Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Service and Chair of Children, Young People and Families Partnership Board which presented the updated Early Help Strategy 2024-2026 for endorsement (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

In the absence of the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People’s Services, Councillor Alan Shield, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Equality and Inclusion moved and welcomed the new strategy which set out a vision to support all families and children in County Durham to achieve their life goals in a safe, happy and healthy environment. It was recognised that all families required support from time to time to help their children thrive. The ambition was for every family to receive the right support, in the right place at the right time. The Early Help Strategy would provide for positive and trusting relationships with families and set out how the Council would work in partnership to achieve this.

In seconding the recommendations, Councillor Chris Hood, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services commented that the refreshed strategy highlighted how local services could best work together with children and their families. The strategy demonstrated collaboration across services and importantly the coproduction of children, young people, parents and carers to ensure that the support required was accessible.

Resolved:

That the recommendation in the report be approved.