LDCs — Supporting Families, Children and Young People

LDCs engage in a range of initiatives to support children, families and young people. These can range from strategic planning and the development of professional networks to the direct provision of training, programmes and services.

The aim of all interventions is to ensure equality of access, participation and outcomes for disadvantaged children, families and young people.

Examples of the range of initiatives supported by local development companies include:

Family Supports

• Parenting programmes such as The Incredible Years
• Family support programmes such as Strengthening Families
• Parent and Toddler Groups
• Parenting Alone Networks
• Healthy Food Made Easy Initiatives

Children

• Development of community childcare facilities and playgrounds
• Childcare networks to promote the development of quality childcare
• Programmes to tackle speech and language deprivation
• Support for individual interventions such as counselling and play therapy
• Holistic early intervention programmes to support the families of children aged 0 - 4 in disadvantaged areas such as Preparing for Life

Young People

• Young people's mental health projects
• Career guidance for early school leavers
• Young people's forums
• Outreach work with vulnerable young people
• Youth cafes / drop-in services
• Youth clubs
• Summer camps
• Peer support programmes
• Suicide prevention
• Sports development programmes
• Afterschool programmes and study supports
• Youth work networks
• Digital media projects
• Youth leadership training