CYPSP

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August 19, 2026Back to School Starts Here!  The countdown to a new school year is on! Whether you are getting ready for your very first day, moving up to a new school, packing lunches, preparing for exam results, or supporting a young person through a big transition, we have gathered together a range of resources to help make the journey a little easier. Packed with activities, wellbeing tips, practical advice and useful signposting, there is something for children, young people and families of all ages. Here’s to a year filled with confidence, curiosity, learning and lots of reasons to smile! Download your free copy at: https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/426/cyp-resource-pack/48924/cyp-resource-pack-august-2026-back-to-school.pdf (Note: Newsletter will download directly to your device.  Look out for the pop-up box and click on open file when it appears). Resources and activities are free and in the public domain. [...] Read more...
August 18, 2026Charity Director in new role to champion the ‘power of partnership’   A local charity leader has been appointed to help lead a multi-agency partnership which works to improve outcomes for children and young people. Lorna Ballard, National Director at Action for Children in Northern Ireland, is the new deputy chairperson at the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP). A Larne native, Ms Ballard has a strong social work background and has headed up Action for Children NI since 2020. CYPSP brings together leaders from statutory bodies, and community/voluntary sectors to improve the lives of children and families. It coordinates joint planning and resources to deliver early intervention and family support. The Regional Group provides strategic leadership for the implementation of Northern Ireland’s Children’s Services Plan, bringing partners together to coordinate planning and action across agencies. Outcomes Groups align with NI’s five Health and Social Care Trust areas and coordinate local planning based on regional needs. Locality Planning Groups, 25 across Northern Ireland, bring community organisations and statutory bodies together to address the needs of children at a local, grassroots level. CYPSP also oversees 29 local hubs that act as a single point of access for families who need early support and the partnership also regularly publishes guides to help caregivers and young people navigate local services. Alongside the current Chairperson – Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency – Ms Ballard is committed to being a strong voice for children, young people and their families and finding better ways to collaborate for their benefit. She said: “It’s an honour to be appointed to this role and I’m excited to bring my professional perspective and experience to the table. “CYPSP is a powerhouse with representation across sectors, covering all Northern Ireland and united with a common goal – to make life better for infants, children, young people and families here.” Ms Ballard added: “In my first meeting as Deputy Chair last month, I was struck by how much passion and willingness there was in the room to collaborate and find new ways to solve old challenges. The power of partnership is at the heart of CYPSP and is the golden thread that I’ll be following during my time in this position.”   ENDS For more information on the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership, visit https://cypsp.hscni.net [...] Read more...
August 18, 2026Join the Autism Services team online for an awareness session aimed at professionals working with a child or working with a parent of a child who has: A confirmed diagnosis Waiting on an assessment or Concerns that their child may be on the spectrum Thursday 8 October 2026, 10.00-12.30pm, Online To apply: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/7jCHaVX7cm [...] Read more...

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The Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) brings together a range of agencies, including voluntary and community sector organisations, that aim to improve the lives of children and young people in Northern Ireland.

In the past, despite best efforts, everyone who worked with children and young people provided services separately which only created problems for children and young people, and their families and wasted resources. The CYPSP aims to plan and provide services for children and young people more efficiently by making joint decisions about the services needed, and funding these services together.

Importantly, the CYPSP emphasizes a rights-based approach to its work. This means planning services that uphold children’s rights and encouraging children, young people and their parents to participate in the process.