Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS)

In Essex, our vision is to work in partnership to create lasting positive change for children, young people and families. This is why the ECC’s Children and Families team, Public Health team and NHS west Essex are working together. We want to make it easy for local families to access integrated services which enable them to be safe, healthy, connected, happy and learning. Central to delivering this vision is the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS).

First established in 2017 we have sought and continue to be committed to the delivery of the ECFWS as a ‘service without walls’ which meets the following principles:

1. Is focussed on citizens’ outcomes and experiences.
2. Adapts and creates opportunities to innovate.
3. Believes that most citizens can be masters of their own destinies and helps them to take control.
4. Collaborates with partners to solve problems.
5. Engages and listens to citizens, involving them directly in understanding problems, testing solutions.
6. Learns and improves by analysing and reflecting in an open way.

As we move into the next decade of the ECFWS delivery we want to work with a provider that not only meets these principles but is able to do so with a laser focus on our priority places, priority people and priority outcomes. Achieving this will include delivering the following services:

1. Public health services: 0 – 19 Healthy child programme and the healthy schools programme (Essex county resident population)
2. Children’s and families services: Family hub venues and services (Essex county resident population)
3. NHS services: Community paediatrics, ASD/ADHD, looked after children assessment, community nursing, special school nursing (West Essex NHS registered population including Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford district council areas).

We are currently exploring the inclusion of other possible services such as children in care medical assessments and child protection medicals. We are also working with Suffolk and North East Essex and Mid and South East Essex Integrated Care Boards to explore the potential for NHS specialist children's services provided to Essex NHS registered patients to transition into this contract after commencement. We are currently planning for a contract of a minimum of 10 years. The value of the existing contract is approximately £350m over ten years, with additional functions that could increase to £600m over the next ten years.

With the current contract concluding on the 31 March 2027 we want to talk to potential providers about our vision, principles and priorities. If you would like to find out more then please register to join one of our engagement sessions taking place on Tuesday, 21 January, 2025, 1.30 – 3pm or Tuesday, 4 February, 2025 from 10 – 11.30am by emailing Tony.Fisher@essex.gov.uk.