A network of "family hubs" will be set up to help children and young people under a plan for growing up in County Durham.

The new plan also aims to get more young people travelling by bus, improve school attendance and reduce the number of babies going into care and the number of times children go to hospital with "unintentional injuries".

It will also monitor the number of mothers breastfeeding and mothers smoking, as well as bullying and anti-social behaviour.

The new Growing Up in County Durham Strategy for 2023 to 2025 was presented to Durham County Council's cabinet.

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The plan aims to make sure children have the best start in life "even before they are born" and are supported to be happy, healthy and safe with "joined-up" services.

Among its actions are developing 15 family hubs to provide community services and support to young people and families, and giving young people access to facilities, learning, skills and "seamless services".

It ties into a bus service improvement plan with concessionary fares and benefits helping young people get to education, health and leisure facilities, work and apprenticeships.

Children and young people services director John Pearce said: "The strategy was developed in conjunction with children and young people and their families, as well as a range of partners and community groups which deliver children's services.

"It captures the things that children and young people told us are important to them."

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He said it covered the consequences of the pandemic and physical and mental health, adding: "It's trying to look at where we can add value to the lives of children and young people across the county.

"We plan to launch it in 2023. We think it's a very accessible document. It's been designed and developed with children and young people."

Councillor Ted Henderson, cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "I know that we've listened to the views of children and young people and that they have guided the development of the Growing Up in County Durham Strategy.

"The strategy has been written in a way that is easy for a young people to understand without technical information.

"It focuses on adding to the excellent work that is already being done across the county.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Ted Henderson.Cllr Ted Henderson.

"It is also based on the evidence which has informed the high-level actions including the development of a network of family hubs to deliver locally based services and exploring the benefits available to young people who use public transport.

"I am confident that the strategy includes the right actions to improve the lives of children, young people and their families across the county.

"I fully support the vision of the Growing Up in County Durham Strategy, that County Durham supports all children, young people and their families to achieve their goals in life in an environment that is safe, happy and healthy."

Cllr John Shuttleworth, cabinet member for rural communities and highways, said: "A lot of children and young people told us that following the lockdowns during the Covid pandemic, they recognised the importance of being able to go out into their communities and access services.

The Northern Echo: Cllr John Shuttleworth.Cllr John Shuttleworth.

"They talked about how important it is to be able to socialise face-to-face with friends, to be able to access leisure facilities or take part in physical activities and access good-quality learning and skills opportunities.

"I realise that living in a rural community in County Durham at a time which is hard financially for many families can make it difficult for families and young people to access the services they want or need.

"I'm really pleased to see addressing public transport issues has been recognised and included in the new strategy."

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