Cradle to Career has improved literacy and tackled inequalities since launching in North Birkenhead four years ago and is now replicating the successful model in Halton and Knowsley. In September 2022, Cradle to Career rolled out the next stage of its ground-breaking programme to Halton Lea (Halton) and Northwood (Knowsley) with funding from Mayor Steve Rotheram, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the Steve Morgan Foundation, SHINE, The National Lottery Community Fund, UBS Optimus Foundation, Bank of America, and A&O Shearman. Newly released impact statistics from across the two boroughs have shown that Cradle to Career has reduced the amount, of early years students requiring moderate or severe support for speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN) by 12%, provided school project interventions to 3,558 primary and secondary pupils, and trained 412 practitioners in literacy/reading, SLCN and social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH). Following Mayor Steve Rotherham’s re-election this month, the planned rollout of Cradle to Career across further boroughs of the Liverpool City Region looks set to come to fruition, as detailed in his election manifesto.
Steve Morgan CBE was one of the first funders and instigators of the multi-millionpound programme through the Steve Morgan Foundation and said: “We knew from the start how impactful Cradle to Career could be for areas of deprivation in the Liverpool City Region. “The results in North Birkenhead and the early stages of Halton and Knowsley speak for themselves – increasing high-ability reading, supporting thousands of pupils with Cradle to Career school initiatives, improving access to family services and funding community-led projects. “Through Cradle to Career, we are building partnerships that put the communities at the heart of local decision-making and increase the chances and quality of life for all.” For press enquiries, please contact chelsea@jaynemooremedia.com I 0151 236 2879 Elizabeth Hartley, director for children, families and education at Wirral Council is proud of what Cradle to Career has done for North Birkenhead and beyond: “Pioneering this place-based change programme over four years ago has been a gamechanger for Wirral Council; by working collectively we have been able to break down barriers between residents and services to make real social change. “It’s a credit to our multi-disciplinary teams in North Birkenhead that the Combined Authority can now expand Cradle to Career to improve the lives of families across the Liverpool City Region.” As part of its delivery in Halton and Knowsley, Cradle to Career has appointed Youth Offer partners to provide essential resources such as youth clubs and support networks for the boroughs.
Lianne McGinnes, deputy chief executive of Sports Alive, which is providing detached youth work in Halton Lea, says: “Working with Cradle to Career to deliver our youth offer means we can make a real difference to young people in Halton Lea by providing essential support and resources that are sadly lacking across the country. “Our detached youth work team will utilise our newly converted mobile youth truck to engage young people in the areas they currently access, including identified antisocial behaviour hotspots.” Cradle to Career has also funded Hallwood Park Primary School in Runcorn’s first school library, opened by Mayoress Valerie Hill. Speaking about the difference the new library will make to her children, interim head teacher at Hallwood Park Primary School and Nursery,
Gemma Snell, said: “Having the funding to provide the children of Hallwood Park with such a wonderful space has been transformational to our school and the children we serve.