Friday, 3 March 2006

Barnardos in unique position to help children thrive

“Barnardos is in a unique position to help children thrive,” says Sally Babington, the organisation’s new Regional Manager for the lower half of the North Island.

“As the country’s largest child-focused not-for-profit/charitable organisation, we cover the spectrum, from early childhood education and care to a variety of child and family services.”

“This means that as well as helping children benefit from access to quality early childhood education and care, we can also encourage and support their parents so they have positive and healthy relationships with their children, through our parent education programmes, and other customised child and family services.”

This integrated approach to improving the outcomes for children, was a major drawcard for Sally, who has substantial qualifications and extensive experience in both the education and social service sectors.

“The opportunity to pull together my experience across both sectors for the benefit of children is really exciting,” says Sally.

“Research shows that the early years of a child are critical for future development. We also know that parenting is as challenging as it can be rewarding. Many parents are on a steep learning curve, often without good role models or support. And this cuts across all sectors of society.”

“Barnardos isn’t interested in being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” says Sally. “We want to work with children and their families as early as possible, so that potential or existing problems can be nipped in the bud, and children can be nurtured, treasured and able to fulfil their potential.”

As Regional Manager, Central, Sally has overall responsibility for Barnardos early childhood services (KidStart home-based care and learning and in Wellington, Number One Nannies) and child and family services, in Wellington and the Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Wanganui, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.

She has held management positions in the Ministry of Education and the Department of Child, Youth and Family, was a reintegration coordinator for sex offenders at Rolleston Prison, a hands-on social worker, and a counsellor for

Barnardos in Kaiapoi (in 1995). Sally was most recently Director of Special Needs at The Correspondence School in Wellington.

Her qualifications include a Masters of Arts (applied) in Social Work, a Child Protection Certificate and a Master of Education. She is currently completing a Master of Business Administration through Victoria University.

Sally is based at Barnardos House in Wellington and available for media interviews.

ENDS

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