Having a say on future services for children

Paul Morgan, Chair of Southern Outcomes Group; Anne Hardy, Childrens Services Planning Officer, Children and Young Peoples Strategic Partnership; Catriona Regan, Former Chair of Banbridge CYPSP Locality Planning Group and Banbridge Council; Colm McCafferty, Head of Family Support and Safeguarding, Southern Trust; (front row) Julie Bolton, Locality Development Officer in Southern Area; Rachel Long, Family Support Hub host/Child and Parent Support, Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders; and from REACT Leonna Donnan and Ryan Donaghey, Co-Chairs of Banbridge CYPSP Locality Planning Group

The event was organised by the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership CYPSP and brought local parents together with MLAs, Councils and representatives from statutory, voluntary and community organisations to discuss the services currently available to support children and young people and how these can be improved in future.

Ryan Donaghey, from REACT and co-chair of Banbridge CYPSP Locality Planning Group, welcomed everyone and said: “We were really pleased to see so many people sharing their views at the workshop. Their input will help CYPSP to plan the support that families need.

“It is only by working together that we will make a difference in the lives of our children and young people. I would also encourage anyone who could not attend the event to get involved and contact the Locality Planning Group directly to share their views.”

Attendees also heard about the work of the Locality Planning Group and how the Family Support Hub has been co-ordinating support for local families. They also had the opportunity to visit information stands providing family support services available in the area.

Paul Morgan, Director of Children and Young People’s Services at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Chair of the Southern Outcomes Group, said: “Everyone at the event was committed to promoting the wellbeing of children and young people in the Southern area and involving them in decisions that affect their lives. By giving careful consideration to their views, we have gained important information that will make our work and services more relevant to children and young people.”

The event was also attended by members of the CYPSP Southern Area Parent Reference Group set up to ensure the involvement of parents in the planning process.

The Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership is a multi-agency partnership, led by the Health and Social Care Board. It includes community and voluntary organisations and the key statutory agencies that have a responsibility for improving the lives of children and young people in Northern Ireland. Future workshops are planned on May 20 in South Armagh, May 27 in Armagh, June 2 in Dungannon, June 9 in Newry and June 10 in Craigavon. For more information about the CYPSP, contact Anne Hardy on 028 2531 1208 or Julie Bolton on 07725 232 566 or visit www.cypsp.org. If you are interested in joining Banbridge CYPSP Parent Reference Group, contact Clare Anne Magee on 028 9031 0891.