New children's strategy launched for County Durham

Leah, Caitlin, Makayla, and Chloe from the County Durham Youth Council

We have launched a new children's strategy, Growing Up in County Durham (GUiCD), for 2023-2025.

Building on its previous strategy for 2019-2022, we have worked with partners in the NHS, police, and the voluntary and community sector to outline four key aims to make sure every child has the best start in life and that they and their families are supported from pregnancy through to adulthood.

Involving children and young people

The new strategy has also been developed with the significant involvement of children, young people, parents, and carers, who gave feedback on what challenges they face, what their priorities are, and what services they value from us and partners.

Engagement sessions were carried out through our One Point family centres, fostering network and 0 to 25 services, as well as the Youth Council, Investing in Children, and the voluntary and community sector.

Meeting needs and priorities

Cllr Ted Henderson, our Cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "It was very important to us that our renewed children's strategy had the thoughts and feelings of young people at its heart, so that our services are delivered in a way that meets the needs and priorities of all types of families.

"We are committed to making our county a vibrant, thriving and nurturing place for children and young people to grow up in, and we plan to continue working with children and families to ensure our strategy delivers outcomes which bring value to their lives."

Animation

Children and young people have also been involved in creating an animation for the new strategy, where they were invited to help write the script, record voiceovers, and work with designers on the animation-making process.

This video will be used online to provide families and the public with a more accessible version of the strategy and its key aims.