July 2025 West Cumbria: Opportunities and Challenges 2025 A community needs report commissioned by Sellafield Ltd
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 2 3 Executive Summary The first West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges report was produced in 2019. It laid the foundation for the creation of the successful ‘Transforming West Cumbria’ social investment programme, funded by Sellafield Ltd, which targeted resourcing and support to many communities across West Cumbria and helped local charitable organisations to plan more effectively and advocate for support. Vitally, it helped funders, local authorities and companies focus their investment. However, much has changed since 2019. An unprecedented pandemic alongside a major cost-of-living crisis has touched the lives of every resident and community organisation across West Cumbria exacerbating existing disadvantage and creating new, additional hardship for many. This updated report for 2025 draws upon reputable data sources and stakeholder consultations to provide a summary of the current opportunities and challenges facing our communities. Commissioned by Sellafield Ltd it has been independently produced by Cumbria Community Foundation and serves as a complementary document to Sellafield Ltd’s Social Impact Strategy (2024). The report is accompanied by an interactive dashboard that is regularly updated to reflect the most current data used throughout this report. You can view the dashboard here: https://tinyurl.com/west-cumbria-dashboard Importantly, the report highlights ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of these unprecedented events, which have helped prevent the situation from becoming even more difficult. It also identifies opportunities for social impact investors to target their efforts and help our communities to thrive. Headline findings are presented around six themes which are summarised as follows: GROWING UP The experiences a child has during their formative years and as they transition to adulthood can significantly influence their future outcomes. Most schools in West Cumbria are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Additional investments have provided muchneeded support, e.g. Cumberland Council’s first Family Hub, Sellafield Ltd’s Transforming West Cumbria Family Wellbeing programme and supply chain initiatives aimed at helping to raise the aspirations of young people in schools. However, the cost-of-living crisis has meant that 7,081 children in West Cumbria (aged 0-19) now live in relative low income families, with a rising number accessing free school meals. There has been a significant increase in referrals to mental health services for young people, and the rate of children in care exceeds the national average. Autism, speech language and communication needs are also on the rise. Additionally, concerns about young people’s health persist, as obesity rates remain higher than the national average. EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS West Cumbria is internationally recognised as a centre of nuclear expertise, offering well-paid jobs, high-quality skills development and supply chain opportunities. Award winning further education providers work in partnership with business and industry to meet labour market needs. This is complemented by a thriving visitor economy and major regeneration initiatives. However, only 36.2% of working age people are qualified to Level 4 or above, lower than the national average. The number of people claiming Universal Credit is rising, and the rate of those out of work due to ill health has reached a record high. In addition, the region faces further challenges from an aging population and the outward migration of young people, which could impact the labour market both now and in the future. LIVING West Cumbria is one of the best places to live, boasting two world heritage sites, an area of outstanding natural beauty, world class visitor attractions and strong sense of community. House prices and crime rates remain lower than national averages, and there is a sporting and cultural offer that appeals to both residents and visitors alike. But daily life can be challenging for many people in West Cumbria, with some residents struggling to access the very assets and landscapes that make the area so attractive. An increasing number of people are ‘just about managing’ and are at risk of falling into significant financial hardship, particularly while mortgage and credit payments remain high. Households on low incomes, whether from work or benefits, have endured substantial increases in the cost of essential items like food and energy, leaving many in or on the edge of poverty. HEALTH AND WELLBEING The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, as well as their access to financial resources and social networks are important determinants of health and wellbeing. Health problems are compounded by poverty, resulting in health inequity. West Cumbria continues to demonstrate significantly high levels of chronic illnesses and has seen a growing mental health crisis. Rates of drug related deaths, self-harm and suicide are exceptionally high. The combined impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has negatively affected many factors that contribute to good health, including an increase in domestic violence. The region’s aging population poses significant current and future public health challenges. Additionally, several measures of disability in the area are above the national average. AGEING WELL For many older people, later life can be hugely enjoyable - presenting opportunities to volunteer, take up new hobbies and reap the rewards of years spent working and raising families. In contrast, there are concerning levels of poverty among some older people, who struggle to heat their homes and afford nutritious food. With a super-ageing population, the region has higher rates of long-term illness and disability, including a growing prevalence of dementia. West Cumbria also has higher than average rates of people providing unpaid care to those with long-term physical or mental health conditions related to aging. STRONG AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES West Cumbria’s strong sense of community spirit has helped many people navigate the challenges of the last few years. Working collaboratively to address issues has become the norm and VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations have helped to tackle a wide range of social, environmental and local economic issues. However, demands on the VCSE sector are increasing as the need for services rise and resources become more limited. Together we can make a positive difference. This refreshed report highlights that despite the many opportunities that West Cumbria has to offer, too many people live in poverty or face challenges and too few achieve their potential. However, these inequalities can be tackled if collective resources are directed towards activities and community assets that address critical social issues. The solutions to the challenges lie within the people and organisations in our communities. To achieve significant and lasting social change and economic resilience, all stakeholders must work together, with purpose, commitment and in new ways, recognising that each of us has a role to play in helping our communities thrive.
