A new service designed to provide early and targeted support for children with additional needs, and their families, will formally launch in February 2016 following a successful pilot programme.
The new service is part of the Isle of Man Government’s Strategy for Children and Young People 2015 – 2020 which was approved by Tynwald last year and supports one of Government’s three core objectives: to project the vulnerable. The strategy was developed following an inspection of the Island’s services for children and young people by Scotland’s Care Inspectorate in 2013.
A key aim of the strategy is to develop and strengthen early help and support to assist parents – with their consent – to raise their children in a way that allows them to achieve their full potential. This new service supports the delivery of that objective.
Following a competitive tender exercise, the new Family Support Service will be operated by UK charity Family Action which will register as a charity in the Isle of Man. Family Action has wide experience of delivering services to vulnerable children and families in the UK, operating more than 45 similar services for local authorities in England.
Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said:
'The launch of this new service is a very positive development and furthers Government’s agenda to protect vulnerable children. We want all of our young people to thrive and have the best opportunities in life.
'Sometimes families need help and support along the way, particularly where a child has additional needs. It is vital that this assistance is given as early as possible to prevent issues becoming more problematic, which can destabilise families and prevent children from flourishing.
'This additional help will be available through locally based coordinators who will work closely with families, schools and health services to provide children and their families with the help and joined-up support they need.'
The Island’s Supervised Contact Centre – which ensures that looked-after children are kept safe during contact with family members assessed as posing a risk to them – also forms part of the new Family Support Service and was included in the competitive tender. As a result the service will also be operated by Family Action from February 2016, which will take over the service from The Children’s Centre.
