was the priority. Searches were conducted of a number of databases including Web of Science; Dimensions; CORE; and GoogleScholar in order to access relevant scholarly and grey literature in relation to the impact on children of the pandemic and associated public health restrictions. These searches were mainly carried out in March-April 2021. The study drew from Critical Childhood Studies, Equality Studies and Critical Race Studies in conceptualising the issues. Accordingly, childhood disadvantage was viewed in social and relational terms. This involved taking into account that children as a social group are structurally disadvantaged in relation to adults , with implications for inequalities across the various dimensions identified by Baker et al (2009): respect and recognition; resources; working and learning; and love, care, and solidarity, and most especially power. The effects of disadvantage on the basis of childhood status (e.g. lack of political rights, increased risks of violence) on individuals are mediated by the interplay of unequal child relations with other axes of inequality. What Crenshawe refers to as intersecting inequalities create distinct forms of disadvantage which have profound implications for the distribution of resources and opportunities across the child population.
Overview of findings and implications
Examination of the framework for policy and service provision found that while there have been a series of largely welcome reforms which have transformed the policy-making and service delivery structures, there remain significant gaps and geographical variation in availability of child protection, family support services, and health and developmental services. While policy is focused on reducing disparities in outcomes, there has been inadequate attention to date to addressing inequalities which shape children’s experiences and outcomes. While the evidence base has increased significantly in the last two decades, there remain gaps in knowledge and evidence in relation to outcomes for children protected under one or more equality grounds and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged and in respect of the structural and policy factors which underlie disparities in outcomes which hinder analysis, understanding and action. The study drew together existing evidence relating to children protected under the various equality grounds recognised under Irish law as well as the – as yet unrecognised – ground of socioeconomic status in addition to evidence on children with protection needs.
A key message from the literature on the Covid-19 pandemic relates to how the impacts of the pandemic and public health measures were mediated by existing inequalities which in turn were reinforced and “amplified” by the effects of the pandemic on every aspect of life. Closures of schools and other educational settings has reportedly disproportionately impacted upon those already affected by educational inequality, including children from low-income backgrounds and those with additional learning needs. Research suggests that the impact on mental health was particularly notable for adolescent girls, for whom mental health outcomes in Ireland prior to the pandemic were strikingly lower than for their male peers. There is evidence to suggest that gender and/or sexual identity, neurodiversity, socioeconomic background and migrant background were also factors mediating mental health impacts during the pandemic. Child welfare and protection issues were an important focus of research during the pandemic and evidence internationally suggests an inverse relationship between financial stress and quality of parenting and that children in households with a prior history of violence and/or neglect and/or in households negatively impacted economically by the pandemic were at greatest risk of maltreatment during the pandemic.
The response to the social and economic fallout of the pandemic in Ireland as elsewhere is very much intertwined with the policy response to a range of related macrosocietal challenges currently faced: the climate and biodiversity crisis, the energy crisis, cost-of-living crisis, and various geopolitical crises, not least the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Children who were already dealing with adversity are the most severely affected by the health, social and economic effects of these interlinked crises and by deficits and delays in relation to public services: their needs and interests should be to the fore in policy responses.
Outputs to date
Smith, K. (2021) Children’s Needs Now and in the Future. Unpublished report for Barnardos Ireland. For overview see: (opens in a new window)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot-e5jd0MsQ
For further information please contact Dr Karen Smith. Email: (opens in a new window)Karen.Smith@ucd.ie