Ed Balls opens Hackney Ark

Secretary of State Ed Balls opened Hackney Ark today

Schools secretary Ed Balls today opened Hackney Ark.

He said, “Hackney Ark will be beneficial to parents of disabled children as it concentrates disabled children’s services in one building, whereas previously they have been spread out across the borough.”

The Ark aims to improve the experience of children and young people with disabilities – providing a more co-ordinated and accessible service for service users and their families.

The Ark will bring together three agencies: NHS City and Hackney Community Health Services, The Learning Trust and the London Borough of Hackney.

Ed Balls arrived at Hackney Ark and was greeted by Jane Winder, Chair of NHS City and Hackney before being introduced to Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, Tim Shields, Chief Executive of  the borough, Cllr Rita Krishna, Lead Member Overview & Scrutiny, Alan Wood , Chief Executive of the Learning Trust, and Jacqui Harvey ,Chief Executive NHS City and Hackney.

The Secretary of State was then given a tour of the Ark and was introduced to staff from health, education and social care, and met some parents of the children and young people who use the centre.

Together with Jules Pipe, the Mayor of Hackney, Mr Balls cut the ribbon to officially open the centre, which has been in use since March, and met Paralympic hopeful Dervis Konuralp.

Jules Pipe hailed The Ark as “a fantastic example of how we will not allow any children to be left behind.”