Latest news with #LynnPerry
Western Telegraph
21-05-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
‘Child sexual abuse support services face closure or cuts in funding shortfall'
The centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) said a research survey of providers had found more than three-quarters facing uncertainty about future funding and a fifth considering closure or cuts to their services. The centre warned that, despite a recommendation from the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) almost three years ago that specialist therapeutic support should be guaranteed for child victims of sexual abuse, 'thousands' have been left waiting months or years to access support. The CSA Centre said its findings were based on 124 support services in England and Wales responding to its survey. This report starkly illustrates the huge shortfall in support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, with many services reporting that they are now on the verge of breaking point Ian Dean, CSA Centre The centre said 23 support services closed in the 18 months since their last national survey in 2023, leaving 363 such services across the whole of England and Wales. The organisation estimated that this equates to each remaining service having an average of 16,500 victims and survivors to support. The survey results found more than three-quarters of respondents said they were facing uncertainty about future funding for their services, with some indicating there was less money available and others citing the short-term and insecure nature of funding. One in five respondents said they were facing full or partial closure or could have to cut support without 'sufficient' funding being confirmed within the next few months. Centre director Ian Dean said: 'This report starkly illustrates the huge shortfall in support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, with many services reporting that they are now on the verge of breaking point.' He said the current situation is that 'thousands of children and adults are still left waiting months or even years to access support, with services struggling to meet rising demand on increasingly overstretched budgets'. He described as 'essential that the Government honours its commitment to victims and survivors of abuse by ensuring the consistent, widespread funding of support services that is so desperately needed across the country'. The need for specialist services has never been greater, yet funding for these very services continues to decline Lynn Perry, Barnardo's Fay Maxted, from The Survivors Trust, said the research 'powerfully sets out the impact that the current funding crisis is having on specialist services and the challenges victims and survivors are facing in accessing the support and help they need and are entitled to'. The CSA Centre is mainly funded by the Home Office and hosted by Barnardo's. The charity's chief executive Lynn Perry said the research 'shines a light on the concerning reduction in support available for children who have been sexually abused' and said the Chancellor must make a commitment to investment in her spending review next month. Ms Perry said: 'The need for specialist services has never been greater, yet funding for these very services continues to decline. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse rightly called for a guarantee of specialist therapeutic support for child victims of sexual abuse. 'We urge the government to use the upcoming spending review to invest in these vital services and to seize this opportunity to make sure no child misses out on the support they need to work towards a positive future.'
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
New school uniform law to help millions of families - how it affects you
New legislation will see schools ordered to limit 'branded' items of clothing - a move that will save the parents of 4.2million children around £50 a year, the Government says New school uniform laws will slash costs for parents of 4.2million children, new analysis has found. Landmark legislation making its way through Parliament this week will see schools ordered to limit "branded" items of clothing - usually more expensive - to three, excluding ties. This will cut the cost of a back-to-school shop by around £50 per child, the Government says, as mums and dads will have more flexibility to shop around. Analysis released by the Department for Education found 4.2million pupils across 8,000 schools will benefit. Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: 'Looking smart at school shouldn't cost the earth, and no parent should be forced to choose between buying family essentials and a school shirt or tie. "Alongside our free breakfast clubs, these new laws will save parents hundreds of pounds a year, and make sure family finances have no bearing on children's time at school." Last week free breakfast clubs launched in 750 schools in England and Wales - with ministers pledging to make these available to all. The DfE says parents currently have to shell out £442 on average to kit a child out for secondary school, and £343 for primary school. The limit on branded items is included in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will be put to the House of Lords this week. Exoerts warn school uniforms can be a source of anxiety to pupils, and in some cases even impacts on school attendance. Lynn Perry, chief executive of charity Barnardo's, said: "It cannot be right that children are going to school wearing ill-fitted clothes or shoes due to the high cost of uniforms – but, as high prices continue to impact families, it's yet another essential item that parents are struggling to afford. 'We look forward to seeing even bolder action in the upcoming child poverty strategy to tackle the number of children growing up in poverty.'
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
£18m Barnardo's donation is largest in its history
Children's charity Barnardo's has been handed £18m in the largest single donation it has yet received. The "extraordinary" donation will be used to create 45 homes for the charity's Gap Homes programme, which supports young people leaving care by providing them with suitable accommodation. A third of the homes will be built in Lincolnshire, Birmingham and Glasgow, with locations for the other 30 still to be finalised. The donation has been made by the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust, which was set up following the death of the 1920s racing driver who helped shape the Aston Martin brand. The trust has supported the charity for more than 60 years, particularly in North East Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Barnardo's chief executive Lynn Perry said: "This extraordinary donation from the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust is monumental for Barnardo's. "We believe it's the largest single gift in the charity's history and it's hard to express just how much of an impact that will have for so many young people." John Richards, chair of trustees at the charitable trust, said: "Katherine Martin was a remarkable woman who believed in the power of philanthropy to change lives. "This significant donation is testament to her enduring legacy." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Warning cost of living fund closure 'catastrophic' Helping young people 'one mountain at a time' 'School counselling service was invaluable for us' Barnardo's
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
£18m donation to Barnardo's is the largest in its history
Children's charity Barnardo's has been handed £18m in the largest single donation it has yet "extraordinary" donation will be used to create 45 homes for the charity's Gap Homes programme, which supports young people leaving care by providing them with suitable accommodation.A third of the homes will be built in Lincolnshire, Birmingham and Glasgow, with locations for the other 30 still to be donation has been made by the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust, which was set up following the death of the 1920s racing driver who helped shape the Aston Martin brand. 'Monumental' The trust has supported the charity for more than 60 years, particularly in North East Lincolnshire and East chief executive Lynn Perry said: "This extraordinary donation from the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust is monumental for Barnardo's."We believe it's the largest single gift in the charity's history and it's hard to express just how much of an impact that will have for so many young people."John Richards, chair of trustees at the charitable trust, said: "Katherine Martin was a remarkable woman who believed in the power of philanthropy to change lives."This significant donation is testament to her enduring legacy." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
