Cumberland Council is encouraging people to have their say on ways to improve its services that support children from before birth to aged 19.
The council is currently looking to improve the way it supports children and their families, so that every child and young person in Cumberland gets the best start in life.
The council’s 0-19 Healthy Child Programme covers a number of services, including support from health visitors during pregnancy up until the age of five, to more tailored help provided to older children and families through the 5-19 public health nursing service. The council is currently preparing to recommission its health visitor and school nursing services.
The proposals being consulted on include taking a new four-step approach to the way services are delivered. The first is community-based support taking advantage of the wealth of community groups and organisations throughout Cumberland to help deliver sessions. There are also proposals to improve the support available online.
The council also proposes a Universal Support offer which will be available to all those who do not have any specific health and wellbeing needs. As part of the council’s preventative approach to services, it will also seek to identify any future needs early enough to ensure they can be addressed before they worsen. Around three-quarters of those eligible for support under the programme will receive this support.
In addition, it is proposed that more targeted as well as specialist support will be made available for those who need it.
The consultation also asks about the council’s approach to its National Child Measurement Programme focusing on how to raise awareness about healthy weight.
Residents should go online to read more about the consultation and provide their views. They can also ask for a hard copy version to be sent to by contacting the customer service team on 0300 373 3730.
Speaking on the consultation, Cllr Lisa Brown, Deputy Leader and Executive member with responsibility for the Adults and Community Health Portfolio, said: “Cumberland Council is committed to providing excellent care and support for our families, children and young people so that they get the best start in life. Over the past few months, we’ve been reviewing our services and speaking to all sorts of people – parents, carers, local organisations and of course young people themselves. I'd like to thank all those who have given their views and also to our staff who have worked really hard to get us to where we are today.
"We’d encourage everyone to take the time to respond to our consultation on how we go forward with our 0-19 Healthy Child Programme, so that we can develop a programme of support that works for everyone.”
The deadline for responses is 11 August 2024. Anyone with any queries on the consultation should email Public.HealthEnquiries@cumberland.gov.uk .