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 4 5 Contents Introduction _ __________________________________________________________________________________5 West Cumbria in Profile________________________________________________________________________6 West Cumbria in Profile: Opportunities_ ______________________________________________________8 West Cumbria in Profile: Challenges _ ________________________________________________________10 Growing Up____________________________________________________________________________________12 Employment and Skills________________________________________________________________________24 Living In West Cumbria________________________________________________________________________38 Health and Wellbeing_ ________________________________________________________________________52 Ageing Well_ __________________________________________________________________________________66 Strong and Connected Communities_ ________________________________________________________76 Call to Action _ ________________________________________________________________________________84 Introduction The first West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges report was commissioned by Sellafield Ltd and prepared by Cumbria Community Foundation in 2019. It paved the way for the development of the successful ‘Transforming West Cumbria’ social investment programme1, which targeted resourcing and support to many communities across West Cumbria and helped local charitable organisations to plan their work and make cases for support. Vitally, it helped funders, local authorities and companies focus their investment. However, much has changed since 2019. An unprecedented pandemic alongside a major cost-of-living crisis has touched the lives of every resident and organisation across West Cumbria exacerbating existing issues and presenting new difficulties to resolve. Yet in these challenging times, communities have once again demonstrated their resilience and optimism, proactively developing solutions to alleviate and solve the problems that they collectively and individually face. This updated report for 2025 considers the impact of our collective experiences over the last five years. It has been produced independently by Cumbria Community Foundation on behalf of Sellafield Ltd and is a companion document to Sellafield Limited’s Social Impact Strategy (2024)2. The report interrogates West Cumbria’s evidence base drawing upon reputable data sources and statistics to paint a picture of the current opportunities and challenges facing our communities. Headline findings are presented under six thematic headings and interested readers are encouraged to access the original source documents for further analysis or exploration. To add deeper context, we have consulted with local stakeholders and voluntary and community sector organisations to understand how the data truly reflects the lives of people living in West Cumbria. The report also highlights, via a series of case studies, the positive and proactive work being undertaken by West Cumbria’s voluntary and community sector, to tackle challenges head-on and explore opportunities with imagination and vigour. Whilst outwardly wealthy and healthy, some communities in West Cumbria continue to face real poverty and disadvantage. This report has been produced to inform people and organisations wishing to address these needs. We can all contribute to strengthening our communities. The solutions to the issues lie within the people and organisations in our communities. Achieving transformational change takes time, commitment and relies on effective collaboration. Tracey West Senior Social Impact Manager, Sellafield Ltd Dr Jenny Benson Director of Programmes & Partnerships, Cumbria Community Foundation 1 Cumbria Community Foundation: Transforming West Cumbria – social investment programme (mid-term report 2023). 2 Sellafield Ltd: Social Impact Strategy (2024). NOTE VCSE stands for Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise. It’s a term that refers to a wide range of organisations that work for social purposes, including charities, community interest companies, and community benefit societies. Refugees and asylum seekers in the area supported to feel part of the community by Time to Change West Cumbria and the Egremont Community Partnership.
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 6 7 West Cumbria in Profile FORMER ALLERDALE IN PROFILE FORMER COPELAND IN PROFILE 1 How life has changed in Allerdale: Census 2021, Office for National Statistics, https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000026/ 2 IOD and IMD, 2019: Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, https://cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17223/422771749.PDF 3 How life has changed in Copeland: Census 2021, Office for National Statistics, https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censuspopulationchange/E07000029/ 4 IOD and IMD, 2019: Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, https://cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17223/422771749.PDF 5 Westmorland and Furness Council has replaced the areas associated with Barrow Borough Council. Eden District Council and South Lakeland District. Local Government Reorganisation On 1st April 2023, Cumbria County Council and six unitary authorities were replaced by two new unitary councils: Cumberland Council; and Westmorland and Furness Council. Cumberland Council covers the former areas associated with Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council and Copeland Borough Council.5 For the purposes of this report West Cumbria covers the former areas of Allerdale and Copeland. Impact on datasets Any process of local government reorganisation is complex, affecting many public policy arenas, including local strategies and data collection methods. For example, data