Commenting following a meeting with the Children’s Commissioner the Minister said: “The Children’s Commissioner and I covered a wide range of issues at our meeting. During our discussions we agreed the importance of children and young people and to our future and the need to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of them.
“Our discussions covered issues of mutual concern such as mental health services for children and young people.
Ms Lewsley said “It was important for me to meet the minister and emphasise some of the key issues facing children in health and personal social services.
“I took the opportunity to advise the minister and his team that there is a need to build on existing good practice, rather than applying temporary solutions.
“I also believe that it is a time to look hard at how health and personal social services is resourced, and take on board information which front line staff tell us all and what children and young people say.”
The issues discussed at the meeting included:
- The parts of the review of mental health and learning disability which relate to Children and Young people;
- Therapy provision with particular emphasis on Speech and Language therapy;
- Services for children and young people with a learning disability; and
- Services for looked after children and young people and in particular developments in policy and practice to ensure these vulnerable children and young people’s rights are fully met.
The Minister concluded: “I believe The Children’s Commissioner will have an important part to play in helping develop the policies and programmes that our children need. We have agreed to meet on a regular basis to discuss progress in a number of areas.
Notes to Editors:
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