A service for 0-19 year olds and their families has been awarded to Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. Action for Children and The Children’s Society will be subcontractors to this contract.

This is a significant investment in services for children and families in Torbay with a budget of £17.6million.

Torbay’s Director of Public Health, Caroline Dimond, said: “This is great news for the Bay, the contract will start on Monday 1 April, however, all of the current services for children and families in Torbay will continue without change or interruption. New services will be introduced between April 2019 and April 2020. The redesign of 0-19 services will improve outcomes for children and families by supporting early intervention through an outcomes focussed integrated service model.”

Ann Wagner, Director of Strategy & Improvement for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to receive confirmation of the contract award.This award is not the end of the journey, but the solid foundation of exciting new beginnings for the future delivery of these services with our partners Action for Children & the Children’s Society. Our shared objective is to develop a truly integrated service with our partners to deliver the best possible service to our children, young people and families of Torbay.’’

Robert Wyatt, Operational Director of England South’s Children’s Services said: “We’re delighted to continue our vital work helping and supporting families and children in Torbay. We’re looking forward to working with our partners, Torbay and South Devon NHS foundation trust and The Children’s Society to deliver this new and exciting integrated model which will help us reach the families who really need us.”

Richard Kirkup, Area Manager at The Children’s Society, which will support vulnerable children including those in care, those who go missing and those affected by drug or alcohol misuse, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue to offer much-needed help to vulnerable young people in Torbay. Many children face a number of challenges in their lives at the same time, and through this integrated service we can work alongside our partners to ensure that issues are not tackled in isolation. It’s vital children have somewhere to turn for help and we are committed to making a real difference to their lives, both by preventing problems from escalating and offering support when they do.”

Services will be together in community spaces, enabling easier access for families including an improved digital offer and better working together for staff members.”

• Public Health Nursing (Health Visitors and School Nurses).
• National Child Measurement Programme.
• Children’s Centres.
• Young People’s Substance Misuse Service.
• Return Home Interviews.
• Independent advocacy.

Updates will be made available on www.torbay.gov.uk/integrated-commissioning as well as regular communication from the providers of the 0-19 Service.