sets that were once available for Allerdale and Copeland are no longer produced, with data aggregated instead to a Cumberland, or indeed Cumbria level. Similarly, many prevailing strategies that were in existence on the 1st April 2023 are in the process of being updated and agreed. This report uses the most up-to-date data available. Where current data is not accessible, earlier sources are used to illustrate underlying trends. For the latest datasets, please refer to the accompanying interactive dashboard: https://tinyurl.com/west-cumbria-dashboard Size: 479 square miles Population: around 96,200 (24.7% aged 65 and over; 16.3% aged 15 and under)1 Population density: 77.4 per square kilometre Average House Price: £229,361 Unemployment rate: 2.6% (April 2025) Life Expectancy 2020-22: for men 77.13 years, for women 82.08 years Multiple deprivation: 7 Lower Super Output areas of Allerdale are in the most 10% deprived nationally. These are: Moss Bay: North, Ewanrigg: North, St Michael’s: Central, Moss Bay: South, Moorclose: East, St. Michael’s: North and East, Ellenborough: South.2 Size: 282.5 square miles Population: around 67,100 ( 23.1% aged 65 and over; 16.5% aged 15 and under)3 Population density: 91.7 per square kilometre Average House Price: £176,852 Unemployment rate: 2.4% (April 2025) Life Expectancy 2020-22: for men 77.16 years, for women 80.38 years Multiple deprivation: 3 Lower Super Output areas of Copeland are in the most 10% deprived nationally: These are: Sandwith: North East, Harbour: North, and Mirehouse: Central.4 Allerdale Copeland CUMBERLAND WESTMORLAND & FURNESS
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 8 9 WEST CUMBRIA IN PROFILE: OPPORTUNITIES 96% of primary schools and 92% secondary schools are rated as either Good or Outstanding in their latest Ofsted reports In West Cumbria, monthly earnings stood just above the UK average at 101% or £2,557 11,000 direct jobs at Sellafield Ltd and 40,000 jobs in the associated supply chain Vibrant visitor economy with 10.37 million visitors per year attracted to West Cumbria’s coastal and natural landscapes, which generates £1.1 billion in tourism revenue A 0.9% growth over the previous year in the West Cumbrian economy with 105,345 payrolled employees as of April 2025 Average monthly rents in Cumberland are £614, lower than the Northwest (£896) and Great Britain (£1,343) The VCSE in West Cumbria generates a total value of £163.2m through volunteering, in-kind support and donated goods Over 15,000 volunteers in West Cumbria provide on average of over 1 million hours of volunteering worth an estimated £10.8m Approximately 1,400 social enterprises employing 11,000 people and contributing £475m per annum to the local economy in Cumbria Cumberland has a higher proportion of people qualified up to Level 3 (29.8%) than nationally (20.4%) Through its designation as a Marmot Place, Cumbria is leading the way in addressing health inequalities and improving health A Place of Opportunity Globally recognised as a Centre of Nuclear Excellence with world class expertise in the nuclear sector; an exceptional skills base in specialist manufacturing and innovation; and a strong commitment to workforce wellbeing, development and training. Sellafield Ltd’s decommissioning and waste management programmes generate investment into the supply chain and their longstanding commitment to the VCSE, underpins partnership ambitions to promote entrepreneurship and sustainability. World leading research and development facilities including the National Nuclear Laboratory near Seascale, the £41.6m iSH Enterprise Campus in Cleator Moor and a new £4m Digital Gaming Hub in Whitehaven, are designed to build upon West Cumbria’s nuclear heritage and promote economic innovation and diversification. Deep water port facilities at Workington and a major leisure marina at Whitehaven. West Cumbrian farms contribute to Cumbria being the second largest producer of red meat and dairy of all the English counties, with farming families essential to ensuring the vitality of rural community life. West Cumbria is home to outstanding cultural heritage and landscape celebrated internationally with both the Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. Combined with the UK’s most popular long-distance cycle and walking routes in the C2C and Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, West Cumbria has a national reputation for exhilarating and accessible outdoor pursuits. New investments into public infrastructure and transport, including improved digital connectivity via the rollout of full fibre broadband. West Cumbria offers a good quality of life, with reasonable house prices, lower than average crime levels and outstanding mountain and coastal landscapes. High quality educational provision with 96% of primary schools and 92% secondary schools in West Cumbria rated as either outstanding or good. High quality training and post graduate providers, committed to working in partnership with industry, business, the public sector and the VCSE to provide young people with opportunities for qualifications, employment and personal growth. Strong sense of community, underpinned by committed VCSE organisations and community groups providing opportunities for people to come together, socialise and collectively develop solutions to local challenges. Targeted, multi-agency place-based initiatives designed to regenerate and improve local areas, access and amenities, in conjunction with residents. A network of excellent community facilities including village halls, community and family hubs and sport and leisure facilities, providing opportunities to support physical health and mental wellbeing for the whole community. Committed partnerships, involving respected VCSE organisations, working together to tackle new and entrenched health challenges and inequalities. Older people across West Cumbria dedicate their time and resources to support their families and communities providing care to others and volunteering to support local activities. Significant investment through the Transforming West Cumbria programme has helped promote entrepreneurship and ambition in both people and places across West Cumbria. