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childofthenorth.bsky.social
Child of the North
@childofthenorth.bsky.social
340 followers 150 following 200 posts
Our vision is for children in the North of England to grow up with the same opportunities and life chances as those in the rest of the country.

Child of the North is joint project with the N8 Research Partnership and Health Equity North
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childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our 'How To' Toolkits support practitioners to implement the report recommendations:

Education providers:
www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_H...

Child health services:
www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_H...

Local authorities:
www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_H...

#ChildrenFirst
Arts-based interventions in schools and hospitals offer considerable economic, social and wellbeing value, yet are often viewed as ‘added extras’. Plans to create a culture of opportunity must consider the arts, and include young people in these discussions. Our practitioner toolkits support schools, child health workers and local authorities to implement expert recommendations. We are calling on the government, and everyone, to put children first. #ChildrenFirst
November 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This is an update to our March report which evidenced how cultural activities can provide fantastic opportunities to enrich children’s educational experiences, and nurture skills that are so important to a modern economy.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_A... #ChildrenFirst
Cover for report 12 in the series 'A country that works for all children and young people' entitled 'An evidence-based approach to creating a culture of inclusive opportunity through arts and creativity'.
November 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our latest update highlights how all children need creativity, yet those in the most deprived areas have the fewest opportunities. In England, since 2024, 53% of schools reported that their arts budgets were being reduced further.

Learn more:
www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_A...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover image for the report update - Creating a culture of inclusive opportunity: The arts and creativity can make the difference.
November 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
For our final report update in our #ChildrenFirst campaign we evidence the economic and social value of arts-based
interventions.

Creative arts must not be marginalised at a time when children need them most.

Learn more: www.n8research.org.uk/research-foc...

Cont. in comments 👇
The arts and creativity can help break the link between a child's background and their life chances. The government must prioritise building a country that works for all children and young people. #ChildrenFirst. Featured logos of Child of the North, N8 Research Partnership, Health Equity North and Centre for Young Lives.
November 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
The two-child cap has for too long penalised children. Ending this will not only help struggling families, but offers long-term social and economic benefits.

@alexisdarby.bsky.social explains how arguments used to defend the cap fail against the evidence: www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/blog-why-scr...
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
The end of the two-child cap, announced in the Budget, marks a significant reversal of welfare policy – an essential change.

@alexisdarby.bsky.social's blog addresses misconceptions and outlines the benefits for our economy and those most vulnerable:
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/blog-why-scr...
November 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Ending the two-child cap shows advocacy works. This change will ease poverty for 500,000 children, but systemic issues persist. We’ll push for a coordinated strategy to tackle child poverty and health inequalities.

www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/statements-f...
November 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
For families who have struggled under the two-child restriction, today’s #Budget announcement offers them the chance to build a life free from poverty and deprivation.

Child of the North APPG Chair @emmalewellmp.bsky.social issued a statement on the news www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/statements-f...
November 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This follows on from our 2024 report 'An evidence-based plan for addressing childhood vulnerability, crime and justice' which provides rigorous research and pragmatic, evidence-based recommendations.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CoTN_C...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover for report 11 in the series 'A country that works for all children and young people' entitled 'An evidence-based plan for addressing childhood vulnerability, crime and justice'.
November 21, 2025 at 12:29 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our update shows that disproportionality, regional inequalities, and service gaps have persisted. The recommendations we made in 2024 still require urgent implementation.

Read: www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_C...

@universityofleeds.bsky.social @vp-centre.bsky.social @york.ac.uk #ChildrenFirst
Cover image for the report update - Childhood vulnerability, crime and justice update: Strengthening protection, partnership and prevention.
November 21, 2025 at 12:29 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
For our 11th and penultimate report update in our #ChildrenFirst campaign we highlight how urgent change is needed to address underlying childhood vulnerabilities, to create Safer Streets, reduce crime and meet the government’s Opportunity Mission for children and young people.

A thread 👇
We must strengthen protection and partnerships to support vulnerable children and prevent youth crime. The government must prioritise building a country that works for all children and young people. #ChildrenFirst. Featured logos of Child of the North, N8 Research Partnership, Health Equity North and Centre for Young Lives. The criminal justice system continues to fail vulnerable children. We need a whole-system approach with upstream prevention, early intervention, and coordinated multi-agency support to address the underlying causes of youth crime before children enter the justice system. Our practitioner toolkits support schools, child health workers and local authorities to implement expert recommendations. We are calling on the government, and everyone, to put children first. #ChildrenFirst
November 21, 2025 at 12:29 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This follows on from our 2024 report 'An evidence-based plan for improving school attendance' which provides rigorous research and pragmatic, evidence-based recommendations.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_A...
Cover for report 10 in the series 'A country that works for all children and young people' entitled 'An evidence-based plan for improving school attendance'.
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Read our latest report update 'School attendance update: Urgent improvement required'

