Introduction to the Families and Children’s Trust

The purpose of the Family and Children’s Trust arrangements is to enable partners and stakeholders to work together to improve outcomes for all children and young people in the Northumberland whilst communicating a compelling vision for Northumberland’s children and young people and their families. The needs of children, young people and their families, including the need for safeguarding, are paramount. 

Vision of the Families and Children’s Trust

In Northumberland we aim to create an environment where children and young people are safe and healthy and are provided with opportunities to enjoy and achieve.  We believe that as a direct consequence of this they will be enabled to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and be encouraged to achieve economic well being for themselves as fully rounded adult members of these communities.  We aim to create an environment where children and young people can fulfil their potential; make the most of their many talents; and contribute to the local economy more fully.

We are also committed to tackling inequalities in the county by narrowing the achievement gap.  There are still too many children who do not achieve their full potential particularly those who are looked after, those with learning difficulties or those growing up in poverty and disadvantage.  Although rates of achievement have improved for some groups of young people, there are still too many children whose full potential is not realised. We want to ensure that all children and young people achieve their full potential and in doing so lead fulfilled lives in their adulthood, making a positive contribution to their communities.

This vision corresponds with our continuing work on integrating services and partnership working.  It is only by working in partnership that we can improve the outcomes for young people and ensure that there are no closed doors for those that may need extra support in order to reach their full potential.

Families and Children Trust (FACT) Board

'The Children Trust' is a term used to describe the whole system relating to all services and partners in the provision of services to children and young people.  The Children’s Trust is not therefore the Trust Board alone.  However, the role of the Trust Board is to provide strategic leadership and governance to whole system to ensure that that it is designed to deliver sustainable long term improvements in the outcomes of children and young people.

FACT Board Membership

 - Lead Member for Children's Services (Chair) - Cllr Lesley Rickerby

 - Chair of Family and Children's serves Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Cllr Richard Dodd

 - Deputy Chair of Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Cllr Robert Arckless

 - Corporate Director of Children's Services (DCS) - Paul Moffat

 - Head of Performance, Children's Services - Alan Hartwell

 - Director of Skills, Enterprise & Lifelong Learning, Children's Services - Robin Casson

 - Director of Children's Services, NHS Mental Health Trust - Bruce Dickie

 - Head of Child Health, Northumbria Health Care - Paula Mead

 - Area Commander, Northumbria Police - Mark Dennett

 - NHS Commissioner - Aileen Fitzgerald

 - NHS Director of Public Health - Dr Sue Milner

 - NHS Acute Trust, Northumbria Healthcare - Nicky Moon

 - Consultant Paediatrician, Northumberland Care Trust - Dr Gill Turner

 - Local Strategic Partnership - Janice Rose

 - Learning and Skills Council - Tony Sacco

 - VCS Representation, VoiCeS network - Carol Southam

 - Chair of Schools Forum - Mike Brown

 - Principal of Northumberland College - Rachel Ellis-Jones

 - Jobcentre Plus - Sandra Brydon

FACT Board Terms of Reference and meeting papers can be found in the Related Documents section of this page.

Organisational structure charts for Northumberland County Council and partner agencies represented at the FACT Board can be accessed here

The Children and Young People’s Plan – CYPP

It is a legal requirement for the Children’s Trust to produce and monitor a Children & Young People’s Plan (CYPP) which outlines the trusts vision and focus for children and young people.

Visit the Children and Young People's Plan Website

Northumberland Safeguarding Children Board

Children can only be properly safeguarded if agencies work effectively together.Local Safeguarding Children's Boards are designed to ensure this happens. Contact Deatails for Northumberland's area FACT Teams can also be found on the NSCB page.

Visit the Northumberland Safeguarding Children Board website

Fact Archive

A great deal of the content of our old website can be found on this, our new website.

However, there maybe some information that is relevant to you on our old FACT web page.

For that reason You can still access the old FACT website here.