A new service supporting vulnerable children in the borough has been officially launched by the Mayor of Dudley.

Councillor David Stanley was on hand to cut the ribbon at Dudley Lighthouse Links, which is based in Stourbridge Road in Dudley. The new service will seek to improve the emotional health and wellbeing of children who are looked after, as well as those who are leaving care settings.

It will seek to help them engage in meaningful relationships, participate positively in the community, take advantage of opportunities in education and learning and benefit from living within a stable care placement. It has come about as a result of a partnership between Dudley Council, the NHS and Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group. Councillor David Stanley, the Mayor of Dudley, said:

"I was delighted to formally open the Dudley Lighthouse Links. Supporting our most vulnerable children has got to be a priority for us all, and I am sure this will prove to be a vital facility and service to help us do that.

"Dudley Lighthouse Links is not a crisis or emergency access service – young people have to be referred to the service by social workers or medical professionals."

Children with emotional and mental health difficulties who are looked after by the local authority and live within a 20-mile radius of Dudley are eligible to use the service. They must be aged under 18 in a permanent care setting or up to 25 for care leavers.

Referral forms are available at dudleycpp.org.uk/dudleylighthouselinks.