Title

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

£200m for next round of innovation programme

Hundreds of millions of pounds will be invested to support vulnerable children and families, the education secretary announced yesterday.

Hundreds of millions of pounds will be invested to support vulnerable children and families, the education secretary announced yesterday.

Nicky Morgan said £200m will go into the Government's Children's Social Care Innovation programme to fund proposals aimed at helping troubled children and young people.

Councils have been urged to come up with creative plans for helping struggling youngsters in their areas, with the best schemes given a slice of the £200m.

Ms Morgan said: ‘We know children flourish when they are supported by leaders who have been given the freedom to translate their expertise, passion and drive into providing life-changing support. 

‘That's why we're inviting charities and councils to come forward with their most creative ideas to transform the lives of those most in need because no ambition can be too great when it comes to transforming children's life chances.'

The new investment follows the first round of the innovation programme - announced in 2014 - which gave £100m to more than 50 programmes across the country.

Children and families minister Edward Timpson, who spent 10 years as a family barrister and whose own family fostered more than 90 children, said: ‘I know from my time at the Bar and my experience of fostering that when it comes to supporting our most vulnerable young people there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.

‘That's why we are calling on councils and professionals to continue digging deep, thinking radically and doing whatever it takes to find new and better ways of delivering for our most vulnerable children.'

 

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

A system for success

By Heather Jameson | 23 December 2025

Luton Council’s bold 2040 vision prioritises jobs, homes and safety. Heather Jameson talks to chief executive Mark Fowler about taking a systems-based approa...

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Regeneration: Tenacity, not tenure: keeping a long-term project on track

By Nick Eveleigh | 23 December 2025

Delivering a new train station in Chelmsford has been a decades-long project. Nick Eveleigh reflects on the long-term nature of delivering what really matter...

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Giving the public a seat at the table on AI decision

By Kathy Peach | 19 December 2025

Nesta’s research proves that when people are given more context about specific AI tools and their use cases, the public’s fears about AI can transform into m...

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Investing in homes that work for councils and residents

By Josie Parsons | 19 December 2025

Delivering homes that are financially sustainable and socially valuable is a priority that’s becoming increasingly challenging. Housing investment discussion...

Popular articles by William Eichler