Harrow Horizons, the emotional wellbeing service for children and young people, will be provided by the Anna Freud Centre from April.
The decision to appoint the Anna Freud Centre to run the Harrow Horizon service was made by the NHS NW London Integrated Care Board and Harrow Council, with representation from the voluntary sector and young people, following a successful tender.
The service will continue to offer help and support to children in Harrow aged up to 18, as well as people aged up to 25 with special educational needs (SEN). Those already receiving support from Harrow Horizons will be contacted about the change.
The service provides a range of accessible and engaging evidence based activity and therapeutic support to meet the emotional wellbeing and mental health needs of children, young people and their families/carers.
Peter Tolley, Director of Children’s Services, said: “We are pleased to announce The Anna Freud Centre has been awarded this contract. We look forward to working together to offer much needed help and support to children and young people living in Harrow”
Isha Coombes, NHS NW London, Harrow Borough Director, said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to work with The Anna Freud Centre to deliver this important service.
“The partnership will allow us to build on the work we have been doing over the past five years through the Harrow Horizons Service, to make a really positive difference to the lives of children and young people.”
Jaime Smith, Director of the Schools Division at the Anna Freud Centre, said: “Anna Freud Centre has a strong track record of delivering evidence-based training, advice and support for those involved in the care of children, alongside direct interventions with young people and their families. We look forward to working collaboratively with local partners to deliver the next phase of Harrow Horizons and help to improve outcomes for young people.”
The new contract begins on 1 April 2023.
Referral information and contact details will be shared once the service is live in April.
Children and young people will be able to be referred to the service through several routes; their GP, parent/carers, teacher, social worker, other professionals working with children and young people. Self-referral will also be available for those experiencing mild and moderate psychological, emotional or behavioural needs.
All children referred into the service, and their families, will receive support and services appropriate to their needs.
ENDS