County Council launches new specialist support hub for children and families

Tuesday, 4 November 2025 07:00

West Sussex County Council has launched a new Psychological Hub to deliver earlier and more effective support for children, young people, and families.

The hub unites specialist services under one psychology-led team, ensuring coordinated and timely help.

Based at County Hall North in Horsham, it features therapy pods that provide calm spaces for therapeutic work, with a focus on helping families stay together and supporting children through complex emotional and mental health challenges.

At its heart, the hub brings together two key support areas:

Restore, offering psychologically informed support and interventions for children and families, helping:

Families stay together or reunite when safe to do so.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities who are at risk of school placement breakdown or hospitalisation due to mental health needs.

Children experiencing, self-harm, or mental health conditions that may lead to hospitalisation.

Children displaying harmful behaviours.

Attach, providing specialist psychological support for:

Children in care and care leavers.

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Families in kinship arrangements, where children are cared for by someone they know and trust.

Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This new hub is about hope, healing, and helping children thrive. By bringing together expert services, we’re creating a more joined-up, responsive system that puts the emotional wellbeing of children and families front and centre. It’s an example of our ongoing efforts to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people, ensuring that psychological support is accessible, coordinated, and impactful so that every child can reach their full potential.

“Working collaboratively with social workers, schools, and other professionals, the Psychological Hub reflects our commitment to putting children first and at the heart of everything we do.”

More from Local News

Pulborough man jailed for raping and sexually assaulting nine-year-old boy

In July, 2022, police received a report from Social Services that the victim had been sexually abused by Steven Smith in June of that year.
Unanimous cross-party support in Arun for motion to strengthen local enforcement

Arun District Council has unanimously approved a motion calling for stronger enforcement powers to help protect local standards and improve the wellbeing of residents. The cross-party support reflects what councillors described as a shared determination to respond more effectively to community concerns.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary wins Innovator for Animal Welfare Award at the RSPCA PawPrints Awards 2025

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has won a national award for its Humane Animal Dispatch volunteer scheme.
Hampshire Councillors’ gift registers unchanged for years

Nearly a third of Hampshire’s county councillors have not updated their public register of gifts and hospitality for 2025, with some declarations dating back as far as 2021.
King’s Award for dedicated Eastbourne Area Community First Responders

South East Coast Ambulance Service’s Eastbourne Community First Responder team has been recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour given to a volunteer group in the UK.
Tom finishes epic cycle challenge from Africa to Plumpton in memory of 22-year-old sister

Two best friends are due to complete an epic three-week, 2,600-kilometre cycling challenge today, riding from Morocco back to Plumpton Racecourse near Lewes.
Lively public meeting in Crowborough over plans to house 600 asylum seekers

The Home Office has sought to reassure residents in Crowborough that it can safely and effectively manage proposals to house 600 asylum seekers at the town’s army training camp. The assurance came during a tense public meeting on Thursday evening, where local people voiced strong concerns over community safety, the impact on local services and the scale of the plans.
Reform UK asylum motion rejected

Portsmouth City Council has voted down a Reform UK motion on asylum seekers, saying it was inaccurate and repeated measures already in place.
Two more boys charged in connection with murder of Joshua Ingram in Seaford

Two more teenage boys have been charged as part of a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation into the murder of Joshua Ingram in Seaford.
Public in the South urged to use NHS services wisely as resident doctors take industrial action

People across the South are being urged to use NHS services wisely as resident doctors begin strike action today.