A PROGRAMME aimed at tackling inequality in deprived families across Merseyside has won a national award.

Cradle to Career, launched in North Birkenhead in 2021, was named Collaborative Initiative of the Year at the Institute of Economic Development (IED) Awards.

The programme, which brings together more than 50 funding and delivery partners, has been praised for improving literacy and reducing the need for care services.

It is now expanding to Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, and St Helens.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: "We are absolutely delighted that our partnership with Right to Succeed has been recognised with this award.

"The Cradle to Career programme is an outstanding example of how we can work together to improve the lives of children and young people.

"This initiative is about creating long-lasting change, breaking down barriers and giving every child in the Liverpool City Region the best possible start in life, regardless of their background."

Created by a partnership between Right to Succeed and Wirral Council, and funded by the Steve Morgan Foundation, Cradle to Career has significantly improved literacy standards among children.

It has also provided families with easy access to necessary support and created more opportunities for local children and young people.

As a result, North Birkenhead has seen a 20 per cent reduction in re-referrals to social care, and a more than 500 per cent increase in Families Matters case closures.

The area has also seen the highest uptake of the Early Years 30 hours weekly entitlement across Wirral.

Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) joint inspections have praised the multidisciplinary team as highly effective, and encouraged the council to expand the programme.

Charlotte Ledley, Cradle to Career Liverpool City Region programme director for Halton and Knowsley, said: "We are so pleased that the Cradle to Career programme has been recognised for taking a collaborative approach to supporting children and young people.

"This approach would not be possible without the strong partnerships we have in place with stakeholders at the heart of the communities we serve, and partners that understand the needs of their areas and have a clear vision of the change they wish to see."