Health and Social Care
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A 'break from parenting' might avert a family crisis according to research carried
out by Gingerbread in Northern Ireland. (Supporting Families “A Response from
Gingerbread”)
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In research carried out with lone parents in the Upper Shankill in the early
1990's, it was found that lone parents felt ignorant about issues affecting their
health and that information was frequently passed by word of mouth (Spence, 1995)
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Lone parents in Upper Shankill asked for more information about contraception
and abortion (Spence, 1995)
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Lone parents in Upper Shankill indicated their need for more health outreach
work, as people needed to know about local health care resources (Spence, 1995)
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Lone parents in Ardoyne and in Glencairn expressed similar concerns to those
expressed by lone parents in Upper Shankill. They also expressed difficulties
in accessing health services due to lack of transport (Spence, 1995)
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Children of divorced couples are not seen as a vulnerable group. The services
to those children are limited, fragmented and may vary from area to area (Spence,
1995)
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The relationship between the social worker and the client is a key element in
determining the level of support required and help gained. Research highlights
the need for social workers not to be judgmental about this form of parenting
(Spence, 1995)
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Research commissioned by the Western HSS Board in 1992, focusing upon pregnant
teenagers, found that one in three were unaware of the existence of Family Planning
Clinics (Spence, 1995)
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Feelings engendered by stigma can have an adverse effect on help seeking behaviour
and in relation to service providers (Spence, 1995)
Gingerbread expressed concern that young lone mothers might be stigmatised if
they are targeted in relation to having their child adopted (“Lone parent families:
Routes to Social Inclusion” Gingerbread)
Lone Fathers
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Research indicated that lone fathers may not know how to contact social services
(Spence, 1995)
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Lone fathers were found to have little contact with one-parent family organisations
(Spence, 1995)
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There was a reported lack of involvement between lone fathers and health visitors
(Spence, 1995)
- Young single fathers felt that they were made to feel unimportant both during
the pregnancy and after the birth (JRF Findings: Social Policy Research, 137,
Dec. 1997)
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Due to the way in which birth data are collected, young single fathers are an
invisible group (JRF Findings: Social Policy Research, 137, Dec.1997)
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Many young single fathers felt unable to access support from the few father groups
which existed. They reported feeling unwelcome at general family support groups
and at groups established for young mothers (JRF Findings: Social Policy Research,
137, Dec 1997)
Teenage Pregnancy
The teenage pregnancy rate here is one of the highest in Europe. Each year about
1,700 babies are born here to women under age twenty.
There is clear evidence of variation in the local rates of local teenage pregnancy.
Those areas experiencing higher rates of teenage pregnancy are also those recognised
as areas experiencing higher levels of deprivation. Unplanned teenage pregnancy
and early parenthood is associated with socio-economic disadvantage. Disadvantaged
young people are those most likely to become teenage parents. They then face limited
prospects in areas of education, training and employment, which in turn impacts
on their children.
A recent study found that 1,700 households in Belfast are headed by a young lone
parent. 9 out of 10 young lone mothers were living on less than £100 per week,
the majority of their income coming from benefits such as income support. Most
of these young lone mothers not in paid employment were looking after their children
full time. One in four of the young lone mothers had become pregnant while at
school. Over half reported that their school had given them no support. Parents
and health visitors were the most frequent source of advice and support. Financial
concern created the greatest stress.
(Source: Investing for Health produced by Department of Health, Social Services
and Public Safety)
Support Networks
Organisations like “Gingerbread” provide help and support for one parent families
Amongst the services they provide are:
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Advice and information which is free and confidential on benefits, child Support,
housing debt and legal issues
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Respite childcare provision on a sessional basis through its crèche facilities
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A number of Training options – from short taster courses to third level training
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A network of locally based self-help groups where lone parents help each other
by providing practical and emotional support
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