New complex needs hub to support young people in Warrington
Monday, 7 April 2025
Warrington Borough Council and health leaders have officially opened a new Complex Needs Hub in the town which will provide valuable support for young people with mental health needs.
The new hub is the first of its kind in Warrington. It will provide holistic and coordinated multi-disciplinary assessments and plans, informing intensive, family-centred support for some of the borough’s most vulnerable young people.
It has been created by extending, refurbishing, and adapting former council-owned charity offices and an adjacent garage site to deliver a high quality, welcoming environment for young people and staff.
Its primary purpose is to enable more children and young people with complex needs to remain safely at home and within their communities, effectively preventing avoidable admissions to care.
The need for specialist accommodation for children and adults has increased significantly over the past decade, leading to rising costs for external providers and substantial budgetary pressures on the council. The hub will deliver budgetary efficiencies while significantly enhancing the experience and quality of care for young people.
Providing care and support directly within the council’s remit offers numerous benefits, allowing for closer monitoring and improvement of children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing, and enabling them to remain within their own communities rather than being placed out-of-borough.
Jointly commissioned by Warrington Borough Council and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, the hub will be delivered in partnership with Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Deputy Leader of the Council and cabinet member for children, families and education, Cllr Jean Flaherty, said:
“It’s fantastic to be celebrating the official opening of this new hub, which will help us better meet the needs of a small but complex cohort of children and young people and change lives.
“By providing a coordinated and intensive offer, we can help improve young people’s mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, and support their successful transition into adulthood. This collaborative approach, working with our health partners, will ensure these young people receive the best possible care.”
Carl Marsh, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Place Director for Warrington, said:
“We’re committed to working alongside our partners to make sure our residents have the best possible care in the most appropriate place for their needs and the opening of this new hub is a fantastic example of that.”
Cllr John Kerr-Brown, Cabinet Member for housing services, added:
“We recognise the importance of providing appropriate housing solutions for all residents. This hub supports our work to ensure we have the right type of accommodation for everyone to live as happily, healthily, and independently as possible across all our communities.
“By delivering residential care in a home-based setting, with immediate access to support from on-site professionals working within the hub, this project will deliver a vital resource for young people with complex needs.”