Ms Nuala Ward:

I echo the comments of Dr. Muldoon in respect of the recommendations. What we did raise is that it is really important for local authorities to engage with the children so that they feel valued and heard. We thought it was really important to empower these children and assure them that what they told us mattered, that they matter and that they can effect change as individuals. That is a crucial lesson to give these children.

As the members can see, one of our recommendations is that we asked the local authority to reach out to local youth services and the local child and youth committee to bring that wrap-around community response to these children to improve their lives. It is not just down to the local authority, it is for everyone within that community to try to improve the lives of these children.