
Children, Families, and Youth Support Award
This award recognises a public authority or social services provider that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving the well-being, protection, and empowerment of children and young people through coordinated early intervention, family support services, or youth participation initiatives. It honours programmes that deliver coordinated, comprehensive, and preventive support, helping children and young people grow and flourish in safe, nurturing, and inclusive environments.
Meet the Finalists
| Emine-Ali Yeter Childcare and Multi-Purpose Education Centre | Municipality of Çorlu (Türkiye) ▼ |
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Children and families in the disadvantaged Hıdırağa neighbourhood of Çorlu face limited access to early childhood education, safe childcare and family support, reducing children's development opportunities and limiting mothers' access to learning and employment. The Emine-Ali Yeter Childcare and Multi-Purpose Education Centre addresses these interconnected challenges through an integrated, community-based model that combines childcare, early education and family support in one accessible location. Delivered through collaboration between Çorlu Municipality, education authorities, Marmara University, SODAM and local donors, the centre provides children with a safe, stimulating environment while enabling mothers to participate in adult learning, skills training and personal development. This coordinated approach creates consistent support for families and strengthens inclusion within the local community. Since opening in October 2024, the centre has expanded from supporting 14 children to 56, with capacity to reach 120 annually. It has also enabled 50 women to participate in employability and leadership training, improving opportunities for both children and their families. |
| Social Rehabilitation Service for Children with Functional Impairments | Latvian Children’s Support Fund (Latvia) ▼ |
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Children with disabilities and functional impairments often face barriers to communication, social participation, and independent living, while their families may struggle to access coordinated support. The “I Can. I Know How. I Do.” social rehabilitation service addresses these challenges through personalised support plans that strengthen children's social, communication and everyday living skills while empowering parents and caregivers. Delivered by the Latvian Children's Support Fund, the service brings together social workers, therapists, educators and healthcare professionals to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary support. Close collaboration with families, schools, personal assistants, social services and community organisations ensures that children receive consistent support across home, education and community settings, creating an inclusive environment that promotes long-term participation. Since 2022, the programme has supported children and families through individual and group interventions tailored to their needs. Evaluation shows improvements in children's social skills, participation and independence, alongside increased confidence and capacity among parents to support their children's development. |
| Restart in Life | CONCORDIA Humanitarian Organisation (Romania) ▼ |
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Young people and adults experiencing homelessness or leaving care often face multiple barriers to independent living, including unemployment, interrupted education, poor mental health and social exclusion. Restart in Life addresses these interconnected challenges through an integrated support programme that combines housing, employment, education, psychosocial support and life-skills development within personalised intervention plans. Delivered by CONCORDIA Humanitarian Organisation with support from United Way Romania, the programme brings together social workers, psychologists, vocational counsellors and housing specialists to provide coordinated support tailored to each participant's needs. It also works with employers and public institutions to create sustainable pathways to employment and social inclusion. In 2025, the programme supported 151 vulnerable young people and adults, with 66 securing formal employment and 10 successfully moving into independent rented housing. By connecting services around each individual, Restart in Life helps participants build the confidence, skills and stability needed for long-term independence and active participation in their communities. |
| Community-Based Mental Health Support for Children and Youth | Ramón Rey Ardid Foundation (Spain) ▼ |
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Fundación Ramón Rey Ardid brings together schools, families, local authorities, health services and people with lived experience to address the growing mental health challenges faced by young people aged 14 -18. Together with educational centres and community partners, the multidisciplinary team delivers workshops, peer-led activities and community initiatives that promote mental health literacy, reduce stigma and strengthen emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and social skills. The collaborative approach enables young people, educators and families to build knowledge, recognise early signs of distress and access appropriate support. By connecting education, health and community services, the project creates a coordinated support network that responds to the needs of young people in both urban and rural settings. To date, the project reaches around 2,450 people each year across the Aragon region, demonstrating increased mental health awareness, improved emotional competencies and a sustainable model that can be transferred to other communities. |
| Include Youth: Give and Take Programme | Child and Family Agency of Ireland (TUSLA) (Ireland) ▼ |
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Include Youth’s ‘Give and Take’ Programme addresses the high levels of unemployment, educational disadvantage, and social exclusion experienced by care-experienced young people in Ireland. Working with young people aged 16-21, including those facing homelessness, disabilities, addiction, and complex trauma, the programme provides tailored support to help them access education, training, and employment. Through individual action plans, employability training, life-skills development, mentoring, and transition support, the programme delivers flexible, trauma-informed and strengths-based support. Include Youth works closely with Tusla Aftercare Services alongside education providers, community organisations, health services, and employers to coordinate holistic wraparound support and reduce service fragmentation. The programme has demonstrated strong outcomes, with 96% of participants engaging in life-skills development, 93% completing accredited training, and 93% participating in employability or volunteering opportunities. Evaluation findings also show improved confidence, communication skills, wellbeing, and readiness for employment, education, and independent living. |
| Social Innovation Zones: A Place-based Approach for Children and Families | Save the Children Italia (Italy) ▼ |
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Save the Children Italy addresses child poverty and social exclusion in five deprived urban neighbourhoods where children and families face unequal access to education, healthcare, social services, and opportunities. Through a place-based approach, the programme brings together municipalities, schools, community organisations, research institutions, businesses, and residents to co-design long-term Development Plans tailored to local needs and dynamics. Children and young people play an active role through permanent Youth Committees, while a digital monitoring platform and independent evaluation framework support continuous learning and improvement. By integrating education, health, participation, poverty reduction, and community development, the programme strengthens local governance and creates sustainable support systems for families. Since 2023, Social Innovation Zones has reached nearly 10,000 participants across five Italian cities, with evidence of improved access to services, stronger community collaboration, and increased opportunities for children and young people. |
| Countering Educational Poverty and Supporting Educational Opportunities for Young People | Consortium of Municipalities of Area 5 Atripalda (Italy) ▼ |
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Family Room addresses educational poverty, social isolation, and family vulnerability among children and families facing socio-economic disadvantages. The project supports children aged 0-13, parents, people with disabilities, migrants, and other vulnerable groups to strengthen well-being, positive parenting, and social inclusion. Led by the Consortium of Municipalities of Area 5 Atripalda, the project combines traditional social services with immersive multisensory technology. Through a dedicated Family Room, children and families engage in interactive learning, digital skills activities, psychological support, parenting guidance, outdoor education, and social inclusion programmes. Social workers, psychologists, and educators work together across community, home-based, and technology-enhanced settings, creating a coordinated support model that strengthens relationships, reduces barriers to accessing services, and connects health, education, and social care interventions. Over three years, the project has supported 432 beneficiaries, exceeding its target by 35%, while improving parenting skills, social inclusion, emotional well-being, digital literacy, and children's cognitive and social development. |
Examples of key areas in Children, Families, and Youth Support in Social Services
Support families, early intervention, and mental health
Integrated delivery of family support and parenting programmes combining coaching, home and psychosocial support.
Integrated early childhood social, health and education services
Services with specific provisions for children from most vulnerable backgrounds.
Multi-agency child protection hubs with multiple services supporting children and families
Integrated programmes coordinating multiple services
Services for young people from vulnerable backgrounds transitioning to adulthood.
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