HCRG Care Group awarded contract extension to continue delivering Essex keyworker service
HCRG Care Group is proud to have been selected to continue delivering the Keyworker Service, now known as the Dynamic Support Register Keyworker Service, for residents of Southend, Essex and Thurrock for at least three more years.
The service, commissioned by Southend, Essex and Thurrock Transforming Care Partnership, provides crucial community-based support for children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities.
The contract, which was renewed on April 1, highlights the consistently positive impact that HCRG Care Group has had on the families, children and young people who rely on this vital non-clinical service.
Since first taking on the contract in 2023, HCRG Care Group has worked in close partnership with the Essex Alliance (representing the three Parent Carer Forums in the area), the Multi-Schools Council and system partners including the integrated care boards and local authorities, to ensure that the service meets the needs of the individuals and families it supports.
The service is nationally mandated and locally designed to support children and young people, aged 0-25, with complex needs who are at the highest risk of being admitted to hospital for their mental health. Its goal is to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and support those who do need a hospital stay to return home as soon as possible to their trusted support network.
Pat Birchall, CEO, HCRG Care Group, said: “We’re thrilled to continue delivering this service. Receiving this contract renewal is a testament to the hard work of our team and the positive feedback we’ve received from families and carers. We’re committed to maintaining consistency in the care and support we provide while always looking for opportunities to improve and evolve our service.”
HCRG Care Group will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that children and their families continue to benefit from this community-based support, focusing on empowering CYP and their families and ensuring continuity of care.
Becca King, Integrated Learning Disability/Autism Health Commissioner, said: “The Learning Disabilities/Autism Health Equalities Team are thrilled to be in partnership again with HCRG Care Group in the delivery of the Dynamic Support Register Keyworker Service. Their success as the preferred bidder following a rigorous and robust procurement process demonstrated their thorough understanding of what the children, young people and families of Southend, Essex and Thurrock need from this vital service and is a well-earned recognition of the compassion and impact achieved to date by the workforce.”
HCRG Care Group also runs the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service, in partnership with Barnardo’s. Operating since 2017 and rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, the service is dedicated to ensuring families have easy access to community-based health services.
For more information about the Dynamic Support Register Keyworker Service and the work HCRG Care Group is doing to support children and young people in Essex, visit the website here.