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 10 11 WEST CUMBRIA IN PROFILE: CHALLENGES 32.1% of the population of Allerdale and 30.9% of the population of Copeland was aged 60 and over Between 2019 and 2022 there was an almost 100% increase in mental health referrals to Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust 7,081 children in West Cumbria aged under 19 are living in relative low-income families before housing costs Only a third of working age West Cumbrians are qualified to Level 4 or above Over one third of children in Year 6 across Cumberland are overweight or obese 9,799 (17.1%) people in Allerdale and 6,821 (16.6%) people in Copeland were accessing Universal Credit benefits, an increase of 8.7% and 10.5% respectively from the previous year 6.9% of people in West Cumbria are claiming Universal Health benefits 14,500 people in West Cumbria provide unpaid care to people with long term physical or mental health conditions One in 10 households in West Cumbria are single family households with lone parents People in West Cumbria have priority debts totalling £1.92m Parts of West Cumbria have higher than average percentages of pensioners in poverty, over 1 in 6 in Moss Bay and Moorclose, Maryport South and St Michael’s The rate of suicide (persons aged 15-74 years) in Cumberland is the second highest rate of all local authorities in England (2021-23 - Cumberland: 19, England: 10.7 per 100,000) Allerdale has 7 and Copeland has 3 Lower Super Output Areas featuring in the 10% most deprived areas nationally
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 12 13 Growing Up Experiences during the formative years of a child’s life and on their journey to adulthood can dramatically shape outcomes in later life. For some children in West Cumbria, their experiences during these early years are positive. They live in nurturing family environments, engage with learning and access enriching experiences in their community. For other children and young people, they are exposed to societal and familial challenges that curtail their opportunities and often develop into barriers that influence their lives for many years to come. Since 2019, all children and young people have been exposed to two experiences that have adversely affected their emotional and physical wellbeing. First, the closures of school and youth-based activities during the Covid-19 pandemic directly impacted upon their educational participation, the consequences of which are only now becoming apparent. When combined with limited opportunities to meet up with friends or engage in positive activities, children and young people now face increasing mental health issues which they are ill-equipped to deal with on their own. Second, the ensuing cost-of-living crisis has meant that, even with Covid-19 restrictions lifted, children and young people are living in family environments where significant financial pressures are shaping how they eat, are clothed, kept warm and engage in community life.1 Committed partnerships and organisations such as Always Another Way and Together We are working hard to tackle the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis, particularly in relation to the mental health of young people. • 96% of primary, infant and junior schools are rated as Good or Outstanding in their latest Ofsted reports • 92% of secondary schools have either Good or Outstanding ratings. • 6 secondary schools have improved their Ofsted rating since 2019, resulting in 13 out of 16 schools having either Good or Outstanding ratings.2 • Children and young people willing to step up and take positive action within their communities, often supported by VCSE organisations such as Cumbria Youth Alliance. • First Family Hub established in Whitehaven by Cumberland Council. Public, Health and VCSE sectors providing community-based support and guidance to families with children aged 0-19 years old (25 years old with SEND). • Businesses and primary schools working together to equip young people with knowledge, skills and aspirations, through the OneAim and Sellafield Ltd funded Primary Business Partnership. • Transforming West Cumbria programme delivered in partnership to improve the lives of vulnerable families, empower young entrepreneurs, encourage youth social action and increase mental health provision for young people (funded by Sellafield Ltd). • 7,081 children in West Cumbria aged under 19 are living in relative low-income families. • Numbers of children eligible for free school meals have increased. • Health and development of children negatively affected by school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. • West Cumbria has higher than national rates of children who are looked after. • A higher percentage of children aged 10-11 (year 6) and aged 4-5 (reception year) in Allerdale and Copeland are overweight or obese when compared with the England average. • Admissions to hospital for alcohol specific conditions for under 18s are far above the national average. • Significant increase in referrals for children and young people to mental health services. • Autism, speech language and communication identified as growing areas of need. 1 At a national level, a Child Poverty Taskforce is currently developing a Child Poverty Strategy. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-taskforce-launched-tokickstart-work-on-child-poverty-strategy 2 Of the 3 remaining schools, one is identified as requiring improvement. The latest Ofsted reports of 2 schools are currently unavailable. OPPORTUNITIES CHALLENGES 7,081 children in West Cumbria aged under 19 are living in relative low-income families.
