This is my last blog as Chair of the ADCS North West Region, and whilst I have loved the role, it’s now time to hand over the reins to my good friend Colette Dutton, the DCS in Wigan.

I wanted to focus on a massive passion of mine, improving children’s mental health, so I am delighted to find the publication of my blog coincides with both Children's Mental Health Week and Time to Talk Day 2025. These national events provide us all with an opportunity to focus on the mental wellbeing of our children and young people, and to encourage open and honest conversations about mental health.

This year, Children's Mental Health Week will take place from 3^rd to 9^th February 2025, with the theme "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself". I encourage us all, as system leaders, to know ourselves and to challenge each other to ensure that the best services and interventions are available to meet the growing complexity of our children’s needs. Hold your own, and your strategic partners’ feet to the fire. I make no apologies for openly saying this but all too often it seems we are letting our children down, taking a siloed approach to commissioning and to service delivery in LAs, across health services, and beyond.

Time to Talk Day, 6^th February, is a day dedicated to encouraging everyone to have open and honest conversations about mental health. Talking about mental health can be difficult, but it is a crucial step towards breaking down stigma and creating a supportive community. Play your part by encouraging frontline practitioners, across the partnership, to take the time to check in with children and young people. A simple conversation can make a world of difference - whether it's a chat over a cup of tea, a walk in the park, or a casual conversation during a car ride…every opportunity to talk about mental health matters.

As an ADCS community, let's make this a point of reflection, growth, and meaningful conversations. Let’s all pull together and embrace these events as an opportunity to amplify children’s mental health needs and the importance of working together cross partnership. Together, we can support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing and help create a brighter future for our children and young people.

To end, I want to say my goodbyes to my ADCS Council of Reference colleagues, but I am sure I will still see many of you around – it’s been a blast.