Case studies

Rotherham Council has developed an early years education and childcare strategy to raise awareness of this important stage of development in a child’s life and ensure oversight of the identified priorities for the borough, with a particular focus on early identification of need.

Using the Chatterbug programme in Knowsley; an area with one of the lowest educational attainment outcomes in England, to address speech, language and communication challenges, referrals to speech therapy services reduced by ninety percent in two years.

The project was designed to enhance the sessions already run at the Children’s Centres by providing extra resources, equipment and activities.

Gloucestershire have implemented a transition panel process at Year 11 to target support for those schools that have the greatest percentage of students at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training.

'Cooking with Friends’ is a Merton Council project aimed at providing care leavers with the opportunity to learn new skills in the kitchen, make new friends and socialise over food. This space provides young people with a chance to create a peer support network, learn life skills and have their say. Those who attend receive a cookbook each session and a voucher of their choice for continuous engagement.

Nottingham’s new central library opened in November 2023. The redevelopment of the site enabled an immersive early years space to be created, alongside a craft/activity room, exhibition space and engaging children’s library.

Following feedback from some of Barnet’s 400+ care experienced young people aged 14 and over (many of whom are unaccompanied asylum seekers), Barnet Council recently extended the support it offers, launching a “service for life” through its Local Offer and at the dedicated Onwards and Upwards Young People’s Centre.

City of York’s public health team recognised that the children in asylum-seeking families had often missed out on routine vaccinations. When other parts of Yorkshire experienced measles outbreaks, the team worked with local partners to prevent an outbreak in York’s migrant population.

The £5 million Ministry of Justice programme (2022) used sport to enhance positive outcomes for vulnerable young people in the context of youth crime.

This special mention recognises their innovative use of Assistive Technology (AT) to help children, young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families, access timely and efficient care solutions.