Partnership with Wigan Council recognised at iNetwork Innovation Awards

We were delighted to have our work with Wigan Council to improve children's outcomes recognised at the iNetwork Innovation Awards in Manchester in March. The Transforming & Innovating Public Services Award is presented to organisations that have implemented change for people and places, something that is at the heart of our work with children and young people in Wigan.

A local network of support and opportunities

Young people deserve a support network they recognise in their community designed with their strengths and interests in mind. By mobilising schools, families, and other local organisations in a joined-up early action ecosystem of opportunity, we can overcome the barriers that create inequalities in our places and connect young people to tailored, place-based support that enables them to flourish in their schools and community.

Representing AllChild at the awards was Regional Director Jenny Muter, who said:

"There is such a shared commitment here in Wigan to thinking in innovative ways and working in partnership to provide high quality preventative and early support for children and families.

"We see every day the difference a trusted adult and connected ecosystem makes in supporting children to flourish and are delighted to be having a positive impact in our communities with Team Wigan!"

Results from the first year of our work in Wigan

The role Link Workers play in schools as visible, trusted adults has proven crucial for building constructive relationships and developing emotional resilience. Data from the conclusion of the first year of the two-year programme in Wigan is encouraging: no young people were excluded from school during the first year, and of the 67% of secondary-aged young people who were identified as being ‘at risk’ of exclusion, 63% received no suspensions.

Research from the first year also suggests that preventative early action provides real-world results for young people, with 58% of persistently absent children improving their attendance and 65% improving their emotional wellbeing.

Mobilising community stakeholders through partnership-building

Connecting voluntary bodies, families and other public services with a trusted adult creates a combined network of support and opportunities around children and young people, empowering them to positively shape outcomes. Long-term, strengths-based Social Outcomes Partnerships in the public, private and social sectors with motivated organisations enables a new way of investing in children's futures in our communities and contributes towards a movement for change.

Proactively identifying children and young people who could benefit most from early support and co-designing a tailored plan with them and their families is key to achieving the social, emotional and academic outcomes needed to take on life positively. We are thankful to Bank of America and the National Lottery Community Fund for their continued support and helping us to ensure that every child can flourish.