Hong Tan, Head of Health in the Justice System at NHS England London, has become one of two UK representatives for the international EU- PROMISE (Promoting child-friendly multi-disciplinary and interagency services) programme.

PROMISE brings 15 European countries together to commit to developing and implementing child-friendly, multidisciplinary and inter-agency services for child victims and witnesses of violence including sexual abuse.

Hong, who represents both the Department of Health and NHS England in this initiative, said: “I’m honoured to be part of this initiative, which aims to place children’s rights and protection at the heart of all we do. This programme is the first of its kind, where organisations across sectors and borders work together to provide earlier support to stop trauma for children and to improve health and justice outcomes.”

PROMISE representatives met for the first time in Zagreb, Croatia, in early February to discuss the Barnahus (Children’s House) model, and similar care models such as the Children’s Advocacy Centres. These models work by bringing together health services, social care, third sector organisations, the police and courts to place children’s needs at the heart of care when they have become victims of trauma including sexual abuse.

NHS England (London) has commissioned services in London based on the Child House model, with a new Children’s centre being opened at the Havens near Kings College Hospital later this year. This will pilot some services that eventually will be delivered from Child Houses.

If you would like more information about the PROMISE programme, visit www.childcentre.info/promise/.

To find out more about Hong and his team’s work, please email NHS England London media team at england.lsmedia@nhs.net or call 020 3182 4984.