We are pleased to introduce our Market Position Statement for children, young people, and families in Essex. This information sets out the services commissioned by Children and Families Services for children in care in Essex. Providing a clear message around future needs by setting out information on the different services commissioned and how demand may change in the coming years. Along with the types of service provision we may need to meet it. Thus, informing more effective commissioning based on strong relationships with providers.

We are publishing this information on a website for ease of updating in the future. Work on making the information interactive so providers can access the specific service areas of interest. This data uses May 2023 as a baseline, but we will refresh the data later in early 2024. 

We are working in demanding and challenging times. This statement comes when there are different paper and legislative changes around Children and Family services. An ambitious Essex County Council levelling up strategy and following a pandemic which has affected the physical and emotional wellbeing of individuals and disrupted family stability.  

We want all children and young people, but especially those who are vulnerable, to have access to good education, to lead safe, happy, healthy lives. The key outcomes we want to deliver are:

• Resilient Children and Young People
• Stable and thriving Families
• Inclusive and supportive schools and communities
• Safe and accessible neighbourhoods

The impact to children and families as a result of COVID and the Cost-of-Living Crisis continues to cause pressure to our vulnerable families across Essex. 

In 2022 the independent review of children’s social care in England, the Right support, right place, right time, Government consultation on the SEND and alternative provision system in and Children’s and Young People Social Care Market Study, by the Competition and Markets Authority, highlights the changes required to ensure the appropriate services are available to children in Essex. 

Essex has committed to work with children, families, providers and partners to shape the future services delivered to children in care across Essex. We want to work with all parties to face and tackle these issues together.  This will include further work over 2023 to understand the views of our market and those receiving services and care. 

We would welcome your views on how useful the information is and the format for presenting the data as we continue to develop the range of information we can share. Please refer to our contact section for further information.