FAMILY & CHILD CARE SERVICES The Family and Childcare Programme has undertaken a new initiative called New Beginnings. This aims to ensure that children are raised within their families or communities. In order to ensure more effective delivery of these services, and to promote this strategic direction the Programme has been re-organised to include specialist teams delivering services to Looked After Children and Children in Need. The re-organisation has also included the development of a centralised Duty and Assessment Team which receives all enquiries/referrals to the Programme, and carries out assessments on all appropriate cases. New Beginnings ensures there is increased emphasis on Family Support and, as a result, the Trust has invested in the employment of Family Workers. The introduction of centralised panels ensures that the resources of Family Services, Residential Services, Fostering, Adoption, Early Years, Leaving and Aftercare services are allocated on a consortium basis to meet the assessed need of children and families. Partnerships with other agencies both voluntary and statutory provide invaluable assistance to the Trust in meeting these needs. The introduction of the Family Group Conferencing Service is another new development within this Programme, which enables children to be raised with their families or extended family. The Trust has built a number of new children’s homes throughout the Foyle area. The Trust also has a unit at Creggan Day Centre which provides services to children with a disability. In partnership with NCH (National Children’s Home) and the Methodist City Mission the Trust opened a new Family Centre in the Waterside area. Services are being provided by NHC on behalf of the partnership. Preparations for the introduction of the new “Leaving Care Bill” to be introduced in April 2005 puts renewed responsibility on Trusts and Care Leavers. The Trust, in partnership with other agencies, will seek to develop integrated and co-coordinated services for the 16+ age group who are in need. Duty and Assessment Team Family Intervention Service Looked After Children's Services