For the initiative that has done the most to improve the life chances of babies and young children, especially among disadvantaged or hard-to-reach communities. Entries are open to nurseries, children’s centres and childminders, as well as local authorities.

For the initiative that has done the most to offer children and young people the opportunities to play freely, enjoy childhood and contribute to their social, emotional and physical development. The judges will look for work that has enabled children to follow their own ideas and interest, and in their own way.

For the initiative that has done the most to promote young people’s personal development and help them achieve their potential through youth work, informal education and participation in positive activities, especially among disadvantaged or excluded groups.

For the initiative that has enabled children or young people to make a difference in their communities or to their peers, through volunteering, social action or campaigning. The judges are looking for entries where children and young people have taken the lead in planning and organising the work as well as delivering it.

For the initiative that has made the best contribution to improving educational achievement. The judges will in particular look for work that has helped children with special educational needs and disabilities or disadvantaged groups such as looked-after children.

For the initiative that has done the most to inspire children and young people in cultural activities, such as music, dance, drama or the visual arts, especially among disadvantaged groups, and where collaboration is shown between public services, the cultural sector and children and young people.

For the initiative that has done the most to reach and provide young people with information and support in making sound life choices. Entry is open to providers of advice and guidance in areas such as careers and employability, relationships, health or education.

For the initiative that has done the most to support children, young people or young adults up to 25 who care for a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental health problem or addiction. This includes support to meet carers’ educational, health, social and emotional needs; helping carers who have previously been unidentified by services; and working with families to reduce inappropriate levels of caring.

For the initiative that has done the most to help young people leaving the care system make a smooth and successful transition to adulthood by supporting their accommodation, health, housing, and training and employment needs. Judges will be looking for examples where young people have played a key role in planning their independent living.

For the initiative that has done the most to transform the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, whether through prevention, early intervention or treatment. Entries are open to CAMHS, public sector, voluntary sector, clinical commissioning groups, and specialist support services.

For the initiative that has intervened early and most effectively with children and young people at risk from problems such as poor health, dropping out of education, homelessness, crime or substance misuse, and prevented the transmission of poor outcomes from one generation to the next.

For the local National Citizen Service initiative that has achieved the greatest impact on young participants. In particular, judges will be looking for programmes that show inspiration and demonstrate effectiveness in aiding teamwork, social mixing, community involvement and young people’s transition to adulthood.

For the local authority or care provider that has done the most to improve outcomes for looked-after children or young people, whether in residential care, foster care or other types of placement. The judges are looking in particular for examples of exceptional teamwork, joint working or activity above and beyond the call of duty.

For the initiative that has made the biggest contribution to improving the life chances of young offenders, or those at risk of offending or reoffending. Entries are invited from local authorities, youth offending teams and youth services, as well as voluntary organisations and individual projects.

For the initiative or service that has done the most to support whole families to help their children lead healthy, happy and fulfilling lives safe from harm. The judges are looking in particular for work that has helped challenging or disadvantaged families.

For the initiative that has made the biggest contribution to prevent and protect children and young people from abuse and neglect. Judges will be looking for examples of exceptional teamwork and multi-agency working.

For the adult individual who has achieved significant improvements in the lives of children or young people, especially among disadvantaged or excluded groups, through campaigning, lobbying, improving participation or other activities. Entries must include a description of their work and its impact.

For the individual child or young person that has achieved significant improvements in his or her own outcomes and made a positive contribution in their community through activities such as volunteering or campaigning. The young person will have made these achievements through the interaction with a single project or a range of services and must be nominated for the Award by an adult professional.

For the outstanding multi-agency project or team that has made the greatest improvement to people’s lives. This applies to partnership working between statutory and public sector agencies as well as those involving organisations in the voluntary and private sectors.

For the organisation, team or initiative that has made the biggest contribution to boost recruitment or the status of work with children, young people and families through activities such as innovative marketing, change management or training.

For the public sector team that has made the greatest impact in improving the life chances of children, young people or families. Entries are open to teams and departments within local authorities as well as local health services and national public bodies.

For the charity or social enterprise that has made the most impressive contribution, at a local or national level, in improving the life chances of children, young people or families. Achievements will have been driven through a combination of innovative practice, effective partnership working or campaigning for change. Entries are open to charities of any size.

For the initiative that has done the most to improve the life chances of babies and young children, especially among disadvantaged or hard-to-reach communities. Entries are open to nurseries, children’s centres and childminders, as well as local authorities.

For the initiative that has done the most to improve the life chances of babies and young children, especially among disadvantaged or hard-to-reach communities. Entries are open to nurseries, children’s centres and childminders, as well as local authorities.

For the initiative that has done the most to improve the life chances of babies and young children, especially among disadvantaged or hard-to-reach communities. Entries are open to nurseries, children’s centres and childminders, as well as local authorities.

For the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education initiative that has done the most to develop young people’s knowledge, skills and attributes in managing the challenges of modern life, such as sex and relationships, substance misuse, mental health, challenging extremism and radicalization, and preparing for the world of work. The judges are looking for initiatives delivered in schools or other education settings. Entries are open to teaching staff as well as external providers.