“It is with real sadness that I note the closure of Parenting Focus NI after 46 years of service to families in Northern Ireland. For almost half a century, Parenting Focus has been a vital voice and source of support for parents and children, delivering programmes that build resilience, strengthening relationships, and giving countless families the tools they needed to thrive.
The legacy of their work is profound. Generations of children and young people have benefitted directly and indirectly from the dedication of their amazing staff, volunteers, and supporters. Importantly, Parenting Focus has not only provided frontline support but also played a key role in shaping policy – including their input into the review of children’s social care – and working alongside partners across the voluntary and community sector to ensure services for families could continue.
NICCY has been privileged to work closely with Parenting Focus over many years, through partnerships and direct engagement with their service users. They have played a very important and extremely valued role in our Advisory Forum. Their insight, expertise, and commitment to children’s rights and wellbeing have enriched the sector and strengthened our collective efforts. The gap they leave behind will be deeply felt by families, practitioners, and partners alike.
This closure also raises a broader and deeply troubling concern. The voluntary and community sector, which has been the backbone of early intervention and family support in NI, is on its knees. We have seen the closure of several brilliant organisations over the years – and the removal of and reduction in funding that enables the delivery of essential services to vulnerable children and families is deeply concerning.
This must act as a wake-up call for government. Evidence has told us time and time again that early intervention and family support is crucial – they prevent crises, strengthen communities, and represent good value for public money. While the services provided by Parenting Focus and other voluntary sector services are evaluated and demonstrate positive outcomes for children and their families, there is less evidence of the impact of a wide range of statutory services, although resources continue to be allocated to them.
A renewed relationship is needed between government and the voluntary and community sector, grounded in trust and understanding of the vital services that organisations like Parenting Focus deliver. This must be supported by enhanced and sustainable funding. Families in NI cannot afford to keep losing the organisations that understand and serve them best. Parenting Focus’s closure must be seen as more than an end – it must be a warning, and a catalyst for government to act differently.
Today, I want to pay tribute to Parenting Focus NI, to the generations of staff, volunteers, and families who shaped its legacy, and to the thousands of children whose lives were brighter because of its work. Their absence will be deeply felt, but their legacy endures – and it is now up to all of us to ensure that legacy is not lost.”
