KEY figures came together to launch a support a programme designed to tackle systemic socio-economic inequality for young people.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza launched the AllChild’s community programme, that will involve 250 children in seven schools.

The tailored programmes provide dedicated Link Workers and new opportunities to build social, emotional, and academic skills, with the ambition to reduce child mental health referrals, absenteeism, and school suspensions AllChild works in neighbourhoods of higher-than-average socio-economic inequality and provides a dedicated, trusted adult for each child called a Link Worker, who works directly with families, teachers, and local organisations to deliver a tailored plan for every child to help them build their social, emotional, and academic skills.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, commented: “We know that a whole person approach led by local communities is the most effective way of creating positive change. We are excited to welcome this new partnership with AllChild, using a child centred model that provides wrap-around care to children and families in Wigan. This will use the strengths of the local community to give children and young people here the opportunities and skills they need to flourish.”

AllChild chief executive Louisa Mitchell MBE said: “We are delighted to be launching our first out-of-London model in Wigan. Mayor Andy Burnham and Wigan Council’s vision for children and young people is truly inspiring. AllChild’s community-led model of support and opportunity, working alongside families, schools, and the Early Help service, is strongly aligned with this vision. We share their commitment to ‘people, prevention and place’ and to taking an approach that focuses on building trusted relationships and an evidence base over time to make the case for early action with children and families.”

The first programmes, which will involve 250 children in seven schools, were co-designed with Wigan Council, Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, local community organisations, and local schools. They will have a specific focus on helping to address key local priorities of reducing child mental health referrals, persistent absenteeism, and school suspensions and exclusions.

Councillor Jenny Bullen, cabinet member for children’s services at Wigan Council, said: “Our Progress with Unity plan sets out two clear missions for the borough, which includes creating fair opportunities for all children and families.

“The move to a whole family approach, to really understanding what is happening in children’s lives – in their families, in school and in the community - is central to our early help and prevention work in Wigan Borough.

"These new Impact Programmes, with the help of AllChild and in partnership with joined-up local public, private and community support services, as well as the communities of Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley themselves, we will be better able to identify and support children and young people before they reach crisis point and give them the opportunities they need to flourish in whatever life they choose.”