Visit to Barnardo's Family Services Dundee

The Lord Provost, Barnardo's Staff and myself

I was pleased to join the Lord Provost, and other council colleagues, visiting Barnardo's Family Service Dundee today.  This service is based in Fleuchar Street in the West End.

Barnardo's Family Services Dundee provides support to children, young people and families at risk and affected by the impact of:

• Abuse and trauma
• Domestic Abuse
• Problematic or harmful sexual behaviour
• Child sexual exploitation

It is dreadful that these services are required but it is an unfortunate fact of life that these services are required.  It was good to get the opportunity to listen to the workers and some service users speak about their work. 

I am very clear that as a local councillor I have a role to play in supporting families, children and young people.  Many of the issues which Barnardo's are working with can have a long-lasting impact on the life chances of young people.  It is important that every young person in Dundee has the best possible start in life.  If children and young people do experience problems then collectively we should work to try and solve or at least alleviate these problems.

I was very impressed by the work of Barnardo's and it was good to get the chance to hear more about it.  It highlighted for me the need to get it right for every child in Dundee.