Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 is Ireland’s cross-government framework for policy on children and young people. The Policy Framework was launched in November 2023, and is Ireland’s third National Strategy. This Framework sets out current issues impacting children and young people; a programme of work to create an enabling environment to ensure that children and young people are a central part of everyone’s agenda; announces spotlights to focus on the most significant challenges for children and young people; and identifies the priority areas requiring coordinated action across Government. Young Ireland is available to view here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/young-ireland/

Young Ireland identifies five National Outcomes which, if achieved, give a good indication that children and young people are doing well in Ireland. These outcomes are as follows:

The Framework also sets out actions to ensure that children and young people are a central part of everyone’s agenda. This requires a number of changes at a systemic level to place their rights and well-being as a core part of policy and decision-making. Importantly, Young Ireland recognises that there are key areas where focused cross government attention is required. These areas have been highlighted by children and young people, as well as by data and research.

Prevention and Early Intervention in Young Ireland

The importance of prevention and early intervention is featured throughout Young Ireland. The Framework includes several actions aimed at improving outcomes by anticipating potential problems, minimizing risks as they arise, and targeting resources at children and young people who are either at high risk or showing early signs of a problem.

Early intervention is critical to delivering good outcomes for children and young people, and in general the faster a response is delivered, the greater its impact. Focusing on the prevention of problems from arising, and intervening early when they arise, is typically the most effective use of resources. This principle can be applied to many services. For example, health services undertake a significant amount of preventative work which aims to mitigate later, more severe health problems.

Harnessing the significant learning in this area and adopting a more preventative approach has the greatest potential for improving outcomes for children and young people, and there are promising developments. The What Works initiative builds on the development of implementation structures and learning harnessed from over a decade of investment in prevention and early intervention to improve outcomes for children, young people, and their families.