By April 2017 the local authority will directly deliver the service for children and young people living in North Tyneside.
The move is set to bring together a range of important services with a clear aim of putting children’s health and wellbeing at the heart of the council.
Previously commissioned externally by the local authority, it will include school nursing and health visiting, and these existing staff will transfer to the council.
The services will become part of the council’s recently-established children’s locality teams – which now also provide services such as antenatal and postnatal care, child development, mental health and support for children leaving care – providing a truly integrated service.
Based in communities across the borough, this approach enables families to access the support they need in their local area and at the earliest opportunity – whether it’s in the community setting, in their home or at school.
Cllr Margaret Hall, cabinet member for Public Health, said: “Ensuring every child and young person gets the best start they need to lay the foundations of a healthy and happy life is a priority for North Tyneside Council.
“By bringing all these important services together, we are able to combine the expertise of staff to ensure we deliver the best outcomes for children and their families.”
Cllr Ian Grayson, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Learning, added: “I look forward to welcoming the school nurse and health visiting staff to the council – they will be a great addition to our team.
“The change means we are able to offer a single, universal service for families with children aged 0 to 19 as well as targeted support for those most in need. We aim to have ‘one worker, one family, one plan’ so families don’t find themselves working with lots of people at the same time.”