Fighting child poverty and poor health in the North East is a big job, with the region having some of the highest rates of health inequalities in the UK.

‘It can be demotivating at times working in this field because it's like you're fighting off this massive wave and every time it breaks another larger wave appears,' Elliott acknowledged.

The North East has the longest wait times for SEND and neurodivergence diagnosis and support.

Almost a quarter (24%) of 8-16 year olds in the North East have a probable mental disorder, compared to 20.3% nationally.

Perinatal mental health rates are among the highest, affecting children and their families from birth and rates of paediatric diabetes and asthma are also high.

Almost three quarters (71%) of people feel dentistry services are worsening year on year, driven by inaccessible appointments, de-listing and high costs. The North East also has the highest rates of residents trying to secure an appointment over two years.

Regionally, child poverty affects 30% of children but this rises to 52% in some wards within constituencies.

Against this challenging backdrop, Children North East provides support to babies, children, young people and their families, also working with schools and the vast communities to ensure their best chance of growing up healthier and happier.

Five critical stages

Working with the NHS, local government, charities, schools and social services, the charity runs community services, Poverty Proofing®, therapeutic counselling and participation across the five critical stages of growing up: pregnancy and babyhood; starting school; changing school; adolescence; and becoming independent.

From pre-natal up to young adulthood Children North East provides services and support that make an impact and give children and their families the opportunity to build a better future.

‘By addressing the root causes of poor health at the earliest stage of life, we can help build a healthier future for children, families and communities, while reducing long-term demand on health and care services,' Elliott noted.

The charity's services include baby & toddler groups to support early development, socialisation and reduce parents' isolation.

The Little Minds in Mind programme (see box) works with babies up to age 2 and their families through the first critical 1,001 days for the best start in life.

In school, the charity offers support through poverty awareness and its Poverty Proofing programme (see box), as well as Key Transitions, Youth Groups and mental health support.

Children North East is partnering with Resolve Poverty and the Welsh Government to deliver a three-year programme designed to reduce the cost of the school day and lessen the impact of poverty on learners across Wales.

Meanwhile, in the North East, the charity has partnered with Mayor Kim McGuiness to deliver the North East School Uniform charter, establishing a region‑wide commitment to accessible and affordable uniforms.

‘We will continue to develop work to support the North East Mayor's commitment to addressing child poverty in the region,' Elliott promised.

Little Minds in Mind The Little Minds in Mind service provides specialist parent-infant mental health support for families with children from pregnancy through to two years of age, helping to strengthen bonding and attachment during the earliest stages of development. ‘We work with families experiencing a range of challenges that may affect the developing relationship between parent and baby,' Elliott said. ‘We provide a safe, non-judgemental and supportive space where parents and carers can observe, understand and connect with their baby, while also exploring and processing any difficult feelings they may be experiencing.'

The charity's Poverty Proofing methodology works to reduce the effects of poverty on attainment in schools, healthcare and cultural organisations.

Poverty Proofing Children North East's Poverty Proofing® methodology works to address and uncover the hidden barriers that reduce attainment for children and young people experiencing poverty. The work has been recognised nationally, cited multiple times as good practice in the UK Government's Child Poverty Strategy, and continues to influence how organisations understand and respond to the impact of poverty on children's lives. In the past year, Children North East has worked to roll out Poverty Proofing nationally across paediatric diabetes services, as well as neonatal care, paediatric epilepsy services, CAMHS and more.

In addition, the charity supports neurodivergent young people and their families to get help when they need it.

Young people can access immediate mental health support through Nook, a safe haven delivered in partnership with charity, Everyturn.

NHS impact

‘Early intervention can have a profound impact, improving outcomes across health, education and wellbeing throughout a child's life,' Elliott noted.

Research suggests that for every £1 invested in perinatal health support, society can save up to £16 through reduced costs associated with healthcare, social care, education and lost productivity.

‘By supporting families early, we can help alleviate future pressure on the NHS and other public services while giving every child the strongest possible start in life,' the charity boss added.

Optimistic

Despite the enormous scale of working in one of the UK's most deprived regions, Elliott said she was optimistic about the future.

‘I do think there is a bit of energy and shift because all the systems and organisations we work with seem to be shifting in the right direction,' Elliott said.

‘We seem to have local authorities, devolution and the NHS strategy on the same page and a Government that really seems to want to push the child poverty agenda.'

Under Elliott's leadership, Children North East looks set to continue to play its pivotal role in giving more babies, children and young people the better start in life they deserve.