Introduction

We need to ensure children, young people and families in Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil  and Rhondda Cynon Taf live safe, healthy and fulfilled lives and that they can achieve their full potential. To do this, we need to ensure their voices are heard,  listened to, acted upon and responded to whether changes are made or not.

We need to work together to build strong and resilient communities as while Cwm Taf Morgannwg can be a great place to grow up, children, young people and families do face challenges.

What do we mean by children and young people with complex needs?

You may hear people referencing ‘children or young people with complex needs’. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act defines this group as children or young people aged between 0 and 25 (who are still eligible for services).

Including:

  • Children with disabilities and/ or illness
  • Children who are care experienced
  • Children who are in need of care and support
  • Children who are at risk of becoming looked after
  • Children with emotional and behavioural needs

Our Findings

To truly understand what children, young people and their families need, we want to ensure they are actively involved in our work, and can work with us to create the right services for them.

For example, insights from the ‘Our Voice Matters’ project which fed into our Population Needs Assessment has shown us that children and young people would like:

  • Further support with resilience building/ mental health & wellbeing
  • More ‘safe spaces’ for spending time with friends and their community, and gain help and assistance
  • Opportunities to try new things to build practical and life skills for the future
  • Better communication and information sharing, so they can stay connected and up to date with accurate and reliable information
  • To have their voice heard, and be fully involved in decisions and consultations
  • Better support to make, sustain and strengthen friendships

Information such as this helps us to understand how to create a better and brighter future for children, young people and their families.

This page will aim to keep you up to date on our progress and ways to get involved.

Stories on how children and young people are being supported

Mental health & wellbeing creativity day at Gilfach Goch Community Association

Children and young people were invited to participate in a creative day to discuss what mental health and wellbeing means to them.

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Giving children and young people a chance to have some fun during the pandemic.

Last summer, thousands of assisted play sessions helped support vulnerable children & young people to develop their emotional and physical skills.

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Supporting young people at risk of poor emotional wellbeing.

Funding for Green Gym provided outdoor activities for young people with, or at risk of, poor emotional wellbeing.

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