The Children's Hub is the first point of contact for anyone who has a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person who lives in Stockton-on-Tees. The Children's Hub is delivered in partnership with, and managed by, Hartlepool Borough Council.
The Families First nationally mandated reforms for children’s services and the strategic direction of both Hartlepool Borough Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council means the current approach is not consistent with the future direction of children’s services for both Authorities. In June 2025 Cabinet endorsed the disaggregation of Stockton’s Children’s Safeguarding Front Door from Hartlepool. This paper serves as an update and a request for the delegated safeguarding functions to be returned to Stockton-on-Tees.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;
Decision status: For Determination
Notice of proposed decision first published: 06/01/2026
Decision Type: Executive (Cabinet);
Decision due: 9 Feb 2026 by Cabinet
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
Lead director: Director of Children's Services
Department: Children's Services
Contact: Aishah Waithe Email: [email protected].
Consultation process
Meetings with partners involved in the current Children’s Hub arrangements Partnership meetings supported by the Department of Education The Families First Partnership Board
Consultees
The Children and Young People’s Partnership Hartlepool Borough Council Cleveland Police Integrated Care Board (ICB) Tees Esk Wear Valley Trust Harrogate District Foundation Trust Education Partners Commissioned Domestic Abuse Services
Making Representations: aishah.waithe@stockton.gov.uk
Notes/Comments: An EPIA has been completed and quality assured for the process, details of which are included in the Cabinet report.