Kirklees Together

Partnership working was recently evident at the Early Support Partnership launch on Wednesday 30 January at Cathedral House in Huddersfield.

An event with a clear purpose – to showcase the partnerships and services in our district that work together in a restorative, shared approach to deliver and respond to the early support needs of children, young people and families in Kirklees.

Committed to a shared vision for all children and young people

Around 200 partner delegates including local authority services, Locala, Kirklees
Safeguarding Children Board, schools, voluntary/community sector, faith organisations and health agencies came together to demonstrate their commitment to the Kirklees’ vision – that all children, young people and vulnerable learners regardless of gender, race, religion or social status – should have the opportunity to reach their full potential and to achieve their ambitions.

There was a range of presentations from council Early Support Service staff and key
partner agencies including Locala and schools who talked about a unified but not uniform approach to realising the ambition of the partnerships Early Support Strategy. Thus, creating an opportunity for partners to participate in discussions, question and answer sessions.

Cllr Viv Kendrick, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services said:

“Early support is about partnership working and I’m really pleased to see so many other organisations here today.

Without early support services in place, we would be letting children, young people and their families down. That would be an injustice.

Providing early support so all our children have the best chances is everyone’s business – not just the Council’s.

We can’t do it alone! Working together we are united, we have the same objective, the same shared ambition for outcomes and that is something we should be very proud of.”

Mel Meggs, Strategic Director of Children’s Services:

“I am passionate about the importance of early support services for children and young people. All the evidence suggest that they can really improve children’s lives.

2019, for the council, is a year of ambition.

We are delighted to introduce a collective early support strategy that will help us realise that ambition for all our communities.

All of our partners here today, have a vital role in providing this support, it is this that unites us.“

An open marketplace of stalls followed the formal part of the meeting – giving partner delegates a change to interact, share and develop ideas and relationships.

Watch a snapshot of presentations from the day here.

If you have questions or would like more information please get in touch:
michelle.wheatcroft@kirklees.gov.uk or telephone 01484 221000 and ask for Michelle
Wheatcroft.

Who’s in the pic?

Front row – left to right:
Cheryl Beirne, Family Nurse Supervisor, Kirklees Family Nurse Partnership, Locala
Mel Meggs, Strategic Director of Children’s Services
Cllr Vic Kendrick, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Service
Stan White, Castle Community Hub

Back row – left to right:
Michelle Wheatcroft, Head of Early Support
Jo-Anne Saunders, Service Director Learning & Early Support
Alison Millbourn, Public Health Manager
Ruth Aseervatham – Children’s Operational Manager, Thriving Kirklees, Locala
Cliff Dunbavin – Operational Manager at Locala Community Partnerships CIC
Cllr Vic Kendrick, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Service