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A new initiative has been set up in the West to improve services for children, young people and families. Action Plans will be drawn up by multi-agency groups and parents and children are being asked to get involved too.
Redesigning Family Support
How easy is it to get help if you are a parent under stress, if you have a child with behavioural difficulties or if you are a young person who is feeling depressed? Are there accessible services and facilities in your neighbourhood?
If you live in an area with good services then you are one of the lucky ones. Many families do not have easy access to services that would help them to provide the best opportunities for their children.
In response to the concerns of families and practitioners about gaps in services and facilities for children, young people and families, a new initiative is being set up in each locality in the Western Board area to draw up plans for the development and co-ordination of support services. Two co-ordinators – one in the Foyle area and one in the Sperrin Lakeland area - have been appointed to facilitate the locality groups and to help them to develop their Action Plans.
This initiative has arisen out of the Early Intervention Family Support Strategy Group set up by WHSSB Children Services Planning and chaired by Carina Boyle, Assistant Director of NCH the children’s charity. Ms. Boyle commented ‘This initiative will bring together a wide range of voluntary, community and statutory agencies and will also enable the participation of children, young people and parents in the planning of a more inclusive co-ordinated approach to family support that ultimately aims to ensure better outcomes for children.’
Maria Herron, who will be facilitating groups in the Foyle area stated ‘It is generally agreed that many people including children and young people, find it difficult to get support or help unless they are already in a crisis. We would like to ensure that better services and facilities are available to all families in order to help prevent crisis situations.’
For further information about this initiative please contact
Maria Herron,
Family Support Co-ordinator,
NCH North West,
Clooney Terrace,
Waterside,
02871 342286 
maria.herron@nch.org.uk
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