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 14 15 Children and Young People in West Cumbria 19,800 children aged 0-19 live in Allerdale and 14,100 live in Copeland.3 Population projections for Cumberland suggest that by 2028 the number of 0–15-year-olds may decrease by -3,400 persons (-7.2% versus England -1.6%) and that the number of people aged 65+ may increase by 10,500 persons to 26.6% (England 20.7%).4 This reduction in the numbers of young people has a range of longer terms consequences for economic, social and community life in West Cumbria. These include for example emerging skills gaps for local businesses, potential closures of schools and a loss of vibrancy and energy. There are 10,395 families in Allerdale and 7,160 families in Copeland with 52.3% and 52.5% respectively being families that have two or more children.5 From 2011 to 2021 the percentage of lone-parent households increased slightly in Allerdale from 9.3% in 2011 to 9.7% in 2021 while in Copeland lone-parent households increased from 9.4% to 10.2% during the same period.6 Although West Cumbria is a great place to grow up for many children and young people, for those who grow up in poverty life can be harder, giving rise to many worrying statistics regarding their young lives. % Children ages 0-19 in relative low-income families 0.00% - 10.86% 10.87% - 15.31% 15.32% - 20.34% 20.34% - 27.11% 27.12% - 100.00% CHILD POVERTY There are 7,081 children West Cumbria aged under 19 living in relative low-income families before housing costs.7 While these figures are similar to UK averages (21.8%) the percentage of children is higher than in 2019. Now 22.5% of children in Allerdale and 20.1% of children in Copeland aged under 19 live in relative lowincome families before housing costs compared to 18.2% and 16.9% respectively in 2019. The map above illustrates the number of children aged 0-19 in relative low-income families in 2024.8 In recent years, the measurement of child poverty has been updated to provide a more accurate representation of the situation on an annual basis. Since the 2019 West Cumbria Opportunities and Challenges report was published, several factors have contributed to the significant rise in the number of children living in poverty. These include the introduction of the two-child benefit cap (affecting both child tax credits and universal credit), the national cost-of-living crisis, and the national fuel and energy crisis. Percentage 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Allerdale Carlisle Copeland Barrow Eden South Lakeland 4% 6% 22% 14% 9% 4% 4% 19% 9% 11% 2% 1% 26% 10% 8% 5% 6% 21% 8% 9% 3% 4% 20% 9% 6% 5% 4% 18% 8% District 3 Cumbria Intelligence Observatory: 2022 (citing Office for National Statistics Mid-2020 data). 4 “There is a lower proportion of residents aged 0-15 in Cumberland (Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle) compared to England and Wales and a higher proportion of residents aged 65+”: Cumbria Intelligence Observatory: 2024 (citing Office for National Statistics 2020 data). 5 Cumbria Intelligence Observatory: 2022 (citing HMRC August 2021 data). 6 How life has changed in Allerdale: Census 2021, Office for National Statistics. https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000026/ and How life has changed in Copeland: Census 2021, Office for National Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000029/ 7 Children Aged 0-19 in Relative Low-Income Families - DWP 2024 - Local Insights report https://localinsight.org/ 8 Local Insight, 2025. 9 https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics#content 10 Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 11 https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 12 https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 13 Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. FREE SCHOOL MEALS Across Cumberland in 2023/24, 21.2% of pupils (8,457 pupils) were eligible for free school meals. This represents just over a 3% increase since the previous year when the cost-ofliving crisis was at its most intense. Overall, the 2023/24 statistic is almost double that of 2018/2019 when 11.2% of children were eligible.9 Copeland has the highest proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals (23.6%). In some areas of Allerdale including Moorclose and Moss Bay there is 53.5% eligibility.10 CHILDREN IN CARE AND CHILDREN AT RISK Both Allerdale and Copeland have higher rates of children who are looked after than national rates. Using figures from 2021/2022, Allerdale has a 94.2 rating and Copeland has a 104.3 rating of looked after children per 10,000 of the population compared to a national rate of 67.11 Similarly Allerdale and Copeland have higher numbers of children subject to child protection plans when compared with Cumbria as a whole and nationally with Allerdale standing at 60.4 per 10,000 of the population; Copeland at 68.5; Cumbria at 53.8; and nationally 41.12 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS The health and development of children was negatively affected by school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Early development, psycho-social and language development are all cited as being negatively affected, and many of the public services that could help young children manage the negative impact of the pandemic have been dismantled. Challenges within the home environment, including not being dry at night or spending too much time on personal devices at home are manifesting in negative behaviours within the school environment notably anxiety and anger.13 Yet despite these challenges, school performance at both primary and secondary levels is commendable. According to Cumberland Council there are 93 primary, infant and junior schools in West Cumbria14 of which 96% have achieved an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. Of the 13 secondary schools identified by Cumberland Council, 92% have achieved either Good or Outstanding classifications. There are also two special schools in West Cumbria: Branthwaite Academy (formerly Cumbria Academy for Autism) and Mayfield School which gained an Outstanding Ofsted result in 2023. Child appearing anxious Child appearing stressed/angry Family mental health problem affecting child Family physical health problem affecting child Displaying worrying behaviour Data from 1,692 responses between 01/06/22-30/09/22 12%
