Children and Young People Pathfinder - Supported Systems

Overview

The commissioned activity relates to the development of child sexual abuse (CSA) systems and pathways across the South West region, building on work already undertaken to strengthen local responses to children and young people affected by CSA. The project responds to the recognised need for improved coordination, accessibility and consistency of services across health, justice, safeguarding and voluntary sector systems. Current arrangements vary across the region, creating challenges in service accessibility, workforce confidence, governance arrangements and multi-agency working. The organisation undertaking this work is the Bluestar Project (a Community Interest Company, in partnership with The Green House charity). The project aims to improve coordination, accessibility and consistency of responses to children and young people affected by CSA across health, justice, safeguarding and voluntary sector services. The work will include needs assessments, service mapping, workforce development, governance and pathway improvement, and the promotion of trauma-informed, CPS-compliant practice. Children, young people and families will be involved through co-production activities. Bluestar will build on existing work in Swindon & Wiltshire and Dorset and undertake further systems development activity, including sequential needs assessments in Devon & Cornwall and Gloucestershire, to identify service gaps and opportunities for improvement. At the heart of this programme is a simple aim: to support sustainable, system-wide change so that every child who experiences sexual abuse can access a timely, compassionate, and coordinated response. Achieving this requires more than new services - it demands equipping the children's workforce across all agencies with the skills, confidence, and structures to act together, and embedding a culture of listening, believing, and responding. By laying these foundations, the programme enables to move beyond fragmented provision towards lasting, joined-up systems of care. The Bluestar Project also led national development of pre-trial therapy guidance, training and accreditation, working alongside the police and CPS. This has been rolled out nationally.