Consultations – Have your voice heard!

A number of consultations relevant to early education and childcare have been open recently which provide an opportunity for parents and carers to learn more about issues which affect them and to express their opinions.

Consultation on NI Executive Anti-Poverty Strategy

The consultation foreword states “there are few issues we face as important as addressing poverty. Poverty impacts every aspect of our society and effectively tackling this issue will lead to benefits not only for individuals and families but will help strengthen our communities and boost our economy.  Poverty has a negative impact on physical and mental wellbeing, limiting the ability of people fulfil their potential and achieve their goals and aspirations”.

The 10 year anti-poverty strategy sets out the Executive’s commitment to a joined up, long term approach to addressing poverty. It seeks to remove barriers and support equality of opportunity for those experiencing or at risk of poverty. It sets a clear framework within which anti-poverty work will be taken forward in a practical and sustainable manner.

The development of the strategy is described as core values of collaboration and partnership-working being embedded at the heart of the process enabling an informed and joined up approach. The consultation refers to the Department for Communities engaging with a range of stakeholders and a report from an independent Expert Advisory Panel, an Anti-Poverty Strategy Co-Design Group made up of community and voluntary organisations and a Cross Departmental Working Group made up of senior officials from across all Departments.

Relevant Documents

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-ni-executive-anti-poverty-strategy

Closing Date – 19 September 2025

 

Consultation on Learners Participating in Education or Training Until Age 18

Education Minister Paul Givan launched a consultation on proposals for all learners to participate in education, apprenticeship or training until age 18.  The consultation will examine what proposed changes to legislation would mean for all learners and explores how it will impact schools, Further Education colleges, employers, training providers and the voluntary and community sector.  The proposal is not about raising the compulsory age of school which remains at 16.

The Minister included in his foreword “Education is the greatest investment any society makes in its own future. Responsible citizenship, prosperity and fulfilled lives depend on it”. Most children and young people currently remain in education and training until age 18 but some young people, particularly some of our most vulnerable, do not. Regrettably, a young person’s background remains a key factor in whether they progress to post-16 education.

http://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-16-18-legislation

Closing Date – 4 July 2025

 

Consultation on Proposals to amend the Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children Under Age 12

The purpose of this consultation is to seek feedback on Departmental proposals to implement changes in two key areas of childcare regulation, which is carried out by HSC Trust Early Years Teams under the Children (NI) Order 1995. The first key area is in relation to vetting – specifically the requirement for all prospective childcare workers to provide a health assessment, countersigned by their GPs, in advance of taking up employment. The second key area concerns the adult to child ratios set out in the Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children under 12.

http://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-16-18-legislation

Closing Date – 20 June 2025.

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