by Alison Sutherland, Executive Director of Children's Services, Hartlepool Borough Council Across Hartlepool, we have been working together to create a culture where inclusion is not seen as the responsibility of a single service, school or professional, but a shared commitment across the entire children's system. This collective approach is delivering tangible results, most notably a …
Families First Partnership: Reflecting on Progress, Purpose and the Power of Change in Northumberland County Council
by Vicky McLeod, Director for Children, Young People and Families, Northumberland County Council As leaders in children's services, we are often reminded that meaningful change is rarely a single event, it is a journey. It can take courage to challenge long-established ways of working, commitment to maintain momentum when things are not going smoothly, and a collective belief that things can be …
Relationships First: How Our Family Help Point Is Transforming Support for Children and Families
Majella McCarthy, Director of Children's Services, Stockton on Tees Borough Council As I reflect on the first three months following the launch of our Integrated Front Door- Family Help Point, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride in what has been achieved through collective effort, shared ambition and a genuine commitment to working differently for children and families. For many of us …
Every child deserves a place to call home
by Danielle Swainston, Executive Director of Children and Family Services at Redcar and Cleveland Council Happy New Year! I think I can still say this in the first few weeks of January. I hope you all managed to have some chill out time with your loved ones. I had the luxury of being off for two weeks over Christmas and New Year and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had our Standard ILACS …
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Turning Challenge into Change: South Tyneside’s Journey to Listen, Learn and Lead
by Stuart Easingwood, Director of Children's Service, South Tyneside Council. When the stakes are highest, true change begins with listening. In South Tyneside Children’s Services, we have embraced change in our journey to improve outcomes for children, young people and families. Following Ofsted’s judgement of ‘Inadequate’ in May 2023, we’ve faced tough questions and even tougher …
Working together to build an inclusive education system
by Tony Murphy, Assistant Director Education and Inclusion, Darlington Borough Council In Darlington our SEND strategy was extensively co-produced with families and young people. Some of the key messages from families were the importance of feeling included, respected, valued and safe at school and a sense of belonging and involvement in the town they live in. Through the implementation of …
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