Policy & Research
Advocacy is an important part of work for Parenting Focus. We know that no two families are the same, they face different challenges and have differing opinions. However, many of the biggest issues affect the majority of parents. Things like the influence of technology, mental health and the changing world have relevance for most parents.
It is important for Parenting Focus, as Northern Ireland's leading parenting charity, to make sure that the voices of parents are heard at all levels of government. Whether it is calling on departments and ministers to value the work of parents, or getting councils to do more to support them, Parenting Focus is tireless in our efforts to protect and empower parents. We also provide advice, guides and tips for parents on a range of complex or worrying issues.
Parenting Focus Research
The Big Parenting Survey
In 2024 we conducted our fourth “Big Parenting Survey”. As with previous years, Parenting Focus sought out the experiences and thoughts of parents from across Northern Ireland. We were delighted that we received responses from a diverse cross section of society.
This year, we received 1,100 responses from parents across Northern Ireland. This is a significant response rate. This significant level of engagement allows us to collate and share a robust picture of the experiences, concerns and hopes of parents in Northern Ireland in 2024.
Some of the key findings are:
- 86% of parents feel they do not get enough support
- Only 33% of parents agree their hopes for their children are achievable in Northern Ireland, down from 46% in 2021
- 68% of parents are more worried than hopeful about the future
- 83% reported that financial worries have negatively impacted their mental health
The survey identified major parental concerns including children's behaviour, technology, vaping, peer pressure, mental health, bullying, and lack of affordable/flexible childcare. Although the majority of parents are worried about money and this is having an impact on their mental health there was a positive note with a small decline in the percentage of parents self-reporting "very low" emotional health from 19% in 2021 to 14% in 2023/24.
Download the 2023/24 Big Parenting Survey report here.
SOLUS: The Impact of financial hardship on single and separated parents launch
In October 2023, Parenting Focus launched its research, SOLUS: The Impact of financial hardship on single and separated parents, A partnership project between Parenting Focus (previously Parenting NI) and Centre for Effective Services kindly funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust. Through our SOLUS project, we wanted to understand how the financial impacts experienced by separated and single parents can impact their mental and physical health to better understand how we can provide specific and targeted support to ensure the best outcomes for these families.
Summary: SOLUS Research Summary
Please see link to read the full report and recommendations: SOLUS full report
A manifesto for change 2022-2025
Parenting Focus has a vision of a society a society where parenting is valued, parents’ voices are heard and where every family is given the support they need.
The Executive and Northern Ireland Assembly need to show that they support parents and the value they bring to society. It is imperative that regional support services are adequately funded to support parents, and those in a parenting role, with children from infants to teenage years. This will ensure that outcomes for families in Northern Ireland will improve and contribute to a fair and compassionate society.
Parent Mental Health, Wellbeing and Cost of Living survey report
In 2022 Parenting Focus conducted its first “Parent Mental Health, Wellbeing and Cost of Living” survey. Due to the dramatic increase in the cost of living, we felt compelled to ensure that the voice of parents was considered. The survey gave parents from every part of society an opportunity to tell us about their experiences of parenting in Northern Ireland, what levels of support they had and what gaps there were and what they needed to support them on their parenting journey.
