Child of the North and Centre for Young Lives (COTN/CfYL): A country that works for all children and young people

This report series, produced by the Child of the North and Centre for Young Lives, outlines practical, evidence-based methods in which the government can reset its vision for children and young people across the UK.  We’re urging an adoption of a ‘Child First Government’ to tackle the ever-growing crisis CYP face – millions of children experiencing poverty & hardship, increasing number of children in care, stubborn exams attainment gaps, lack of further education progression, children entering the education system not ‘school ready’ and a mental health and wellbeing crisis. NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber researchers have contributed to the reports, in collaboration with the Centre for Applied Education Research.

1. An evidence-based plan for addressing the autism assessment and support crisis

The first report reveals a crisis in autism assessments where autistic children and young people are having to wait months, or even years, to receive the necessary health and education support.  To tackle the assessment crisis, it was recommended to replace the ‘diagnosis-led’ system with a ‘needs-led’ system, allowing for early identification and faster effective support offered to autistic CYP. By providing the necessary and adequate autism support, we can tackle poor long-term outcomes such as, increased prevalence of connected conditions (mental ill health) and greater risk of school exclusion or not attending school, that autistic children commonly experience when not offered the right support.

2. An evidence-based plan for addressing poverty with and through education settings

The second report outlines a plan to tackle child poverty and its negative effects on children’s education, health, and future employment. Schools were highlighted as support tools for children living in poverty and thus, we urge the government to support schools to reduce the problems of poverty within and beyond the classroom.  Existing initiatives that have had positive impacts and helped to alleviate child poverty were highlighted within the report, as well as the important roles universities can play in increasing attainment of children in their local areas.

3. Improving mental health and wellbeing with and through educational settings

The third report aims to improve children’s mental health through schools.  A national epidemic of children’s mental health problems demonstrates the need to utilise schools to reach large numbers of children and facilitate interventions with pupils that display early mental health or behaviour symptoms.  The report calls for an expansion of mental health support offered through schools and educational settings, creation of a network of online NHS information hubs and addressing the workforce crisis in educational psychology.

4. An evidence-based plan to build the foundations of a new ‘Sure Start’ in and around education settings

The fourth report reveals an updated model of Sure Start that puts schools and nurseries at its heart.  Schools are often the first call when families need help and have connections to organisations that can provide support. However, funding for Sure Start has decreased by over two-thirds between 2010-20 and so many disadvantaged areas are unable to be reached. We ask the government to develop national strategy that places schools at the heart of connected and co-delivered services for children and families. Schools play a crucial role in building strong communities and so forward thinking is needed to introduce around the country.

5. An evidence-based plan for supporting physical activity and healthy nutrition with and through education settings

The fifth report highlights the broken school food system, and calls for schools to be supported to tackle the child obesity crisis. Schools are crucial environments for the encouragement and empowerment of healthy eating and physical activity and are essential to improve educational, health and wellbeing outcomes for CYP. This report urges the government to establish whole-school approaches for physical activity and healthy nutrition, support schools to deliver an ethos where the health and wellbeing of pupils is central to teaching practises & wider school environment and to work alongside local higher education institutes to draw on research expertise. Widening the entitlement of free school meals was also recommended.

6. An evidence-based plan for addressing the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment and support crisis

The sixth report showcases evidence revealing the scale of the crisis facing many children and young people with SEN(D). Families are waiting years for assessments and so an evidence-based plan was put forward to tackle the poor identification of SEN(D), postcode lottery of EHC plans, and reducing the number of children not receiving the support needed to fulfil their potential.  A series of recommendations were outlined to cut the long-term costs of not acting early enough, including using holistic measures of child development to identify pupils with increased likelihood of having SEN(D), improve and extend training for professionals and families and, connect systems more effectively to ensure earlier identification and appropriate support.

7. An evidence-based plan for upskilling our children and young people for digital futures

The seventh report puts forward new proposals aiming to close the digital divide that millions of children experience in the UK, enabling them to navigate digital content critically and responsibly. A significant portion of children in the UK lack access to digital skills and resources and this will have a profound impact on employment and future economies.  As outlined in the report we ask the government to establish a ‘minimum digital living standards’ framework, enhance digital inclusivity in schools through CPD for educators and create a national digital creativity ‘skills common’.

8. An evidence-based plan for improving children’s oral health with and through educational settings

The eighth report highlights the oral health crisis in England and outlines a series of new proposals to tackle the millions of children suffering from tooth decay. With tooth decay the most common reason for hospital admissions in 5-9-years-olds the report outlines the new government to develop and implement a national child oral health improvement strategy. The strategy includes, reducing sugar consumption through policy action, applying restrictions on food marketing, advertising, and promotions, banning the sale of caffeinated energy drinks to under-16-year-olds and optimising exposure to fluoride. Dental services need to be re-orientated towards prevention of dental disease among CYP.

9. An evidence-based approach to supporting children in the preschool years

The ninth report makes a series of proposals to tackle the increasing number of children starting school ‘not ready’ and the early years childcare provision crisis. Decisive action from the government is needed including investment in early childhood education programmes, improvements and extended training opportunities for professionals and families and connecting systems more effectively through shared information.

10. An evidence-based plan for improving school attendance

The tenth report calls on the new Government to focus its school absence strategy on earlier identification and intervention with children most at risk of persistent absence. The report highlights the growing absence crisis, with over 150,000 children in England missing half or more of their time at school. The reasons for absence are multifaceted, encompassed by many factors including, inequality, deprivation, and marginalisation. Recommendations such as enhancing early intervention for children at risk of absence, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity in schools and developing cross-service collaboration for holistic support, were outlined in the report.

11. An evidence-based plan for addressing childhood vulnerability, crime and justice

The eleventh report sets out an evidence-based plan to protect and support the thousands of vulnerable children in England at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. Children and young people involved in the criminal justice system often share similar experiences of childhood adversity, poverty, unmet SEND, neglect and mental ill health and thus targeted action is necessary to divert children and young people away from criminal exploitation and harm. A series of recommendations, aligning with the governments Opportunity Mission and Young Futures plan were put forward. These included a holistic and coordinated whole system approach utilising public services, addressing children’s underlying vulnerabilities and disadvantages and creating diversion schemes for children, young people, their families, and communities to keep young people out of the criminal justice system.

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