£3m partnership launches to improve outcomes for children in Hastings
A NEW school-based programme working with children and their families will launch in Hastings this September.
East Sussex County Council, local schools and community organisations will work in close partnership with charity AllChild to deliver the initiative, which will initially launch in the communities of West St Leonards, St. Helen’s, Baird and Ore.
A £3 million investment will fund the programme, which focuses on bringing communities together, providing holistic support for children to develop the trusted relationships, connections and skills they need to flourish in school and in their community.
Individuals and organisations from across Hastings have helped ensure the programme reflects local priorities and builds on existing strengths through a series of engagement workshops.
The partnership between AllChild and East Sussex County Council, who together with schools and philanthropists are making a long-term investment to the programme, reflects a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children in Hastings. AllChild’s early‑action approach has already proven effective in London and Greater Manchester, supporting more than 9,000 children and young people to improve their wellbeing, attendance, and engagement with school.
Carolyn Fair, Director of Children’s Services at East Sussex County Council said: “We are delighted to be partnering with AllChild to bring early support and opportunities for children and young people. We are committed to this programme and to improving outcomes for young people in Hastings. This programme is an exciting development that will support our wider work in the town with schools, families and community organisations. We look forward to seeing the children flourish at school and achieve their goals.”
Louisa Mitchell MBE, Chief Executive of AllChild said: “We are deeply committed to our partnership with East Sussex County Council, schools, families, charities and other organisations in the Hastings area that will enable children and young people to access early, joined-up support and opportunities in their communities so that they can flourish in life.”
The programme will initially launch in six schools this September, with further schools joining in September 2027. Every young person will follow a personalised two‑year programme designed with their AllChild Link Worker, who is based full-time in their school and coordinates the support and opportunities they need to achieve their goals.
Local youth organisations have highlighted the importance of addressing the barriers young people are facing to attend and engage with school, and of increasing access to positive activities that broaden their horizons.
Phoebe Praill, AllChild’s Regional Director in East Sussex, will lead the programme. A former teacher and founder of social enterprise The Bridging Project, she will oversee a team of locally recruited Link Workers. She will also work closely with charity and community partners across Hastings to improve access for children and families to the wide range of support and opportunities already on offer.
She said: “I look forward to working alongside local partners to ensure children joining our programme receive the right support at the right time. Like them, I care deeply about creating the opportunities young people across Hastings need to flourish. We are currently recruiting Link Workers who want to make a real difference in their community and encourage anyone passionate about working with children and families to apply.”
Ends.
Karen Bowles
Thursday, 14 May 2026