New lobby group formed

Independent providers of residential child care agreed to set up
a consolidated body to lobby government about their concerns,
following a meeting at Community Care LIVE.

Mary Walsh, director of independent child care agency Saccs,
said: “I really think it’s important that we stand together now. We
have to get together as a strong body because we have the knowledge
of the needs of children.”

The group will voice common anxieties that it wants to see
addressed at a national level including care standards,
contracting, and the independent sector’s lack of involvement in
policy making.

Providers at the meeting included Task Team, Bryn Melyn, Five
Rivers and Priory Services for Young People.