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Last week, Josh MacAlister MP, the Minister for Children and Families, visited the Liverpool City Region to observe the efforts being made by local partners in reshaping social care and improving outcomes for children and young people. He praised the collaborative approach focused on providing children with a strong foundation for their future.
During his visit, the Minister engaged with regional leaders to understand how the area is centering public services around the lived experiences of children and young people. His meetings included discussions with the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, as well as Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council and Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, alongside other senior officials involved in children’s and family services.
The conversations highlighted a shift away from traditional fragmented care models toward approaches that better reflect the needs of children and families. One key example is the organisation We Are Juno, a network of not-for-profit residential care homes offering a sustainable alternative to the profit-driven model that often dominates children’s residential care. Josh MacAlister commented, “Initiatives like We Are Juno demonstrate some of the innovations we want to see in children’s social care – local focus, a not-for-profit funding model and delivering loving homes to help give children the best possible start in life.”
Steve Rotheram emphasized the importance of stability for children in care, stating, “Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a safe, secure home where they feel loved and supported. Too often, for children in care, that stability is disrupted at the very moment they need it most.” He expressed his commitment to ensuring young people can remain close to their familiar environments rather than being uprooted far from their communities and support networks. By collaborating with We Are Juno and local authorities, the region has developed a child-centered residential care system that prioritizes children’s needs over profits. Rotheram added, “With the backing of government, regions like ours can invest in innovative, life-changing projects that give our most vulnerable children the stability, care and opportunity they deserve.”
Sophie Clarke, Managing Director at We Are Juno, reflected on the visit, saying, “It was great to share the Juno story with the Minister. At Juno, our work is grounded in the reality of how tough life can be for some children and young people in the region.” She noted that the organisation was founded with input from care-experienced young people and focuses on creating safe, nurturing, locally rooted homes, rather than pursuing profit. Furthermore, Chris Catterall, Chief Executive at Capacity, highlighted the strong partnerships in the Liverpool City Region and Cheshire involving local government, health services, combined authorities, and the voluntary sector. He mentioned that the Minister encouraged them to continue taking bold steps to redesign public services in ways that better support children, young people, and families over the long term
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