Young People’s Commissioner grilled upon his visit to school
WHEN asked by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) Chris Quinn what message the student of Erne Integrated College wanted to be delivered to the politicians in Stormont, one young woman summed up the feeling of the room when she replied: “Stop forgetting about us.”
Representatives of the school council grilled Mr. Quinn on his visit to the school one Monday morning in late February.
No subject was off limits and the young people gathered hit hard, with questions on a variety of issues including rural needs, bus transport, mental health, and the need for quicker move on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) waiting list.
Mr. Quinn said: “I think it’s important that young people from rural areas have a say. Every area should have a Youth Council, and there should be members for each area on the NI Youth Assembly.”
He cited the Rural Needs Act and asked if the Act was fit for purpose, encouraging the students to send feedback.
Passionate plea
One such local student, Jack, delivered a passionate plea to Mr. Quinn on the issue of bus services in the Monea area.
Jack detailed his experience and that of his neighbours, as well as the risks of speed on the roads.
He was heartfelt as he detailed the dangers faced by students, and he and his peers recalled young lives lost on the roads of Fermanagh in recent years.
Jack then handed Mr. Quinn a hard copy of his issues, and later promised him a Powerpoint presentation on the issues in his local area for children and young people.
In response, the Commissioner told the students that he would raise the issue with Infrastructure Minister, John O’dowd.
Others told Mr. Quinn about issues with bus services in other areas, with one young woman calling for more public transport, telling him that “it’s a gamble if you’re going to be getting to school on time”.
Concerns
Students also raised other concerns regarding the price of a single ticket and a return ticket.
Other issues aired by the young people included the suspension of Emergency General Surgery at the South West Acute Hospital.
After a question about a typical day in his role, Mr. Quinn answered a question on CAHMS waiting lists and mental health in young people.
“Young people are asking me about mental health, and asking for more education, more support in schools so that when you’re growing up right from primary school, you know more about mental health, and know more about what to do when you feel under pressure and how to cope.
“My personal view is that we should be supporting children better from primary school age.
“There is no doubt we need more funding for mental health provision. We are talking to the Minister for Health on this issue, and one thing I will be asking for is more facilities in Northern Ireland.
“That’s because sometimes young people who have complex needs get put in hospitals, and in provision in England. My opinion would be that if you’re in distress, or need help, you should stay close to your family and your community.
“We need more supports in school, and we need to remove the stigma [around mental health issues] too.”
Reflecting on his visit, Mr. Quinn said: “It was brilliant to visit the school today. It’s really important for me in my role that I am accessible and visible to young people, no matter where they live and what their background is.
“It’s really clear to me that we need to do more in terms of rural issues for young people in terms of transport infrastructure.
“I heard today even about very easy fixes: road safety, timetabling of buses, and how the school day can be impacted.
“The young people were fantastic and I am really delighted that the school invited me down.
“And I hope not to be a stranger. I hope that I can come back and I can be held accountable by these young people, and that I can do my best to work for them to ensure that their rights are exercised.”
Mr. Quinn then visited Action For Children in Enniskillen and spoke to Rossorry Grove Supported Accommodation residents about the issues they are facing, as well as answering questions.
Investment
One of the issues highlighted was the need for investment in stable, sustainable services for 18- to 25-year-olds that provide housing, wellbeing support, employment and life skills.
He concluded his business with a visit to the Fermanagh Early Years Centre.
Joan Jackman, Project Manager, said the visit was an opportunity for the Children’s Commissioner to hear from children, and staff at the centre, and to see the important role played by high-quality early learning and care services in supporting families and early intervention.
Pauline Walmsley, Early Years Chief Executive Officer, said the Commissioner saw first-hand the vital role of the highly-skilled and professional Early Years workforce in providing responsive caregiving and supporting the diverse range of individual needs of children within a setting.
During the visit, Mr. Quinn directed those he met on how to contact him and his office with complaints as a way to provide information on what is happening to them via the NICCY website, at http://tinyurl.com/4u9rzvm7.