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 16 17 NEET YOUNG PEOPLE In March 2025, there were 342 16-17 year olds classed as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) or whose status is Not Known (NK) in Cumbria (74 young people in Allerdale and 57 young people in Copeland). This rate is lower than the England rate of 5.1%.16 the rate across Cumbria is 3.2% and has decreased by 0.3 percentage points when compared with the previous year.17 ABSENTEEISM Nationally, 6.7% of possible sessions were recorded as absence in the Autumn term 2023/2024, a decrease from 7.5% in Autumn 2022/2023, but still higher than pre-pandemic rates which were consistently below 5%. 9.4% of pupils were persistently absent in the Autumn 2023/2024 (i.e. missed 10% or more sessions). This is a decrease from 24.2% in Autumn 2022/2023.18 These figures are replicated in Cumberland. In the Autumn term of 2023/2024, authorised absence rates stood at 5% or 224,834 authorised absence sessions, while the number of persistent absentees (10% or more missed) stood at 7,196. School Type of School15 Progress 8 score Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSE Attainment 8 score Latest Ofsted Rating (Inspection Date) England - -0.03 45% 46.3% - Cumberland - -0.28 37% 43.2% - Beacon Hill Community School Community School Well Below Average -1.18 4% 27.8% Good (2020) Cockermouth School Academy Converter Above Average 0.41 60% 53.6% Good (2024) Energy Coast UTC University Technical College Data not banded -1.48 20% 29.3% Good (2023) Keswick School Academy Converter Above Average 0.33 62% 52.8% Outstanding (2024) The Nelson Thomlinson School Voluntary Controlled School Average -0.11 45% 46.5% Good (2023) Netherhall School Community School Well Below Average -0.76 27% 39.2% Good (2023) St Joseph’s Catholic High School Academy Converter Below Average -0.31 33% 43.4% Requires Improvement (2024) Solway Community School Community School Well Below Average -1.29 12% 33.5% Good (2019) The Workington Academy Academy Sponsor Led Average 0.15 41% 43.1% Good (2022) Cumbria Academy for Autism Free Schools Special Well Below Average -1.65 11% 19.9% Not Available Mayfield School Community Special School Not Available Not Available Not Available Outstanding (2023) Millom School Community School Below Average -0.5 35% 40.7% Good (2022) St Benedict’s Catholic High School Voluntary Aided School Below Average -0.26 37% 44.4% Good (2020) The Whitehaven Academy Academy Sponsor Led Well Below Average -0.98 16% 34.5% Good (2023) West Lakes Academy Academy Sponsor Led Below Average -0.37 35% 43.7% Outstanding (2023) Across all secondary schools, destinations for young people finishing secondary education naturally include further education, including sixth form college but also include apprenticeships (between 6-17%) and employment (3-14%). 14 According to Cumberland Council there are also 3 nursery schools in Cleator Moor, Millom and Frizington and one Pupil Referral Unit in Distington. 15 Definitions regarding school classifications are available at https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/ find-a-school-in-england#SearchSchools 16 Young people are described as NEET if they are not in any form of education, employment or training. Those whose status is Not Known at the time of follow up are also classed as NEET. 17 Cumbria Labour Market Briefing May 2025: Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, 2025, https://elibrary.cumbria.gov.uk/Content/Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17224/4579011028.PDF Physical Health CHILDHOOD OBESITY Overweight or obese children continues to be a worrying issue in West Cumbria. In 2019/2020 the percentage of overweight and obese children in reception year was 30.8% in Allerdale and 34.1% in Copeland against an England average of 23%.21 More recently, figures from 2023/2024 suggest that across Cumberland for those children in reception year, almost a quarter of children (23.6%) are overweight or obese compared to 22.1% England.22 Recently, Cumberland Council indicated that for this age group, Silloth and Solway coast, and Egremont wards demonstrate significantly high levels at 41.2% and 33.3% respectively.23 For children in year 6 (aged 10 – 11 years) the percentage of children who were overweight or obese in 2019/2020 was 37% in Allerdale and 32.9% in Copeland.24 By 2023/24 across Cumberland this figure stood at 37.2% (England 35.8%)25 meaning that over one third of children are overweight or obese. Particular hotspots for this age group being St Micheal’s ward in Allerdale (53.8%), Black Combe and Scafell (46.2%), and Sneckyeat ward 46.2% in Copeland.26 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY One factor determining levels of childhood obesity is the extent to which children and young people regularly engage in physical activity. The Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines for physical activity are that children should take part in an average of 60 minutes or more of sport and physical activity a day. Across England, 47.8% of children and young people met this requirement in 2023/24. In Cumberland there has been a 6.8% increase in activity over the past year. 49.1% now meet this guideline, demonstrating that numbers are returning to pre-pandemic levels when this figure stood at 52.6%.27 More broadly, physical inactivity rates for women and girls, BAME populations, those with disability and those from socio economically deprived areas remain low with these four groups now becoming priority areas for Sport England.28 VAPING Vaping has emerged as a public health issue since 2019 and has become a particular issue for children and young people. In a survey of smoking and vaping attitudes in Great Britain (2023) among 11 - 17-year-olds, 20.5% had tried vaping (compared to 15.8% in 2022; 11.3% in 2021 and 13.9% in 2020). A total of 7.6% children and young people were currently vaping in 2023 (3.9% less than once a week, 3.6% more than once a week).29 A recent survey undertaken by Cumberland Council indicated that of 5,114 pupils, 5% of primary school pupils in year 6 had tried vaping, while 33% of secondary school pupils in years 8 and 10 had tried vaping potentially exposing children and young people to long term addiction, use of cigarettes or cannabis, and exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.30 SEND SUPPORT The percentage of children who received Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support in 2021 in Allerdale stood at 11.2%, while in Copeland the figure stood at 11.5%. Both figures are lower than the national average at 12.2%. The percentage of pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (ECHP) or Statement of SEND was lower than the national average (3.7%) in Allerdale (at 3.1%) but higher than the national average in Copeland (at 5.3%).19 Autism, speech language and communication needs are also identified as growing areas of need.20 18 https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/ pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england 19 Key Children and Young People Statistics Profile (Cumbria and Districts): Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, 2022 http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 20 Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 21 https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf 22 Obesity Profile: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2022/23 data, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/obesity-physical-activity-nutrition/data 23 Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 24 https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/ Internet/536/671/4674/17217/17219/4315312342.pdf
