Stated Aims

BARNARDO'S RUNS A WIDE VARIETY OF PROJECTS INCLUDING: DISABILITY SERVICES; FAMILY CENTRES; EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING; FOSTERING AND ADOPTION; YOUTH JUSTICE; HOMELESSNESS; SAFEGUARDING AND PROTECTION AND RESIDENTIAL AND LEAVING CARE SERVICES. WE ALSO CAMPAIGN, BRINGING VITAL ISSUES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT. WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN CHILDREN.

Context

In 2000, Barnado's produced a TV advert showing a baby injecting heroin.

They produced the most complained about TV advert of 2003, showing a cockroach crawling out of a baby's mouth.

They produced the most complained about TV advert of 2008, showing repeated scenes of violence.

They then produced a bizarre and hysterical TV advertisement showing adults hunting children with shotguns to illustrate the 'demonisation' of children. The British Association of Shooting and Conservation lodged a complaint about the ad which, being broadcast on Barnado's website, was outside the Advertising Standard Agency's jurisdiction.

They want the government to spend an extra £3 billion to end 'child poverty'.

Supports the government's plan to raise the school leaving age to 18.

Openly campaigns on a number of issues and "develops evidence-based policy to influence Parliament and Government." (see its webpage 'Campaigning and lobbying').

We also respond to Government consultations, brief and meet with Parliamentarians, organise lobbying activities and work closely with civil servants through all stages of the policy making process.

Summary

It makes no bones about the vast sums of money it receives from the government to provide children's services (£119 million) and addresses the question on its website:

Why does Barnardo’s receive money from the government?

We receive funding from central and local government in return for the provision of vital services to vulnerable children and their families.

It also addresses the question of its neutrality:

How can your charity maintain independence when you get your money from the government?

Our receipt of government funding may give rise to a concern that Barnardo’s will find it harder to be independent. However, this is not the case. Our first commitment is to the children with whom we work and to all vulnerable children in the UK, and this will continue to be the case.

 In other words, state funding doesn't affect their independence because they say so.

Details

Since we do include money spent by the state contracting services, we are not concerned by the £119 million Barnado's receives from the UK government for 'the provision of vital services'. We are more interested in the £10.5 million it receives from the state as 'Gifts and Grants' (pp. 27-30). 

Its 2007/08 accounts show a total income of £175,190,000, of which:

• England - various local governments: £3,262,564
• Scottish - national & local government: £864,664
• Northern Ireland: £4,985,817
• Welsh government: £995,187
• DfES: £107,642
• Electoral Commission: £97,000
• DoH: £194,500
• ---
• Total £10,507,364 (6% of all income)