Pressure on services forces Barnardos to close referrals list

BARNARDOS, the children’s charity, has had to close some of its waiting lists to new referrals until after Christmas because of pressure on services.

The charity warned that because of stressed public services more children and families are being referred to Barnardos.

This in turn is creating increased waiting lists, particularly for families who have not been referred by social services. In some areas waiting lists are stretching to eight months due to limited resources, the charity said.