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_S...
Cover image for the report update 'School attendance update: Urgent improvement required'.
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
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
We urgently need a whole system response to address the multifaceted root causes of school absence. The government must prioritise building a country that works for all children and young people. #ChildrenFirst. Featured logos of Child of the North, N8 Research Partnership, Health Equity North and Centre for Young Lives. Last year, we described a school attendance crisis following the Covid-19 pandemic. The crisis remains with inequalities related to poverty and disadvantage becoming entrenched. We need a whole system response tailored to localities, and systematic evaluation of what works. Our practitioner toolkits support schools, child health workers and local authorities to implement expert recommendations. We are calling on the government, and everyone, to put children first. #ChildrenFirst
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
On Tuesday, Professor Pam Qualter from @manchester.ac.uk spoke to members of the Child of the North APPG in Parliament. The group discussed her research on child mental health and wellbeing, emphasising the importance of early interventions and role of community context in child mental health. 1/3
November 13, 2025 at 10:56 AM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This follows on from our 2024 report 'An evidence-based approach to supporting children in the preschool years' which provides rigorous research and pragmatic, evidence-based recommendations.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_P...
Cover for report 9 in the series 'A country that works for all children and young people' entitled 'An evidence-based approach for supporting children in the preschool years'.
November 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our latest analysis 'Supporting children in the preschool years: Preschool children are the UK’s future' provides growing evidence of what works to engage families and improve preschool outcomes.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_P...
Cover image for the report update 'Supporting children in the preschool years: Preschool children are the UK's future'
November 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
The preschool years are critical to breaking the cycle of disadvantage and securing the future of the UK

Last year, we highlighted how a third of children were not school ready. New government policies provide hope, but we must work together to ensure that no child is left behind.

A thread👇
The preschool years are critical to breaking the cycle of disadvantage, and securing a healthy future for the UK. The government must prioritise building a country that works for all children and young people. #ChildrenFirst. Featured logos of Child of the North, N8 Research Partnership, Health Equity North and Centre for Young Lives. Last year, we reported a preschool crisis, with a third of children arriving at school without the core skills needed to achieve and thrive. One year on, government policies offer optimism, but we must maintain focus on prevention and ensure no child is left behind. Our practitioner toolkits support schools, child health workers and local authorities to implement expert recommendations. We are calling on the government, and everyone, to put children first. #ChildrenFirst
November 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This follows on from our 2024 report 'An evidence-based plan for improving children’s oral health with and through educational settings' which provides rigorous research and pragmatic, evidence-based recommendations.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_O...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover for report 8 in the series 'A country that works for all children and young people' entitled 'An evidence-based plan for improving children’s oral health with and through educational settings'
October 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our latest analysis 'Improving children's oral health update: integrated health and education solutions' calls for cross-government leadership, connected datasets and a focus on prevention.

@leedspaedsdent.bsky.social @sheffielduni.bsky.social

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_O...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover image for the report update 'Improving children's oral health update: Integrated health and education solutions.'
October 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
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
Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged 5 to 9, and those in the North experience poorer oral health. The government must prioritise building a country that works for all children and young people. #ChildrenFirst. Featured logos of Child of the North, N8 Research Partnership, Health Equity North and Centre for Young Lives. Our 2024 report exposed the unacceptable state of children's oral health and offered solutions. One year on, government policies offer optimism but we must maintain focus on prevention and ensure no child is left behind. Our practitioner toolkits support schools, child health workers, and local authorities to implement expert recommendations. We are calling on the government, and everyone to put children first. #ChildrenFirst
October 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our 'How To' toolkits support practitioners to implement the report recommendations:

Education providers:
www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_H...

Child health services:
www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_H...

Local authorities:
www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_H...

#ChildrenFirst
The Government has taken an important step in putting digital inclusion at the heart of national policy. There’s now an urgent need to connect this strategy with the people and places where digital exclusion remains most acute – such as Northern England. In response to the digital divide, we’re providing toolkits to support schools, child health workers and local authorities to implement expert recommendations. We are calling on the government, and everyone, to put children first. #ChildrenFirst
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This follows on from our 2024 report 'An evidence-based plan for upskilling our children and young people for digital futures'

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_D...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover for report 7 in the series 'A country that works for all children and young people' entitled An evidence-based plan for upskilling our children and young people in digital futures
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
The Government has put digital inclusion at the heart of national policy, now we need to connect this strategy with the people and places where digital exclusion remains most acute – such as Northern England.

#ChildrenFirst

Latest update: www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_D...
Cover image for the report update entitled Digital upskilling update: Innovative approached to close the digital divide.
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
The digital divide continues to limit the life chances of millions of children in Northern England.

Join our campaign to put #ChildrenFirst

www.n8research.org.uk/research-foc...

Head to the comments for more info and resources...

#DigitalDivide #DigitalInclusion #DigitalFutures
The digital divide continues to limit the life chances of millions of children in Northern England. The government must prioritise building a country that works for all children and young people. #ChildrenFirst. Featured logos of Child of the North, N8 Research Partnership, Health Equity North and Centre for Young Lives.
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM