Barnardos Knowledge Bank
Barnardos Knowledge Bank is an online service hosting full content materials produced by Barnardos Ireland. It contains the full text of booklets, journals, reports, research papers and more. Barnardos Knowledge Bank is an open access platform, with the aim of making Barnardos output as widely accessible as possible. Use the browse functions above for an overview of relevant materials. Barnardos is Ireland's leading children's charity and is also a National Voluntary Childcare Organisation whose work is part funded by Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
Recent Submissions
Item 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report(Barnardos, No date)This 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report from Barnardos demonstrates the organisation’s ongoing commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusion. With a workforce that is 91% female and strong female representation at all levels—including 80% of the Senior Management Team—Barnardos continues to maintain pay equity. The overall gender pay gap remains close to zero, with a mean gap of 2.7% in favour of men and a median gap of -2.7% in favour of women, reflecting equitable access to roles and progression opportunities. The report highlights that women are well represented across all pay quartiles, and pay differences in full-time and part-time roles align with typical working patterns rather than systemic disparity. Barnardos has implemented a range of diversity and inclusion initiatives, including updated recruitment policies, flexible working arrangements, and ongoing training. These efforts underscore Barnardos’ dedication to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.Item Change the Story for Vulnerable Children with Barnardos(Barnardos, No date)Barnardos is Ireland’s leading children’s charity, dedicated to giving vulnerable children a better chance because childhood lasts a lifetime. With over 60 years of experience, Barnardos supports more than 35,000 children and families annually through 56 services nationwide. The need for their support has grown by 37% in just one year. By partnering with Barnardos, your company can make a real difference—improving lives, strengthening communities, and enhancing your brand’s social impact. Join Barnardos to help children like Callum and his family thrive, and show your commitment to a brighter future for Ireland’s most vulnerable.Item Parental Mental Health & the Impact on Children(Barnardos, 2026)This report by Barnardos explores the widespread issue of poor parental mental health in Ireland and its impact on children. Drawing on a national survey of parents, interviews with families, and staff insights, the report reveals that many parents experience mental health challenges, ranging from diagnosed conditions to persistent anxiety and burnout. Lone-parent households and mothers are particularly affected, often facing higher levels of stress and emotional difficulties. The findings show that parental mental health difficulties can have a significant negative effect on children’s wellbeing, emotional development, and future opportunities. Children in these households are at greater risk of developing their own mental health problems, struggling in school, and having difficulties with relationships. Parents report that their mental health issues can lead to increased anxiety, reduced confidence, and emotional withdrawal in their children. The impact is even greater when combined with other adversities such as substance misuse or family separation. Barnardos supports thousands of families each year, with parental mental health identified as a key challenge in many cases. The report emphasizes the need for early intervention, accessible family support services, and better integration between adult mental health and parenting supports. Recommendations include raising public awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring that adult mental health services identify parents and refer them to appropriate supports. The report calls for a coordinated national response to break the cycle of disadvantage and promote positive outcomes for children, highlighting that supporting parents is essential to safeguarding children’s wellbeing and future prospects.Item Acrimonious Separation: The Impact on Children(Barnardos, 2026)Acrimonious parental separation and inter-parental conflict are increasingly recognized as significant challenges affecting children’s wellbeing and development. Drawing on a nationally representative survey of 654 parents, in-depth interviews, and staff perspectives, this report highlights the widespread nature of these issues in Ireland. Nearly half of children supported by Barnardos’ targeted services have experienced parental separation, and a quarter have been exposed to inter-parental conflict. Survey results reveal that 51% of separated parents reported severe communication difficulties at the time of separation, with 80% acknowledging negative effects on their children. The impacts on children are multifaceted, including reduced parental attention, increased anxiety, insecurity, withdrawal, and risk-taking behaviors. The distinction between destructive and constructive conflict is emphasized, with unresolved, hostile conflict—rather than separation itself—identified as the primary driver of negative outcomes. Financial stress and poverty often exacerbate these effects, particularly when families cannot establish separate households. Evidence-based interventions, such as structured parenting support and education, have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing harm, improving parent-child relationships, and decreasing conflict. The report calls for greater awareness, expanded universal and targeted support services, and policy enhancements to prioritize children’s needs and reduce the incidence and impact of acrimonious separation. Coordinated action is urgently needed to protect children from the lasting trauma associated with parental conflict and separation, ensuring their right to a safe and nurturing environment.Item Barnardos Waterford Wellbeing Project(Barnardos, 2025)This report presents findings from a small-scale evaluation of the Barnardos West Waterford Wellbeing Project, outlining the study background, programme overview, and research aims. The study examined wellbeing outcomes for participating children, young people, and parents, and assessed the impact of core programme components. Children demonstrated high wellbeing at baseline, which was maintained following participation, with improvements noted in social engagement, school relationships, attention, and energy levels. In contrast, parents and adults initially showed lower wellbeing, with many in the low to average range and none reporting high wellbeing at baseline. Post-intervention results indicated improvements, including increased numbers reporting average and high wellbeing, reflecting enhanced psychological functioning. These changes were statistically significant. Although limited by small sample size, findings align with national evaluations. In the context of rising mental health challenges, particularly post-COVID-19, the results highlight the potential value of brief, community-based wellbeing interventions.
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