Barnardos slams recent decision by the Department of Child and Youth Affairs

June Tinsley, Head of Advocacy for Barnardos, has spoken out following the government’s recent decision to delay, by one year, the introduction of a minimum qualification requirement for early years professionals.

Commenting on the government’s announcement, Ms. Tinsley explained her stance on the matter, saying: “The Department of Children and Youth Affairs’ announcement that it is delaying the introduction of a minimum qualification requirement for early years professionals for 12 months is a disappointing climb down.”

Insisting that the postponement displays a disparity between the government's words and its actions, she went on to say: ”The delay completely undermines the Government’s commitment to young children and its pledge to improve early years services in the wake of the scandals uncovered in the May 2013 Prime Time programme, A Breach of Trust.”

Highlighting the importance of a minimum qualification requirement, Ms. Tinsely called on recent research to reinforce her point, asserting: “The imposition of minimum qualification standards is certain to ensure consistency of quality service provision across the sector. Postponing this requirement by 12 months means the quality of services will continue to vary.”

Ms. Tinsley acknowledged the children who may bear the brunt of the government’s decision, revealing: ”Research has shown that young children, especially those who are disadvantaged, only benefit from early years services if they are of high quality.”

She insists that the delivery of high quality early years service is paramount, asserting “The delivery of such services must be prioritised otherwise it will be our young children who we continue to fail.”

The implementation of these minimum qualifications has now been postponed until September 2016.