KEY services for children and families in Inverclyde are being redesigned against a backdrop of financial and demand pressures.

The health and social care partnership plans to develop a new service specification to meet changing needs and boost early help and support for families, with more targeted intervention.

The shake-up is outlined in a new report by chief officer Kate Rocks, which will be discussed at next Tuesday’s social work and social care scrutiny panel.

It highlights the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis on children and young people, families and the workforce has continued – describing the latter as having a 'significant adverse effect on communities'.

New guidelines will be developed this year as part of a programme of consultation about the redesign of the service.

The report said: 'The focus will be on strengthening relationships within families where children and young people are sustained in their families, homes and communities.

'Alongside this, earlier intervention approaches will enable family capacity to be strengthened within an overall enhanced pathway of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.'

Bosss say the redesign will be underpinned by a series of principles, which include shifting the balance of care by strengthening family capacity and increasing the number of fostering households.