Children, young people and their families are being asked for their views on plans to join together education, early years, children’s community health, early help and social care services in Cornwall.

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet last week supported the development of a business case for a new way of organising services for children, young people and families.

The proposed model would be wholly owned by the council and follows Government funding of £1.9 million from the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme to help transform the way education, health and social care services work together.  

Council cabinet member for children and well-being, Liskeard councillor Sally Hawken, said: ‘We know that we need to join our education, community health and social care services together to improve the quality and effectiveness of services to children, young people and their families.

‘We cannot just go on doing the same thing in the same way in the face of increasing child poverty, rising demand for our services and ongoing cuts in Government funding. 

‘Despite our best efforts over the last few years we haven’t been able to integrate services on a wider scale. 

‘One of the things that we consistently hear from our service users is how frustrating it is to have to tell the same story to multiple professionals. 

‘Part of this work is about making it easier for people to access more joined-up services and get the help they need more quickly and all in one go. 

‘The other part of this work is about creating the freedom to explore alternative funding that could then be reinvested into services, which will help us close the gap between the rising level of need and reduced government funding.’

The Council is inviting children, young people and their families to give their views on the proposals through either an online survey or by contacting the Council for a paper copy by phoning 0300 1234 101 or emailing  [email protected]

The feedback provided will help inform a full business case which will be presented to Cabinet for approval in 2018.