Kensington & Fairfield in Liverpool is to receive a share of up to £200,000 to improve early childhood development.
It has been awarded by the Fair Education Alliance, a national charity working in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The money will be used to support innovative projects that address the structural barriers preventing children from low-income backgrounds reaching the benchmark for early years development. These initiatives will be designed in partnership with families, schools and community groups with the aim to create stronger support networks that meet local children’s needs.
The projects will be rolled out across 2026-2028. They kicked off with a family fun day at Kensington Family Hub last week, where families enjoyed food and activities, connected with local services, and started to share their views on the initiatives.
The neighbourhood was selected following consultation with the council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority based on the areas with the highest need and the greatest potential for change.
The number of children reaching the expected level of development by the end of Reception is below the local authority average, and well below the national average. Almost half of children who are eligible for free school meals don’t reach this standard.
Cllr Liz Parsons, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, said: “I know from first-hand experience that giving children the best start possible in life is not only an investment in the child but our wider communities.
“Supporting families to support their children is something we really understand in Liverpool and this funding will enable us to make further progress in an area of the city where families can face many challenges.
“We’re looking forward to collaborating with the Fair Education Alliance, partners, and, most importantly, the families of Kensington and Fairfield on projects that will build on the connections that are already in the community.”
“By building on the work already taking place across the Liverpool City Region, we can help more children reach their potential and ensure they have the foundations they need to thrive in school and beyond.”
Charlotte Ledley, Head of Collaboration Partnership for Liverpool City Region at the Fair Education Alliance, said: “We know there’s an attainment gap between children from low-income backgrounds and their peers by the time they start school, and that this only grows as they get older.
“Local people understand local needs best, and it’s hugely exciting to be working together with the communities in these neighbourhoods to make outcomes for their young children fairer.”
