Cheshire East service Project Crewe has been replicated across the authority with a second team based in Macclesfield, and renamed FACT22. The innovative pilot has been shortlisted for an MJ Award.
Following a successful pilot, Project Crewe, Catch22’s innovative children’s social care model has received further funding from Cheshire East. Catch22’s success in reducing the number of children in need in Crewe has led to the approach being replicated with a second team based in Macclesfield. To recognise this, Project Crewe has been renamed FACT22 (Families Achieving Change Together).
FACT22 was launched by Catch22 and Cheshire East Council in 2015. Joint funded by the Department for Education’s Innovation Programme and Cheshire East, it tested a new staffing and delivery model to support Children in Need.
Recognising the impact of the service, FACT22 has been shortlisted for an MJ Award in the Impact and Learning in Children’s Services category. This award celebrates services which show quantifiable evidence of innovation, impact and learning from a committed children’s services team. The shortlisted services need to have worked efficiently and effectively to deliver demonstrable impact in services for 0-19s in their local area.
Catch22 engages family practitioners, peer mentors and volunteers, with a range of skills and experience who work with children in need to prevent their potential escalation or return into the child protection system. Catch22’s interim evaluation report highlighted the impact of providing intensive support. Latest statistics on impact include reducing Children in Need cases by 12% and reducing the average social worker’s caseload by 30%, freeing them up to work with high risk cases.
Kate Wareham, Director for Children and Young People at Catch22, said:
“Growing from a pilot project to become FACT22 is testament to the success of the service. Listening to children and families and providing the support they need is helping them to make and sustain positive changes. Our award shortlisting shows that Cheshire East is leading the way in delivering holistic, family focused children’s services.”
When asked about the service, one family member who received support from FACT22 said:
“I’m pleased you’re helping me and not just telling me what to do.”
Councillor Liz Durham, cabinet member for children and families at Cheshire East Council said:
“We are delighted with the news that this important project has been shortlisted for a national award.”
“I believe we have truly demonstrated real innovation by engaging with many volunteers and working closely with all our partners to help children and their families achieve their aspirations. I would like to thank the team for all their efforts and wish them good luck at the award ceremony in June.”