Ms Suzanne Connolly:

For Barnardos, it is really important that in our work, we recognise that every child is an individual. Children will express their feelings through their behaviour because they are not necessarily that articulate. It is our role as adults to think about what the child needs and what will support him or her. Earlier, Ms Keane talked about an assessment of need. That is really important. You need to think about the best way you can help that child and that family. We are aware that some of the children will have externalising behaviours.

You know they are unhappy because they let you know. Whether they are shouting, kicking or being very disruptive, you will know they are unhappy. Other children will go back into themselves. They will be quiet and may not come out of their rooms. They may eat less. To meet their needs, it is important that the adults around them notice that and do something about it. Within Barnardos, we have a range of services. Ms Keane is representing one service but we have 45 centres throughout the country and we provide a range of things. Across those services, we really try to think about what a particular child needs and to address those needs. We have early years services and, as we know, children at this age make their distress very clear through their behaviour. Older children may show it differently. If a child is not settling back into school and connecting with their friends and if they are no longer doing the things they did before, you will know that child is unhappy. It is our job to see what we can do to help such children get back on track.

Recently, Barnardos arranged another service. At an event last Friday, a parent and a young woman of 17 or 18 spoke about their experiences of the service over several years. They talked about how the service enabled them to get help when they needed it. There was a time when the young person did not want to talk to her mum and dad. Even though they wanted to be there for her, she did not want to talk to them. She wanted to talk to somebody else outside the family. The parents said they wanted a professional to help her. They were at the end of their tether. They were able to say that the service they had got from Barnardos, which provided a project worker, had made a real difference to their lives and to the life of their child in particular because she was struggling with her mental health. I hope that is helpful. I do not know whether Ms Keane wants to add anything.