During the summer, A Better Star Southend (ABSS) were shortlisted for two CYP Now awards in the categories of Early Years and Partnerships.

 

Representatives of the ABSS Partnership, along with Parent Champions attended the awards ceremony on November 24th, which was attended by local and national organisations, local authorities, and health partnerships – all of whom work tirelessly to support children, young people and their families.

 

The ceremony began with the Early Years category, where the A Better Start Southend team were extremely pleased to hear that their Talking Transition project won this prestigious accolade. Talking Transitions stood out for building relationships between early years settings and schools, providing specialist training to professionals, and ensuring knowledge is shared with parents. This combination is unique, effective and is helping some of our most disadvantaged children to improve their speech, language, and communication skills and to make a successful transition into school.

 

Quote – Lynsey Weston & Sian Ansell, ABSS Communication & Language Advisors:

“We are thrilled and delighted that our Talking Transitions project has won the Children & Young People Now ‘Early Years Award’. It’s wonderful that the judges recognised the hard work and enthusiasm shown by our Early Years practitioners involved in the project.  The collaborative working between Early Years settings and schools not only supports and improves children’s speech language and communication skills ready for their transition into school, but also eases the whole transition experience, for children and their families. Long may it continue!”

While celebrating the accomplishment of receiving the Early Years award, the Partnership category followed and the A Better Start Southend team were announced as the winners once more; an impressive achievement that highlights the merits of the entire ABSS partnership, programme and community of parents. The Partnership award recognised ABSS for pushing at the boundaries of partnership working, by trying new ways of bringing the voices of lived experience parents into the heart of the programme. The work has underpinned significant system change which is paving the way for sustained long term improvements in terms of child health interventions and developmental outcomes.

 

Quote – Tara Poore, ABSS Director:

“Winning two prestigious CYP Now awards plays testament to all who work tirelessly in the early years space to improve the outcomes of Southend’s youngest residents. Working alongside and with our community has been a key attributing factor in this excellent achievement and I hope that all involved can share in the joy this brings.”

The Children & Young People Now Awards represent the gold standard for organisations working with children, young people and families. Now in their 17th year, these awards provide a great source of pride and recognition for all those who strive to improve the lives of others.