West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 18 19 ALCOHOL SPECIFIC CONDITIONS IN UNDER 18’S In 2019, it was reported that in West Cumbria the rate of admission episodes for alcohol specific conditions in under 18’s was highlighted as being some of the worst in England and this has continued in recent years. Both Allerdale and Copeland continue to have significantly worse rates than the England average for admission episodes.31 Between 2021/22 and 2023/24, the rate of hospital admissions for under 18’s per 100,000 was 22.6 nationally; 44.7 in Cumberland. In a recent survey across Cumberland, 24% of pupils of secondary age indicated that they had taken an alcoholic drink in the last 14 days.32 HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS DUE TO SUBSTANCE MISUSE33 The rate of hospital admissions due to substance misuse for those aged 15 to 24 years are decreasing and are now below national and Northwest rates per 100,000. In Cumberland, the rate stands at 44.6; the Northwest 49.4 and England 47.4. MENTAL HEALTH Since 2019, there has been a significant increase in the number of referrals for children and young people’s mental health services. Between 2019 and 2022 there was an almost 100% increase in referrals to Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust with children and young people facing long waiting times, limited choice of service and difficulties accessing specialist support.34 In addition there are reports that children and young people are experiencing loneliness, a trend that has continued an upward trajectory post pandemic.35 On the ground, the VCSE sector is facing increasing pressures in dealing with the volume of young people coming forward for support. According to Always Another Way, the total number of young people aged under 25 accessing its service in 2020/2021 was 16. By July 2023/2024 this figure had risen to 197. The reasons cited were friendships and the navigation around recognising healthy relationships, blended family issues and a feeling that no-one is listening. There were more hospital admissions per 100,000 population because of self-harm for young people aged between 10-24 years in Cumberland (348) than for the Northwest (282) and for England (266).36 There were also more hospital admissions in Cumberland (115.9) for mental health conditions for young people aged under 18 years than for the Northwest (88.7) and for England (80.2)37 25 Obesity Profile: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2022/23 data, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/obesity-physical-activity-nutrition/data 26 Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 27 Children and Young People Activity Data (Active Lives Survey): Sport England, 2023, https://activelives.sportengland.org/Home/ActivityData and Active Lives Children and Young People survey (2022-2023 academic year): Sport England, 2023 https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-inspiration/childrens-activity-levels-hold-firm-significant-challenges-remain 28 www.sportengland.org 29 Use of e-cigarettes among young people in Great Britain: ASH, 2023 https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-great-britain 30 Vaping Factsheet for Professionals Working with Young People: Cumbria Youth Substance Misuse: Cumberland Council, 2023 https://cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/537/38232/38404/45117145956.pdf 31 Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, 2023. 32 Family Wellbeing Data Analysis Summary: Cumberland Council, 2024. 33 https://fingertips.phe.org.uk 34 Being a Child in Cumberland – What we should focus on and what should we change: Cumberland Council, 2023). 35 https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/press-release/younger-brits-report-higher-levels-of-loneliness/ 36 Hospital admissions as a result of self-harm - 10-24 years 2023/24: Public Health England, 2022, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/ 37 Hospital admissions for mental health conditions <18 years 2023/24: Public Health England, 2022, https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/ WELL Project – Making a difference The WELL (Western Excellence in Learning and Leadership) project is an innovative education improvement programme in West Cumbria. It aims to sustainably improve educational outcomes for all young people in the area and particularly those facing disadvantage. All primary and secondary schools in the former districts of Copeland and Allerdale are engaging in, and benefiting from, WELL which offers schools a range of support addressing three areas – raising standards, closing the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, and wellbeing. Co-created with Cumberland Council and school leaders, the WELL Project is funded by Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) as part of the Sellafield Ltd Social Impact Multiplied (SiX) programme. Over £2.5m of grants have been awarded to schools through the WELL project over the last three years. Teachers at Thursby Primary School say that the pioneering scheme has transformed the way they work. Thursby Assistant Headteacher, Dave Colombi, said: “We’ve been on the WELL project for three years now and the impact and the difference it has made has been fantastic.” One of the main priority areas for the school has been addressing gaps in speech, language and communication, particularly in nursery and reception. All children are assessed at the end of reception, and the numbers reaching the required standard for both speech, language and communication (56%) and writing (59%) in July 2021 were the lowest for several years, largely as a consequence of the COVID pandemic. This has significantly increased to 100% in speech, language and communication and 90% in writing for 2023. The WELL project meant Thursby Primary School was able to implement Talk Boost – a catch-up programme for children who are struggling with talking and understanding words. Early years teacher, Surelle Butler, said: “Talk Boost has had a huge effect on the children’s vocabulary. We had a lot of children who were not as confident speaking as we would expect. This project has given us the opportunity to work in smaller groups, modelling turn taking and conversation.” The school has also introduced the Great Teaching Toolkit to improve and expand pupils’ vocabulary, in every year group and every area of the curriculum. “We focus on pupils’ articulation of vocabulary,” Assistant Headteacher, Mr Colombi, said. “It helps all the kids, including those of higher ability and in particular, disadvantaged children. It ensures they are using a word in the correct context, understanding it and applying it. “The impact in the short term is children have a greater understanding of the vocab that they’re learning. “In the medium term, they’ve got those foundations of vocabulary for moving on to the next year group. And long term, for staff it’s having that knowledge to be able to apply that for future year groups coming through the school.” The school received a glowing report from Ofsted inspectors during their latest visit. Watch the video case study here - https://youtu.be/a9TM01P8o20 CASE STUDY
