Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) has been awarded the contract to deliver the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme (HCP) and other children’s services in Stockton-on-Tees following a competitive bidding process. 
The £17.1 million contract, commissioned by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, will run for four years with a contract start date of 1 April 2018.
The HCP is a universal service where the needs and voice of children, young people and families are the core of the service that will identify and address need at the earliest opportunity, recognise and build on the strengths that are within individuals to enable them to be part of the solution to overcoming challenges and identify and develop resources within communities so that children, young people and families have access to support when and where they need it.
In addition to the HCP, HDFT will also be providing the Growing Well, Growing Healthy service, which will implement a joined-up plan for obesity prevention in children, young people and families; deliver a high quality National Child Measurement Programme ensuring that children and families are proactively offered the support appropriate to their needs; and offer a weight management service among other initiatives.
Thirdly, HDFT will also be operating the Family Outreach and Volunteering Service, working in partnership with the national charity Family Action, which provides practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation. This exciting community-based service will work to improve parenting confidence, help people feel in control and less stressed; enhance relationships and wellbeing (especially for children, but also with partners, family, friends, neighbours and the local community) and develop resources to support families.
HDFT already operates the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme in North Yorkshire, Middlesbrough, Darlington and County Durham, making it the largest provider by geographical area of such services in the country.
HDFT will use a ‘One Team’ approach and service delivery model for the HCP. This will help to deliver efficient and effective services at a community, local and individual level, providing a clear focus on prevention and early intervention to help break the cycle of health inequalities for families.
Suzanne Lamb, Head of Children’s Public Health Nursing at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re delighted to successfully win this contract. It’s an exciting opportunity for us to deliver a high quality service, putting the children and young people in Stockton-on-Tees first.
“We have a shared responsibility with our partners, particularly Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Family Action, to work with children, young people and their families to keep them safe, promote resilience and emotional wellbeing, reduce risk and prevent problems from escalating.
“We have significant experience of delivering this service across North Yorkshire and the North East. We have been meeting with the enthusiastic, committed and professional staff transferring across to us and we are looking forward to working with them.”
David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action said: “Family Action is delighted to be working with HDFT and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council to deliver practical and effective services to support families in Stockton-on-Tees. Through this excellent new partnership we hope to make a profound difference to the lives of many children, young people and families in the local area.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Widdowfield, Communications and Marketing Manager, [email protected] and 01423 557470.
About Family Action:
Family Action is a national charity committed to building stronger families and brighter lives by delivering innovative and effective services and support that reaches out to many of the UK’s most vulnerable people. We seek to empower people and communities to address their issues and challenges through practical, financial and emotional help. Our work is wide-ranging and includes help for parents-to-be, the provision of many Children’s Centres in local communities, intensive family support, emotional health and wellbeing services, counselling, mediation and therapies, support in schools, and financial grants programmes. Family Action is also recognised as a leading provider of training and consultancy.
Registered Charity Number: 264 713
www.family-action.org.uk
Twitter: @family_action
Facebook: Family Action
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YouTube: Family Action