Launch of the Childcare Research Forum at Queens University

President and Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson, colleagues I am very grateful for the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of the Children and Young Peoples Unit at the launch of the Childcare Research Forum and the new Children's Research database.

But before commenting on both of these excellent initiatives, I want to outline a bit of context from OFMDFM's perspective on children's matters in Northern Ireland and the role of research.

We are at a challenging, but I feel exciting time, in terms of children in Northern Ireland . The appointment of the first Children's Commissioner Nigel Williams, independent of government, and the first Children's Minister Jeff Rooker, as part of government, are highly important developments.

Both rightly give children and children's matters the profile and focus they deserve, placing children at the centre of policy making as well as providing a voice of challenge and independent scrutiny.

Children comprise a third of the population in Northern Ireland , one of the youngest populations in Europe . And the spectrum of issues relevant to their lives encompass all aspects of life. Most children lead fulfilled and happy lives being brought up by their families.

Some, however, do not and there is a continuum of special needs and children with multiple problems. There are huge social welfare issues to face such as poverty, social inclusion as well as the major challenges presented by the reform of public administration, equity of access to service provision and funding.

It is not an exaggeration to say there are a lot of challenges ahead, and I think it is fair to say, that there is much work still to do.

Key to meeting this challenge will be the publication next year of the new 10 year Strategy for Children and Young People by the Children and Young Person's Unit based in my own division within OFMDFM.

This strategy will set the future direction of high-level government policy and the development of services to children in Northern Ireland . We hope it will ensure better linkages and coherence with other policy initiatives such as that of the Children's Framework that is being developed by DHSSPS and the work of children's services planners.

It is important to get our high level strategy right. Underpinning its development and ongoing implementation will be quality and accessible research and outcome measurement.

So it is in that context that I am delighted to see the formation of the Childcare Research Forum and the work that has enthusiastically gone into its development. Work from many people which has been supported by colleagues in the R&D Office.

It is an excellent example of multi professional co-operation. This is an important initiative, bringing together further researchers, policy makers, Children's NGOs and academics.

I am sure Kathy will want to say more about the cooperative and collaborative approaches.

The Forum will act as a vehicle to help co-ordinate and promote ideas on children's research needs which in turn can be used to inform and prompt policy development, promote changes and improvement in practice and ultimately bring about better outcomes for children in Northern Ireland .

Let us not lose sight of our ultimate goal. It is not simply about policy development or research or data gathering – it is about bringing about improvements in the lives of all children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable or marginalised and in most need of help from us all.

I know that the agencies and professionals involved in the Forum have worked hard to establish the Children's Database which you will see shortly.

I am pleased that OFMDFM has been involved with this project from the start and I pay tribute to work of Pauline Donnan from my Department, the staff from ARK and the members of the Steering Group for their professional advice.

The Children's Database should provide an invaluable one-stop for researchers looking for Northern Ireland research and make it easier to locate research on a range of children's issues. I am certain that the database will play a role in the continued development and promotion of evidence-based practice and evidence-based policy development.

In conclusion, on behalf of OFMDFM, I wish the Forum every success in the future. I am sure that you will continue to make progress and play an influential role in development of research and in providing supporting evidence that proves that we have reached the common goal of improved outcomes for all children and young people in Northern Ireland .

Can I just end by thanking the Vice Chancellor and Queen's for both hosting the forum and facilitating its launch in such impressive surroundings. Thank you.