North Tyneside Council has been selected by the Department for Education (DfE) to be designated as a Children’s Improvement Team (CIT) provider, placing the authority among a small group of high‑performing councils trusted to support improvement across children’s services nationally.
The CIT programme is a key part of the DfE’s sector‑led improvement approach. It brings together experienced local authorities to offer peer challenge, support and expertise to help improve outcomes for children and families. Establishing Children’s Improvement Teams is an important step in delivering the Government’s ambition for a stronger, more effective children’s social care system. It reflects a growing sector‑led model of improvement, drawing on the knowledge and leadership of high‑performing councils to strengthen services across the country.
North Tyneside’s selection is a significant national endorsement of the achievements within the Council’s Children’s Services, and recognition of the strength of its leadership, practice and expertise. It also reflects our commitment to giving children and young people the best start in life, and to creating better lives for all in North Tyneside.
In appointing North Tyneside, the DfE highlighted the Council’s strong leadership, commitment to reform and proven track record of delivering high‑quality services for children and families. The Council has demonstrated its ability to improve outcomes, embed strong foundations for effective practice and support improvement beyond its own boundaries through its previous role as a Sector‑Led Improvement Partner (SLIP).
Becoming a CIT provider will create valuable opportunities for leaders and practitioners to contribute to national reform and improvement activity, while benefiting from wider learning, innovation and best practice from across the sector. The programme will also offer enhanced professional development for colleagues through peer support, collaborative working and direct involvement in improvement activity with partner authorities.
As the programme develops, North Tyneside will be paired with another local authority and will provide targeted support and improvement activity for up to two years, helping to strengthen services and improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
Councillor Peter Earley, North Tyneside's Cabinet Member responsible for Supporting and Protecting Children, said: "I am delighted that the continuing excellence of our Children's Services has been recognised through the Department for Education's decision to appoint North Tyneside as a Children's Improvement Team provider. This appointment enables us to build upon our successful sector-led improvement work and reinforces our commitment to sharing expertise, supporting improvement and driving best practice in children's social care across the country."