Family Hub on the Harbour Family Hubs are a place-based way of joining up locally in the planning and delivery of family services. They bring services together to improve access and the connections between families, professionals, services, and providers. They offer support to families with children of all ages, from conception to 19 years or up to 25 years for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with a great Start for Life offer at their core. Cumberland Council uses its strong partnerships with a wide range of local organisations to create a holistic network of support for families. Co-production with families and services is key to service design and delivery. The Family Hub on The Harbour (named by local families) in Whitehaven is the first Family Hub in Cumberland and launched in April 2024. Family Hub on the Harbour is working towards delivering 24 ‘core’ services focussed on meeting the needs of our local families. Family Hub on the Harbour is successfully improving access and becoming a one stop shop for families to get the support they need across services. In the first eight months, the Family Hub on the Harbour has had over 5,000 individual attendances into the hub. Cumberland Council is building co-production into the way services are designed so they truly meet need. The Hub hosts in-person groups where parents, carers and children are consulted on a range of matters, such as the readability of literature or whether hubs are offering all the services families want. In the next 12 months they plan to roll out a further five family hubs across Cumberland delivering the 24 core services to build on this success. They will be supported by spoke hubs to reach families with support in their local area. CASE STUDY 20 Better Tomorrows Over the last decade, there has been a significant under-investment in youth work, resulting in the loss of many skilled youth workers and valued youth work places. Better Tomorrows was launched in 2021 with the aim of increasing the number of trained youth workers and increasing the number of young people able to access quality youth work. In West Cumbria, South Whitehaven Youth Partnership received support from Better Tomorrows to offer detached youth work over three years. The youth workers plan their sessions around young people and where they have agreed to meet. They work closely with the local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) while also using social media to visit areas where community members have raised concerns to help reduce anti-social behaviour. Kelly Bell, Youth Worker for South Whitehaven Youth Partnership, said: “We’ve been able to extend our youth work offer to those who wouldn’t have had access to youth workers before and helped several young people gain ASDAN awards as well.” ASDAN awards are nationally approved qualifications based around the development of personal, social and employability skills. Research from DCMS (Department of Culture Media and Sport) explored the link between weekly participation in youth clubs and six outcomes: educational outcomes, employment and career pathways, general health, mental health, life satisfaction and wellbeing, crime and anti-social behaviour. The research states: “There is a clear association between participation in youth provision and positive short-term outcomes relating to physical health and wellbeing, pro-social behaviours and education. There is also strong evidence that these short-term outcomes are sustained over decades, and compared with non-participants, people who attended youth clubs continue to score more highly for several of these indicators of wellbeing.” Other areas to benefit in West Cumbria include Millom, Workington, Cockermouth, Keswick, Maryport, Aspatria and Wigton. CASE STUDY 21 Activities for Children aged 0-5 Midwifery / Maternity Debt and Welfare advice Health visiting Mental Health Services Housing Youth Services (Universal and targeted) Substance misuse Youth Justice Services Infant Feeding Support Parenting Support SEND Support Stop smoking Oral Health Improvement Birth Register Early Language Domestic abuse support Support for separated parents 0-19 Public Health Services Peri-natal mental health/Parent Infant Relationships Targeted Family Support (Family Help) Nutrition and Weight Management Home Learning Environment Housing Core Family Hub Services
23 Centre for Leadership Performance Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) is a social enterprise working to develop Cumbria’s leaders for today and tomorrow. CforLP works in partnership with local businesses and schools to facilitate dialogue and relationships between young people and businesses across Cumbria, promoting a longitudinal, co-ordinated approach to the development of leadership skills, and addressing inequalities among young people in terms of opportunity, experience and aspiration. Employers can connect with young people at every stage of their learning journey to shape the skills needed for the future, broadening their horizons, increasing their aspirations, and linking learning to real life examples beyond their own social networks. The principal delivery routes for primary school engagement are Bright Stars - an enterprise scheme co-created and funded by local businesses - and Primary Business Partnership (PBP) - a free matchmaking and signposting service for primary schools and business across West Cumbria, funded by OneAIM and Sellafield Limited SiX (Social Impact Multiplied). The most recent Bright Stars programme - Spring 2024 - saw 760 pupils from dozens of schools engage with businesses to develop their own social enterprises designed to ‘make a difference’ in their local communities. PBP continues to grow with more than 170 local businesses involved and over 12,000 interactions between businesses and children working regularly with more than 90 schools in West Cumbria. Schools say that they struggle to identify opportunities and particularly value the PBP signposting. Businesses talk about their need for training and support, and how they appreciate guidance on supporting schools and engaging with primary age children. CASE STUDY 22
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