Adventure centres face closure in major review

Adventure centres face closure in major review

2 November 2016

FOUR local residential and outdoor education centres, used by thousands of children in the district, are under threat in new rationalisation plans, it has emerged.

The Education Authority wants to reduce its number of large catered centres — and with the majority of these in the Newry Mourne and Down area there are fears of local job cuts.

Delamont in Killyleagh, Ardnabannon in Castlewellan, Shannaghmore in Newcastle and Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centre are among those potentially affected. 

Those affected outside the area are in Rostrevor, Bushmills, Gortatole and Woodhall Residential Centre.

The centre in Delamont is separate to Delamont Country Park, run by Newry, Mourne and Down Council, which is unaffected by the review.

A plan for five large centres instead of the current eight is among the Education Authority proposals, which were handed to centre staff this week.

Residential centres closing at weekends and a broadening of their use to host conferences, for example, are also among the suggestions.

There are 18 centres in total across in Northern Ireland and those with self-catering facilities, as well as those run by the voluntary sector, appear to have a more secure future.

The review into statutory and voluntary run education centres funded or part-funded by the Department of Education got underway in November 2014. Now complete, it is currently being discussed with trade unions.

The review notes that the centres have made a “significant and valued contribution to the development of young people and society” since the 1970s. However, in establishing a new model for outdoor education the Education Authority is recommending “a rationalisation of existing statutory provision based on economic viability and proximity to other centres”.

“In the current economic climate, it is essential that key resources such as outdoor education centres are targeted towards meeting identified needs,” the review reads. “In effect they must deliver a core service and demonstrate value for money.”

The aim is to “minimise duplication of provision” with any efficiency savings to be redeployed into front line youth services.

The review said it also wanted to “ensure protection arrangements are put in place immediately to address concerns of staff by rationalisation of statutory centres”. 

“These may include options such as voluntary severance, redeployment, transferred redundancies and reduction in working hours, in line with EA [Education Authority] procedures,” it stated.

Staff members at Delamont, who asked not to be named, said they remained very concerned.

“We have busy premises,” said one. “We are full to next year for activities and we are the cheapest centre to run. It is in a good location.

“The way the job situation is it would be really hard to find somewhere else.”

Another member of staff said: “It came as a shock, everybody is scared now. It also would be hard on the kids who use Delamont. We have children from mixed communities in Belfast using our centre.”

Killyleagh councillor Billy Walker, who met with some of the concerned staff, said: “Myself and Terry Andrews will be seeking a meeting with the Education Minister. There are 11 jobs, at risk here at Delamont. It may not seem much but these are pay packets into the Killyleagh economy.

“The centre brings children together from all over Northern Ireland. Is Newry Mourne and Down easy pickings? There are two job centres under threat in Newcastle and Ballynahinch. Now we have five possible education centres closing.”

Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews said: “Delamont is the jewel in our crown with excellent facilities. We are trying to take our district forward and the job the staff do here is second to none. This is penny wise and pound foolish.”

In response to the review, Sean McElhinney, from the NASUWT teaching union, argued “very little thought” had been put into the process.

“We will be meeting with our members and other unions to discuss a proportionate response,” he said.

An Education Authority spokesman said: “The Education Authority (EA) has undertaken a review of residential and outdoor education. 

“The purpose of this review was to ensure the effective use of Outdoor Education Centres and Youth Service Resources.

“It also aimed to identify areas of good practice as well as areas for improvement and make recommendations for future delivery of the service linked to the Youth Service’s Priorities for Youth Policy.

“As part of the review, a number of strategic and operational recommendations have been made. These will be subject to a 12 week consultation commencing on November 14, 2016. 

“It would be inappropriate to comment on the recommendations made in advance of the publication of the review.”