- Q1: What are Children and Young People's Services Committees?
CYPSC are county level committees that plan and co-ordinate services in local authority (city or county council) areas for children and young people aged between 0 – 24 years. The committees bring together the main statutory, community and voluntary providers of services for children, young people and families in each area. Their role is to enhance interagency co-operation and to realise the National Outcomes, as set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020. Click here to learn more about the purpose of CYPSC.
- Q2: How did CYPSC come about?
Children and Young People's Services Committees (CYPSC) were formerly known as Children’s Services Committees (CSCs) and arose from the Working Together for Children Initiative, 2007. Their purpose was to secure better developmental outcomes for children through the more effective integration and planning of services and interventions at local level. The age remit of CSCs was from 0 – 18 years of age. This age remit was extended to 0-24 years in 2014 for CYPSC to align with Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 and to ensure a more connected and co-ordinated response to the needs and aspirations of children and young people. Click here to learn more on the background of CYPSC.
- Q3: How do CYPSC fit with Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures?
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 is the first overarching national policy framework spanning all children and young people aged between 0 to 24 years – one third of the national population. To reflect this age remit, Children’s Services Committees have been renamed Children and Young People’s Services Committees. CYPSC are firmly embedded in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures as the local delivery mechanism for national policy. Click here to read more about CYPSC commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
- Q4: What does a CYPSC do?
CYPSC ensure the connection of national policy with local implementation; plan and coordinate the provision of services; and inform the provision of resources in their area. They develop and oversee the implementation of a three-year Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) designed to improve outcomes for children and young people in the area. The CYPP outlines the CYPSCs’ priorities and includes a detailed action plan. The actions and priorities identified by the CYPSC are derived from a local needs analysis and national priorities arising from Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020. Click here to read more about the Children and Young People's Plans.
- Q5: Who sits on CYPSC?
CYPSC are chaired by an Area Manager from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and vice chaired by a representative from the Local Authority (City or County Council). Each CYPSC has a local co-ordinator. Broader CYPSC membership includes senior managers from the major statutory, community and voluntary providers of services to children, young people and their families in the CYPSC area. Click here to learn more about CYPSC membership.
- Q6: What are the national structures for CYPSC?
In addition to the strategic direction provided by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, at national level operational leadership is provided to CYPSC by the National Co-ordinator for Children and Young People’s Services Committees. The Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group supports the effective operation and practical implementation of CYPSC at local level and alignment with the implementation infrastructure for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020. Click here to read more about national structures.