Mr. Bill Forbes:

The project on multiple adverse childhood experiences was initially delayed because of Covid-19. We have appointed a project manager and it is now having a full impact and working extremely well. It has bespoke drawdown contracts for early intervention for children, as opposed to having the most vulnerable in society waiting. It was targeted at children aged from birth to three years and from 11 to 13. We are now covering the entire spectrum from zero to 18 years.

The two frameworks that have been developed allow both jurisdictions to immediately access specialist services for children so they do not go on a waiting list. It is a bespoke contract drawdown. If a child meets the criteria in the assessment tool the practitioner can access the services and there is no delay. It is going really well at present. We gave a presentation on it to the CAWT secretariat only two weeks ago. We have full confidence it will have beneficiaries. The SEUPB has been very supportive. It has extended the programme until May 2023 due to the turnaround of the project and the impact it is having on the most vulnerable in society.

It is a very successful project. Children's services are one of our focuses on the PEACE PLUS project. Mental health and well-being and children's services will be incorporated into that. We are working with the strategy groups on that. We are looking at different age groups through our CAWT strategy groups to see what will have the most impact going forward. Children's services therefore are always at the forefront of our mind, as they are for PEACE PLUS.