Trust launches early intervention scheme

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has launched a new Early Intervention Transitions Support Programme funded through the Social Investment Fund by the Northern Ireland Executive Office of the First and Deputy First Minster.

The Trust is the lead partner in this new programme which is worth approximately £2.6 million over two and half years.

The Early Intervention Transitions Support Programme will see three projects provide a range of activities across four localities in the Trust area, North Down & Ards, Colin, Greater Lisburn and Down, which are the areas of greatest need and identified as having significant levels of deprivation and social problems by NISRA/OFMDFM.

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The three projects, Incredible Years, Mentoring for Achievement and Partnership with Parents will deliver parenting courses, one to one working with parents and children and mentoring support for children. The Trust has appointed community based partnerships to help deliver the three projects in each of these areas which will be undertaken by a wide range of community, voluntary and not for profit organisations working together with local communities.

The three projects will aim to target the “transitions” stages of children and young people moving from nursery and pre-school into primary school and from primary into post primary settings. The aim is to focus on those children and young people who are at risk of not achieving their full educational potential.

Brendan Whittle, Director of Children’s Services & Executive Director of Social Work, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, stated “The Early Intervention Transition Support Programme is an example of how the Social Investment Fund is making a difference on the ground, through helping children living in some of our most disadvantaged communities to achieve their potential; and I am delighted that the Trust, along with a wide range of partners, has been able to contribute to its delivery in the South Eastern area.”