Councillor praises work of REACH project

A project aimed to help young people “on the edge of care” has been praised by a Perth and Kinross councillor.

Conservative Highland Perthshire councillor John Duff said the council’s REACH project was a “great success story.”

Council officers were providing an update on the project at a virtual meeting of the lifelong learning committee on Wednesday, August 26.

The REACH project provides individualised support to help young people remain in their families, schools and communities, and prevent the need to move to alternative, residential care.

A report presented to the committee said the “longterm aim is to enable young people to flourish within their family and community and to become healthy, resilient and resourceful adults.”

Cllr Duff said: “This innovative service has had an amazing impact on some very vulnerable young people who are either looked after or at risk of going into accommodation and therefore on the edge of care.

“We know that providing external residential care placements are not only expensive but are not the best outcome for the children and young people involved.”

He added: “The REACH project is a great success story for the children, young people and their families.

“Quite rightly, this service is looked upon as an exemplar by other local authorities.

“It has had a significant positive impact on the lives of a large number of young people and families who have found its services both necessary and invaluable.

“Its successful impact owes much to the dedication, hard work and commitment of the team and on behalf of the committee I would like to express our sincere thanks to them all.”