A new service aimed at making it easier for children, young people and families in Powys to access emotional wellbeing support has been launched.

Powys SPACE (Single Point of Access for Children's Emotional Wellbeing) was officially launched on Thursday, September 3, bringing together services across education, health, social care and support organisations.

The service is intended to provide a single route into advice, information, early help and emotional wellbeing support for babies, children and young people aged up to 25, as well as their families.

Instead of families having to work out which service to approach, SPACE acts as a “virtual front door”, with enquiries and referrals going through the same coordinated system.

The service can be accessed by families and young people themselves, as well as professionals working with them.

Once a referral or enquiry is received, the SPACE team will have a “What Matters” conversation with the individual or family to understand their needs, strengths and circumstances. They will then be connected with the most appropriate support.

The council says the new approach should mean earlier access to advice and guidance, faster connections to services and a more joined-up experience for families.

It is also intended to provide more consistent decision-making between agencies, reduce duplication and make support pathways clearer for professionals.

The development of SPACE follows work in Powys which identified a need for a simpler approach to emotional health and wellbeing support.

It builds on the principles of the Nyth/Nest framework, which promotes early support for children and families, with the aim of helping people before problems become more serious.

Councillor Sandra Davies, Powys County Council’s cabinet member for future generations, said the launch was a “significant step forward” in supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of children, young people and families.

She said: “We know that navigating services can sometimes be confusing and that families often want help at an earlier stage.

“SPACE provides a single, easy-to-access route that brings organisations together, reduces duplication and helps people get the right support first time.

"By working in partnership and focusing on early intervention, we can make a real difference to the lives of children and young people, helping them build resilience, improve wellbeing and access support before difficulties become more serious.

"I would like to thank all the partners and staff who have worked hard to develop this innovative service and make it available to families across Powys."

SPACE does not replace existing routes into emergency or crisis services, safeguarding procedures or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) referral routes.

Anyone needing urgent support should call NHS 111 and select option two, or call 999 in an emergency.

Powys SPACE can be accessed through an online referral form at: https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/22396/Emotional-Health--Wellbeing-support-for-your-family or via the webpage: https://en.powys.gov.uk/powysspace

The dedicated phone number is 01873 377758.

The service is being supported by Welsh Government Regional Integration Fund investment through the Powys Regional Partnership Board and Start Well Board.