The Trust is delighted to announce that it has successfully retained the contract for its outstanding and innovative 0-19+ Service Wirral, following a competitive tender process.
The award of this five year contract, commissioned by Wirral Council, reflects the Trust’s continued commitment to delivering high quality, evidence based services that support children, young people and families across Wirral. It also recognises the dedication, expertise and professionalism of the teams who work tirelessly in communities every day to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
Since 2015, the Trust has delivered the 0-19+ Service in partnership with local families, schools, community organisations and stakeholders. Together, they have developed a service that is accessible, responsive and focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of local children, young people and their families. Alongside universal services, tailored support is provided to those who need it most, helping families overcome challenges and access the right support at the right time.
The service supports more than 71,600 children and young people across Wirral (based on 2021 Census population estimates), promoting healthy development, improving health outcomes and supporting emotional and physical wellbeing from birth through to young adulthood.
Services provided through the 0-19+ Service Wirral include:
- Health Visiting
- School Nursing
- Breastfeeding Support
- Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), providing dedicated support for young parents
The quality of the service has also been recognised nationally. Earlier this year, the 0-19+ Service Wirral and Family Nurse Partnership, working in partnership with Family Hubs, achieved UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Gold accreditation, the highest level of recognition available.
The prestigious award recognises the outstanding and sustained commitment to supporting infant feeding and positive parent-infant relationships. Gold accreditation is awarded to organisations that have fully embedded Baby Friendly standards into their practice and culture, ensuring families receive consistent, evidence based support and the best possible start in life. Assessors praised the service as “a strong service with commitment to UNICEF standards seen throughout the assessment“, highlighting the dedication, compassion and expertise demonstrated by staff in their daily support of local families.
The continuation of the service will enable the Trust to build on its strong track record of innovation, partnership working and quality improvement, ensuring children, young people and families across Wirral continue to receive high quality support over the next five years.
Lindsey Costello, Service Director, said;
We are incredibly proud of the difference our teams make every day to the lives of children, young people and families across Wirral. Retaining this contract is a testament to the dedication, expertise and compassion of our staff, and the high quality services they deliver. Our teams are committed to giving every child the best possible start in life. Their passion, professionalism and dedication help ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive, Wirral Community Health and Care said;
The 0-19+ Service is passionate about supporting children, young people and families to achieve the best possible outcomes. The team provides compassionate, person centred care and works closely with families and partners to ensure services reflect the needs of the local community. Through a commitment to continuous improvement and new ways of working, the service helps to reduce health inequalities and delivers both universal and targeted support, enabling children and young people to thrive.
Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde, Chair of the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee said;
The 0-19+ Service Wirral, delivered by Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, has provided invaluable support to children, young people and families across our borough for many years. We are delighted that this important service will continue following the renewal of its contract for the next five years. The Trust has a strong track record of helping children to achieve the best possible start in life while providing assistance to families when they need it most, including some of our most vulnerable residents. Achieving a 98% satisfaction rating through the NHS Friends and Family Test is a tremendous endorsement of the dedication, professionalism and compassion shown by staff every day. I would like to thank everyone involved for their continued commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Wirral’s children, young people and families.
