Action for Children is working with local partners to help boost outcomes for young people in Inverclyde
A new £1.2 million school-based service which aims to boost wellbeing has been launched by Inverclyde Council and a children’s charity.
The local authority and Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) have teamed up with Action for Children to deliver an innovative support service to pupils in every school across the district.
It will promote children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing and increase resilience through a range of therapeutic support, including targeted one-to-one counselling and group work, as well as preventative activities. The service will also provide support to parents and families, teachers and other professionals.
It was developed in consultation with young people through the Clyde Conversations events held locally and as part of the HSCP’s strategic plan, which identified mental health among younger age groups as a priority.
Action for Children expects to reach each of Inverclyde’s six secondaries, 20 primaries, two additional support needs (ASN) schools and two independent schools in the first 12 months of the three-year partnership.
This project builds on charity’s success with its UK-wide Blues Programme, funded by Royal Mail, to help young people with their mental health. Over the course of six weeks in schools, students were given the support they need to understand how they are feeling, help them to build resilience and reduce low mood, depression, and anxiety.
Paul Carberry, Action for Children director for Scotland, said: “We believe that partnership working is key, this approach is something that I’m proud Action for Children excels in and as an organisation is something we develop, support and continue to promote.
“We have a proven track record in Inverclyde through delivering youth justice, employability, family support and Roots of Empathy and we look forward to continuing our partnership approach with Inverclyde Council to deliver this new health and wellbeing service to primary pupils in Inverclyde.”
The project has been welcomed by Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities and chair of the Integrated Joint Board (IJB), which oversees the HSCP.
Cllr Clocherty added: “We have a proud reputation here in Inverclyde of being caring and compassionate, values shared by Action for Children making it a perfect fit to help deliver this service to our children and young people.
“Whilst we endeavour to ensure that every child has a positive experience growing up in Inverclyde, we understand that young people these days arguably face greater challenges than ever before for a variety of reasons, none more so than in the current climate of uncertainty caused by a global health pandemic.
“That’s why it’s crucial that the council is there to not only provide a good education in our first-class school buildings by our talented staff but to offer a helping hand to our young people to overcome any difficulties they may face along the way.
“This project is also an excellent example of partnership working together to improve the lives of our citizens.”
A virtual introductory took place on Tuesday (25 August) for all Inverclyde head teachers, deputies, and staff from across the HSCP.
A formal launch event involving children and young people will take place at a later date.
