Children’s Agenda

The Assessment of the Situation of Children, completed in 2014, was commissioned by the Advocacy Sub-committee of the Inter Agency Committee (IAC) for Children and Families to assess the situation of children in Bermuda with a view to using the results to craft a National Children's Agenda.  The assessment is intended to establish a comprehensive and evidential foundation for future action.

The over-arching premise of this assessment is that the absence of a comprehensive approach to the fulfillment of the rights of Bermuda’s children creates a situation where there are disconnections in the continuum of care. The result is that some children and families are not able to claim the levels of benefits and services to which they are entitled and need.  There is the recognition that all children are vulnerable; however, there are some who are more vulnerable than others and whose plights are exacerbated because of inherent and persistent historical, emotional, social and economic barriers.

A small advocacy sub-committee of the IAC, consisting of volunteers from government and non-profit sectors, worked together to drive the process forward and to ensure that the process fully respects the special circumstances of Bermuda and that a rigorous process was employed.   Data collection was done through documentary review of existing reports and books, statistical compilation of relevant existing statistical data and the conduct of interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders in the community from both public and non-profit sectors. Consultation with the community yielded a certain ‘gut instinct’ about what areas might be of key urgency.  This data was compiled in a 98-page report that can be accessed by contacting the IAC.   Based on the initial assessment provided by the report, the IAC Advocacy Subcommittee identified 8 Critical Priorities for improving the welfare of children in Bermuda, supported by the above-mentioned overarching priority.

Bermuda’s children and families live healthy lifestyles within the context of healthy social norms.

Recommendation #1:

Improve community outreach to ensure all families have an understanding of the full range of health care services available to them (including preventative and maintenance services, and treatment); and remove the stigma related to mental health, family dysfunction and substance abuse.

Recommendation #2:

Address interagency coordination, including government and nonprofit health/human services providers to ensure readily identifiable access points to Bermuda’s health system that most effectively meet the needs of clients, and to address data collection and implementation strategies.

Recommendation #3:

Address the high cost of health care to ensure all children have access to high-quality health services, with particular attention to vulnerable families.  – (Department of Health)

Bermuda’s families can afford to live independently and with dignity, supported by a sufficient social safety net, as needed.

Recommendation #1:

Establish a standard living wage which provides families with the ability to meet their basic needs (food, water, shelter, health); education and have financial independence.

Recommendation #2:

Employees should feel respected in the workplace, with access to quality employment options and a support network in case of unemployment.

Recommendation #3:

Address the structure and sustainability of Bermuda’s social safety net, with an emphasis on cross-ministerial collaboration to support economic policies and social programmes.

Bermuda’s children and families live in a nurturing and restorative culture that enables them to feel safe and secure across all spheres of life (school, home, community); and provides the opportunity, after a period of reformative separation, to re-join mainstream society.

Recommendation #1:

Conduct a detailed Study on Child Abuse, including child sexual abuse in Bermuda with the intent of creating a comprehensive Child Abuse Response Framework and developing a National Child Abuse Plan.

Recommendation #2:

Criminal Justice System:  Address institutional barriers inhibiting equality by reviewing existing family court model towards empowering children and their families.  Ensure effective programmes be made more available, such as supportive re-integration programmes, alternatives to incarceration while making rehabilitation a priority. Shift/review/augment juvenile justice system to be youth friendly and restorative.

Bermuda’s children have access to the support necessary to recover and build resiliency from trauma.

Recommendation #1:

Ensure that early detection and intervention assessments for trauma are in place for children.

Recommendation #2:

Mandate certified training for adults who work with children to ensure: 1) that they are equipped to recognize trauma, and 2) that they have the appropriate professional training when working with children who have experienced trauma.

Recommendation #3:

Create an overarching, separate, privately-lead child advocacy center (ages 0 to 21) – a hub specifically for trauma.

Recommendation #4:

Cross cutting recommendation:  Address multi-generational trauma on a macro, mezzo and individual level.

Bermuda’s children and families have the education and skills necessary to secure a job that allows them to earn a living wage.

Recommendation #1:

Implement a pro-social curriculum in our public school system, which creates an inclusive culture comprised of school, home, and community partners.

Recommendation #2:

Establish a coordinated, early years continuum system with policies and procedures.

Recommendation #3:

Monitor, evaluate and report on the status of the Blueprint for Reform in Education so as to minimize ad-hoc changes to the education system. Hold all levels of the system accountable for student outcomes and for respecting the diverse needs of all learners - adults to recognize the value of adult/child relationships and play in early childhood development.

Recommendation #4:

Ensure career pathways and/or alternative education options provide students with the content knowledge, work readiness skills, career counseling, and certification required to successfully transition to tertiary education or the world of work.

Recommendation #5:

Ensure that the school and educational system support families and students in gaining access to services that address social, economic and health needs.

Recommendation #6:

Ensure accessibility, accommodation and celebration of diverse learning, social educational and developmental needs.

Bermuda’s children fulfill their greatest potential, by pursuing their creativity and passion.

Recommendation #1:

Ensure various sectors of the community provide access for all children to the tools, opportunities, resources, networks and options that allow them to reach their potential.

Recommendation #2:

Develop a culture of entrepreneurship (including science, technology, engineering, arts, math and business management skills) for young people – respect various options for contributing to society and quest to be self-sufficient.

Bermuda’s parents have positive parenting tools and techniques that prepare and encourage children.

Recommendation #1:

Develop a National Parenting Agenda for Bermuda.

Recommendation #2:

Encourage nurturing and positive parenting and teaching - shift away from a punitive culture.

Recommendation #3:

Promote the empowerment, engagement and involvement of parents to support their children’s dreams and potential.

The Bermuda Community is empowered and participates in key decisions.

Recommendation #1:

Create effective means, mechanisms and systems for all segments of the community to give input, and then be deliberate in disseminating the information so that all persons can access the information and understand public issues.

Recommendation #2:

Encourage all segments of the community, including children, to participate in discussions. Operate inclusively and create mechanisms whereby people are not only heard but valued.

Recommendation #3:

Provide the community with the opportunity to be involved in determining final decisions and to move from discussion to action. Encourage people to take ownership of the process and to partner with others to identify priorities and bring about resolution.