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Sefton Council is rolling out pioneering new methods to support families of vulnerable children following a successful bid for Government funding.

Sefton is one of 15 local authorities to be awarded a share of £84m of new Department for Education innovation funding, which will help to reduce the number of children entering care by improving family stability.

Adopting the Family Valued model used so successfully by Leeds Council, Sefton and its partners  will work with families to encourage long term changes to keep children safe.

The new project will see families receive person centred care and support at every step as strong relationships are fostered between workers and families.

These close relationships will mean that issues such as addiction, domestic violence and mental health can be tackled as they arise, creating a more stable environment for children.

 Cllr. John Joseph Kelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding, said:

“The funding from the DfE will be a catalyst for our family centred approach to supporting children at risk – adopting the Family Valued model represents an opportunity to make a lasting difference to those children by supporting their family units.”

Find out more about Strengthening Families and its projects across the UK at the Government website

Sefton Council is working with local colleges to support young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) into full time employment.

The Supported Internships programme, delivered in partnership with Hugh Baird College and Southport College, links young people with local employers to help them gain vital experience of the workplace.

The borough now far exceeds the national average for people with SEND in full time employment.

Now in its fourth year, Supported Internships helps equip young people for future roles with the aim of securing full time work.

Supported Internships is growing every year, with Mersey Care NHS the latest big organisation to join the programme.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:

“Planning for the future of Sefton and creating economic opportunities has to mean something to everyone in our communities.

“I’m proud to see the Council and local colleges going some way to making this aspiration a reality through Supported Internships. The impact of this programme can’t be overstated. Nationally, among 18-64 year olds with a SEND, 6% are in full time work, for 16-24 year olds with a SEND using supported internships in Sefton, that figure jumps to 31%.

“Supported internships provide young people with vital experience, knowledge and crucially, confidence in the workplace. The internships have not only created full time employment but have also led to a further 48% of young people in full time volunteering roles.

“We’ve always known that young people with a SEND in Sefton have a lot to offer employers and it is brilliant to see that message breaking through as young people and local businesses continue to benefit.”

For more information on Supported Internships and further education opportunities for young people with SEND, visit Sefton’s Local Offer.