The first years of life are critical to a child's lifelong health, educational attainment and life opportunities. We must maintain a relentless focus on prevention and that means from birth onwards. Important work from @childofthenorth.bsky.social n8research.org.uk/one-in-three-c…

We urgently need a whole system response to address the multifaceted root causes of school absence. Our latest analysis highlights a persisting attendance crisis, with inequalities related to poverty and disadvantage becoming entrenched. Read on for insights and recommendations 👇 #ChildrenFirst

For week 8 of our #ChildrenFirst campaign, we're talking oral health New gov policies reflect evidence from Child of the North and @cfyounglives.bsky.social and offer optimism, but there is still much to do Social inequalities must be addressed so that no child is left behind Cont. in comments

We’ve joined 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.

We’ve published a new report setting out a framework for the Government to ensure that its Best Start Family Hubs are effectively delivered and meet the needs of those children and families who need them most. www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

A new Child of the North report finds that the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is facing a worsening crisis that is putting the UK on the brink of national emergency. www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article... @n8research.bsky.social @cfyounglives.bsky.social glives.bsky.social

The last four weeks have been a shocking and often infuriating insight into how Government failed so many children during a national time of crisis. www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

Today’s DfE stats on pupil absence show a welcome fall in persistent absence, but another increase in severe absence. Pupils eligible for free school means remain over three and half times more likely to be severe absentees than those not eligible.

👩‍👩‍👦 | NEW REPORT: Families, teachers and professionals all agree: the SEND system isn’t working. Our latest report shows how we can move towards an education system that works for every child. Read here: www.ippr.org/articles/breaking-the-cycle-send-reform

🚨 | NEW BLOG: The government’s new Young Futures Hubs could transform support for young people — but only if they meet the needs of girls and young women. Our new blog with @cfyounglives.bsky.social & @agenda-alliance.bsky.social explores how to make that happen. www.ippr.org/articles/mee...

Young Futures, the government's "Sure Start for Teenagers" programme, could transform outcomes for girls and young women. Together with @agenda-alliance.bsky.social and @ippr.org we've set out how to break down the barriers facing girls and young women. ippr.org/articles/mee...

Interesting panel on the power of sport by @eplscores.bsky.social and @cfyounglives.bsky.social - importance of sport in community identity and belonging, and the role of skills learning, freedom of play & trusting relationships with adults

“We know the evidence, we know what works, let’s take action”. That was the message from young experts by experience at the Labour Party conference this week, where we co-hosted a session as part of the #FutureMinds campaign with @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social YoungMinds and @cfyounglives.bsky.social

Learn more about our latest report and campaign in collaboration with @cfyounglives.bsky.social www.n8research.org.uk/child-of-the...

The afternoon session at the National Opportunity Summit has begun, with 12 academics from across the N8+ presenting key findings and tried & tested local solutions to improve outcomes for children and young people @cfyounglives.bsky.social @choral-research.bsky.social #NatOppSummit #ChildrenFirst

The latest data shows that young people's mental health is in major decline. Inaction is not an option. Alongside @cfyounglives.bsky.social @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social & Young Minds, we're calling for rapid and sustained investment to turn the tide: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications...

👉 New report from @cfyounglives.bsky.social ‪exposes the scale and nature of childhood vulnerability in England in 2025. Read more shorturl.at/BAnhJ

Pleased to see the Creativity and Culture Report featured in Schools Week. The insights and messages it highlights remain just as vital today as ever! @n8research.bsky.social, @cfyounglives.bsky.social, @childofthenorth.bsky.social schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-creat...

New research that ‘shines a spotlight on the millions of children growing up with vulnerabilities in England’ shows the need for joined-up action from government, says @cfyounglives.bsky.social founder @annelongfield.bsky.social

The new report by @cfyounglives.bsky.social reveals how many measures of vulnerability like poverty, children’s mental health, Special Educational Needs, school attendance, and the number of children going into social care have worsened and continued to hold children back since the pandemic.

Our research published last week shows how the Covid pandemic is still casting a long shadow over the lives of many children in England. t.co/FHpqjTlzcj

The commitments to improving support for children and young people with mental health problems in the 10YP plan and PM’s speech are welcome. The focus on early intervention is long overdue. The Govt must now invest in and reform children's mental health support.

Prof Debbie Watson @profdebw.bsky.social teams up with Baroness Anne Longfield, Executive Chair of Centre for Young Lives, on #BBCWomansHour to promote the creation of more outdoor spaces for children to play and grow!🌳✨ @cfyounglives.bsky.social Listen again at 49.06 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Prof Simon James. We were privileged that he agreed to lead our report with @cfyounglives.bsky.social on Arts & Creativity, which he did with enormous passion and skill. You can read the full report here: www.n8research.org.uk/research-foc...

Today our year-long Raising the Nation Play Commission into why play is critical to the wellbeing and development of children publishes its Final Report, #EverythingToPlayFor. It’s time to reclaim childhood with a National Play Strategy for England. www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

The Raising the Nation Play Commission publishes its final report tomorrow. Children’s voices have been crucial to our work. We asked children from Surrey Square Primary to help us imagine the future of play in England. youtu.be/QJWQxIPtm0w?...

