Impact
For over 20 years, the Children, Young People and Families Consortium has brought together voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver innovative, collaborative projects that strengthen services for children, young people, and families across Rotherham.
We have successfully led, delivered and co-ordinated more than 35 projects, bringing over £4.8 million into the borough—around £4 million directly supporting frontline provision and nearly £1m enabling strategic co-ordination, voice and influence, workforce development and community engagement.
Collectively, this has resulted in over 11,000 activities and interventions for over 8,500 service users, alongside 280 training and development sessions which have enhanced the skills of 950 practitioners and community members.
Our collaborative model not only maximises impact and resources for member organisations but also ensures that children, young people and families receive joined-up, responsive, and sustainable support tailored to their needs.
Funds brought into Rotherham
Projects Delivered
Delivery Opportunities for Members
Activities and Support Provided
Children, Young People and Families Benefitting
Youth Worker Pilot Project (2023-2025)
The Youth Worker Pilot, funded by the NHS England CYP Transformation Programme and delivered by the Children, Young People and Families Consortium implemented a Youth Worker Service within the Children’s Ward at Rotherham Hospital between August 2023 – June 2025.
The project provided 674 interventions (emotional, social, and practical support, advocacy and education liaison) to 77 young people with 53 being supported to access support in the community.
The evaluation of the Youth Worker Pilot Project (YWPP) examines the integration of youth workers within Rotherham Hospital and community settings and how this can reduce hospital re-admissions, improve medical engagement and increase confidence and independence among young people.
Student Wellbeing Resource (2023)
Commissioned by the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, the Developing Healthy Attitudes (DHA) Project was delivered in Rotherham by the CYPF Consortium in partnership with RoSIS and Learn Sheffield. The project aimed to promote healthy attitudes in schools and youth settings while coordinating the Rotherham section of the Student Wellbeing Resource (SWR). Acting as the local point of contact, the Consortium promoted the DHA project through its networks, distributed wellbeing resources on key issues such as drug misuse, bereavement, and emotional health, and collated and validated local support services to ensure accurate signposting for young people and families.
By coordinating content, liaising with schools, and gathering feedback on resource use and provider quality, the Consortium strengthened local support pathways and helped embed a consistent, high-quality wellbeing framework across Rotherham schools and youth settings.
Smiles for Miles Base Project (2021-2023)
The Smiles for Miles Base Project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and co-ordinated by the Consortium, brought together 11 member organisations to deliver a joined-up basket of support for children and young people across Rotherham. Over 2 years, the project delivered 3,764 activities to 2,473 children and young people, generating 19,766 attendances.
As a co-ordinated deliver partnership, Consortium members ensured that young people accessed support from multiple delivery partners, addressing complex needs through a variety of activities and services. The project plugged existing gaps in the borough and was strengthened by strong community and partner relationships, with 29% of referrals from external partners and 71% from direct connections and self-referrals.
The project’s collaborative model allowed providers to adapt services in response to need, develop bespoke offers and share responsibility for achieving a common goal, not only demonstrating the power of collective working but also laying the foundations for future joint-delivery and peer support across the Consortium.
Our 20th Anniversary! (2003-2023)
The CYPF Consortium celebrated 20 years of collaborative working with a special event attended by the Lord Mayor, members, partners, and supporters. The afternoon began with a look back at the Consortium’s history, as guest speaker Paul Robinson shared memories of its early years and the vision behind bringing organisations together. Teresa Brocklehurst then highlighted key projects and achievements from recent years, followed by an inspiring talk from Rob Cooper, who reflected on how his involvement with the Different but Equal Board shaped his personal and professional journey.
The celebration also included interactive quiz rounds, networking opportunities, and a presentation ceremony led by the Lord Mayor, where all current members received commemorative plaques in recognition of their contributions. Guests enjoyed afternoon tea accompanied by a live harp performance from Alejandro Barnett, before a forward-looking panel discussion led by David Plumtree explored the Consortium’s future direction.
The event captured both the Consortium’s proud history and its ongoing commitment to strengthening services for children, young people, and families across Rotherham.
CYPF Consortium Covid-19 Response Project (2020-2021)
The Children, Young People and Families Consortium was awarded £99,806 from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund and DCMS to delivery of a 6-month project in response to the impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable people and communities in Rotherham.
The project was led and co-ordinated by the Children, Young People and Families Consortium with 9 member organisations offering a range of in person, online and mobilised services for those who wish to return to a sense of normality by increasing accessibility and meaningful engagement, as well as those who were isolated and required additional support.
