Worcestershire County Council has been chosen as one of 20 "Pioneering Places" by the Early Intervention Foundation because of its substantial commitment to early help.

The authority's Early Help team will work with the Early Intervention Foundation and the other 19 Places across the country to learn from each other about what works best for families and what is most cost-effective.

The foundation will support Worcestershire in demonstrating the difference early help services are making to families' lives and make a case for on-going investment.

Chief Executive of Action for Children, Dame Clare Tickell, said: “In order to break the cycle of deprivation and reduce the risk of poor outcomes for children, we need to be able to intervene as early as possible.

"The Early Intervention Foundation and their places will ensure that examples of best practice are shared, vital in making the case for a shift in resources to focus on supporting children and families at the earliest possible stage”

Councillor Liz Eyre, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at the county council, said: "We are delighted that our commitment to Early Help in Worcestershire has been nationally recognised and that we have been chosen to take part in this scheme.

"We look forward to using the knowledge and expertise on offer from the Early Intervention Foundation and additional 19 Places to enable us to continually improve to deliver the best Early Help services to children, young people and families within Worcestershire."