This was one of our top ten asks of the new govt a year ago. We've repeated that call in two other reports since. It’s a welcome decision and an important step forward that will help 1000s of children.

Scrapping the cruel and unfair two child limit immediately lifts children out of poverty. “Rebadged” press releases don’t pay bills, and decisions should be based on boosting life chances and reducing barriers to success, not “political capital”. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Leeds showed what’s possible when people unite for inclusive education. From real talk to bold ideas, stop two of Ambitious About Inclusion was full of heart. Next: Portsmouth 📍 Six more stops with @cfyounglives.bsky.social – be part of the change. 👉 www.preventingexclusions.com/get-involved...

I couldn’t agree more! I was discussing with @simonknight100.bsky.social about the need for a definition of inclusion! I find this report to be genuinely hopeful- a fresh approach, honest and thoughtful. Thank you @cfyounglives.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/tesm...

To create a genuinely inclusive school system, the government needs a definition of what inclusion looks like in practice – that’s why @cfyounglives.bsky.social has come up with one, writes executive chair Anne Longfield

Insightful, timely and hopeful report. Particularly drawn to the concept of ‘inclusion by design’ - inclusion shouldn’t be a bandwagon, a commercial enterprise or the latest fad, but a lever for social justice baked into the whole system.

Today we publish “Everyone Included: Transforming our education system to be ambitious about inclusion”, supported by Mission 44. We put forward a new definition of inclusion and provide an overall inclusion score for each council area in England. www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

Last year we published research showing the impact poverty can have on school attendance. Cutting the cost of uniform is one way of supporting parents on the lowest incomes. We heard from parents who were struggling to afford multiple school branded items.

Big thank you to @StMartinsPSGCC for hosting us and @cfyounglives.bsky.social It was brilliant to see your commitment to play, equity, inclusion and community. Loved hearing about sensory play, seeing impressive woodworking and how diversity is truly celebrated. #MorePlayPlease #PlayEveryday

So proud to be working with Mission 44 on this fantastic project. Take a look 👇

‘Creativity, culture and opportunity’ I made a short film for this brilliant launch event @cfyounglives.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ByG...

School-ready pupils target ‘at risk’ because of funding cuts for children’s centres and Family Hubs - @cfyounglives.bsky.social More from @ramshodgson.bsky.social @tesmagazine.bsky.social buff.ly/mZVBkqf #education #educationnews

The government risks missing its target of ensuring that three-quarters of young children are school-ready by 2028 because of expected funding cuts for family support centres, warns @cfyounglives.bsky.social

We welcome the case made by @cfyounglives.bsky.social‬ for increased investment in joined-up early years support. Evidence-based, high-quality & integrated early years services will be vital if the government's vision to "break down barriers to opportunity" is to become reality.

NEW report from @cfyounglives.bsky.social on delivering joined-up place-based support for children & families through Family Hubs. It makes the case for scaling up investment to reach more children & to deliver the Government’s Opportunity Mission 👇 www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

Today we’ve published new FOI request data from 80% of local authorities in England showing nearly half of councils report cuts to their budgets for children’s centres and Family Hubs between 2023/24 and 2024/25. t.co/ImYpfwtIkp

Our Executive Chair Baroness Longfield spoke to Radio 4’s Westminster Hour last night about why we need to do much more to protect children online. Full interview below. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

If you have a few minutes to spare, please give this powerful film from Truud a watch. Many children don’t have access to the kind of spaces they would love to play in. youtu.be/RdWdhoiaI5M?... #RaisingTheNation #PlayCommission

Record high child poverty is a crisis. Shameful but also counterproductive to opportunity/growth. The disadvantages are known - talent is wasted and life chances reduced. The Govt's Child Poverty Strategy must be transformational and tackle the immediate crisis and root causes.

🎭 A £150m ‘arts premium fund’ should be set up to develop the primary school workforce to put creativity and the expressive arts ‘at the heart’ of the curriculum, say @cfyounglives.bsky.social and @childofthenorth.bsky.social

What a day at our first Ambitious About Inclusion event in London!🙌 Huge thanks to everyone who joined and pledged to advance inclusion.💫 We’re hosting seven more Ambitious About Inclusion events around the country in partnership with @cfyounglives.bsky.social📸 #PreventExclusions #LostLearning

Our report with Child of the North published today calls for creativity to be embedded into an inclusive school curriculum to develop a new generation of creatives to boost economic growth. www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

Our new report - led by @n8research.bsky.social and @healthequitynorth.bsky.social and @annelongfield.bsky.social's @cfyounglives.bsky.social - warns the talents of millions of children are being ignored and calls for creativity to be embedded into an inclusive school curriculum tinyurl.com/2eca46yb

Great to see the launch of the #PlayCommission this week showing the value of play for wellbeing. Our GCR last year called for the Government to ‘let children play’ 🎈