A full report of the project, including its aims, activities, outcomes and learning can be downloaded below.
Voice and Influence Partnership (2017-2021)
From 2017 to 2021, the Children, Young People & Families Consortium’s Voice and Influence Partnership (VIP) served as a vital bridge between the voluntary and community sector (VCS), statutory organisations, and children, young people, and families across Rotherham.
The Partnership brought together representatives from a wide range of 18 organisations—such as Barnardo’s, RDASH (CAMHS), Rotherham Youth Cabinet, YMCA White Rose, and local cultural and community groups to drive a shared commitment to embedding youth voice through best practices and skills development.
As a sub-group of the Consortium, the VIP created a central, coordinated system to help anyone wishing to involve young people in service planning, policy development, or decision-making—ensuring input was sought sensitively, ethically, and inclusively. A request template developed by the partnership ensured standardisation across the partnership and demonstrated a shared commitment for young people to be engaged as equal, supported partners with a clear understanding of expectations, benefits, and outcomes.
Different But Equal Board (2017-2021)
Established in 2017, the Different But Equal (DBE) Board brought together young people aged 11–25 (including those with SEND) to influence decision-making in Rotherham. Over four years, the Board shaped services, created resources, and celebrated youth voice through events and awards.
Highlights included supporting Voice and Influence Training to staff from Clifton Park Museum (2021) producing Rotherham’s first youth-made EHCP film (2020), hosting the Different But Equal Awards (2018/2019), and leading a major Young People’s Event (2017) with over 100 young people and professionals. The DBE Board provided a strong platform for young voices until 2021, leaving a lasting impact on how young people’s engagement in voice and influence initiatives are embedded locally.
EHCP Film (2020)
The Children, Young People and Families consortium supported young people from its Different But Equal Board to come together and make a video to film to help young people with SEND understand all they needed to know about Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs). This was the first ever resource of its kind in Rotherham (and possibly the world) made by young people with SEND for young people with SEND.
In true DBE style, the film was officially launched with a movie premiere complete with popcorn and a Q&A with stars of the film at the YMCA MyPlace to over 50 people including young people, key stakeholders and partners from the council and police. The film is now featured on the Rotherham SEND Local Offer
Different But Equal Awards (2018-2019)
Young people from the Children, Young People and Families Consortium’s Different But Equal Board came together to plan Rotherham’s only award ceremony made entirely by young people for young people, the ‘Different But Equal Awards’.
These annual events, supported by Barnardos and the Rotherham Together Partnership took place in 2018 and 2019, celebrating the amazing achievements and difference that young people can make when they let their voices be heard.
Young People’s Event (2017)
The Different But Equal Board of young people organised a ‘Young People’s Event’ with support from the Children, Young People and Families Consortium attended by over 100 young people from diverse backgrounds. The event aimed to discuss issues impacting youth, share ideas, and celebrate diversity in Rotherham. Activities included arts and crafts, hair and beauty workshops, sports, African drumming, and street dancing. Positive feedback led to increased requests for involvement in various consultations.
CAMHS Moving On (2016-2019)
The Consortium played a key role in shaping and delivering support for young people transitioning from CAMHS. Following its involvement in the 2016 CAMHS Voice and Influence Review and a 2017 scoping exercise commissioned by Rotherham CCG, the Consortium was commissioned in 2018 to deliver the Moving On service.
The project provided co-ordinated support through Consortium member organisations, ensuring young people aged 12–19 could access one-to-one sessions, group work, and the WRAP programme in familiar community settings, resulting in higher levels of engagement. By working collectively, member organisations were able to share expertise, align provision, and respond flexibly to young people’s needs.
The project highlighted the value of a joined-up approach—showing how co-ordination across multiple providers enables flexible, needs-led support, the benefits of delivering services in trusted local environments, and the importance of effective referral processes in future planning.
Base Project (2015-2016)
The Base Project, funded by the Home Office and led by the Children, Young People and Families Consortium, provided targeted services in Rotherham for individuals and families affected by child sexual exploitation.
Consortium member organisations provided co-ordinated support to 175 victims and families including one-on-one and family support, counseling, outreach, and therapeutic interventions such as art and music, accessed via an interactive service map, visible branding and a dedicated helpline. It also involved training 96 staff and volunteers in CSE awareness and creating joint-support models for responsive assistance during high-profile trials. An independent evaluation of the project highlighted the importance of multi-agency collaboration and practitioner development, extending the reach and effectiveness of existing services and the positive changes the Base Project made to the lives of service users and Base Project partners.
