Child of the North
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childofthenorth.bsky.social
Child of the North
@childofthenorth.bsky.social
340 followers 150 following 190 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
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
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
Our evidence-based plan for addressing the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment and support crisis was published in 2024 in response to the unsustainable pressure on the SEND system. In response to a worsening crisis, 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 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This follows on from our 2024 report – 'An evidence-based plan for addressing the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment and support crisis' – which provides rigorous research and pragmatic, evidence-based recommendations.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_S...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover for report 6 in the series A country that works for all children and young people' entitled An evidence-based plan for addressing the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment and support crisis.
October 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our latest findings evidence the urgent need to implement whole-system level support for children with special educational needs.

Read the update ‘Addressing the SEND crisis update: Implementing what works in a worsening crisis’

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_S...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover image for the report update entitled Addressing the SEND crisis update: Implementing what works in a worsening crisis.
October 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Schools lack the resources to support the 1.28 million children in England with special educational needs.

Join our campaign to put #ChildrenFirst

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

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

#SENDcrisis
Schools lack the resources to support the 1.28 million children in England with special educational needs. 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 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
“We don’t need to do anything radical, we just need to lift children out of poverty”

Listen to our #ChildoftheNorth panel from Labour Party Conference to hear our panellists discuss how child health and social inequalities can, and must, be reduced.

www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/video-addres...
October 14, 2025 at 8:41 AM
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
In 2024, in response to children's low levels of physical activity, we published an evidence-based plan for supporting physical activity and healthy nutrition with and through education settings. In response to latest findings, we are launching 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 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
This follows on from our 2024 report – An evidence-based plan for supporting physical activity and healthy nutrition with and through education settings – which provides rigorous research and pragmatic, evidence-based recommendations.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CoTN_P...

#ChildrenFirst
Cover for report 5 in the series 'A country that works for all children and young people' entitled 'An evidence-based plan for supporting physical activity and healthy nutrition with and through education settings
October 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Our latest findings reinforce how schools should not just be sites of learning, but key settings for support and holistic approaches to childhood health.

Read the update ‘Improving physical activity update: Accumulating evidence for effective interventions'.

www.n8research.org.uk/media/CotN_P...
Cover image for the report update entitled Improving physical activity update: Accumulating evidence for effective interventions.
October 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Children in the North are losing up to 10 years of life due to inactivity and inequality.

Join our campaign to put #ChildrenFirst and call on the government to build a country that works for all children and young people.

Visit: www.n8research.org.uk/research-foc...
Children in the North are losing up to 10 years of life due to inactivity and inequality. 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 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
You can now listen to our panel event from Labour Party Conference 2025, where we heard from Kate Proctor from @savechildrenuk.bsky.social, @samrushworthmp.bsky.social, @grahamwhitham.bsky.social, @profkepickett.bsky.social, and Professor David Taylor-Robinson from @liverpooluni.bsky.social. 1/2
October 9, 2025 at 12:13 PM
childofthenorth.bsky.social
Today’s @yorkshirepost.co.uk features a column written by @healthequitynorth.bsky.social Exec Director @hannahdavies.bsky.social, who sets out why it’s imperative to scrap the two-child benefit cap if we want to see a reduction in the child poverty rates.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...
October 7, 2025 at 8:24 AM