A service for protecting vulnerable children from broken families has been praised after being named among the best in the country by an influential magazine.

Children and Young People Now magazine named Merton Council’s Supporting Families team in the top six of over 400 UK-wide entries in its award for ‘integrated working’.

Cabinet member for children’s services, Maxi Martin, thanked the team for providing “life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged young people.”

To make the shortlist, Merton had to provide evidence of how its multi-agency and partnership approach to supporting families has improved the lives of young people.

The team said it adopted a "multi-agency approach" which allowed families to receive help before their problems reached crisis level.

Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Councillor Maxi Martin said: “Our Supporting Families team have worked tremendously hard to help families stay together wherever possible and to provide life-changing opportunities for the more disadvantaged young people in our borough. Being shortlisted reflects the dedication of their efforts.”

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