The Children & Young People Now Awards 2026 has now opened for entries.
The CYP Now Awards – celebrating their 20th anniversary this year – recognise excellence and innovation across the wide range of services for children, young people and families.
To mark this milestone, the awards will be honouring the 20 individuals that have made the biggest contribution to improving the lives of children over the past 20 years.
The 20 Changemakers for Children will be selected by the CYP Now Awards’ judges and readers can nominate people for consideration by the expert panel.
In addition to the Changemakers for Children, there are 24 categories to enter covering every aspect of children’s services, from early years to youth work, education to social care.
There are several new categories to enter in 2026, including the SEND Award for a service delivering exceptional life outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, and the Sport and Healthy Living Award for a project harnessing the benefits of sport for children’s physical and mental health.
In addition, outstanding work to support positive outcomes for the near one-million 16- to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training will be recognised by the Tackling Youth Inactivity Award.
Last year, there were more than 400 entries, with Lancashire County Council’s Virtual School Employment Support Team taking home three awards at a glittering celebration evening attended by 500 guests and hosted by TV presenter and author Ashley John Baptiste.
In addition to the coveted Public Sector Children’s Team Award, the Lancashire team won the Children in Care and Advice and Guidance categories at the awards ceremony.
This year’s awards will be held on Thursday 26 November at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith.
In addition to the awards ceremony, there will be a drinks reception, speeches, entertainment and a three-course meal.
The closing date for entries to the awards is 5pm on Monday 15 June.
Entries will be assessed by a panel of experts drawn from across the children, young people and families sector before the shortlist is announced in August. Shortlisted entries are then reviewed by a panel of young judges whose scores will be added to those of the practitioner judges to decide the overall winners.
CYP Now editor, Derren Hayes said: “Since it was launched in 2006, The CYP Now Awards has championed the work of individuals, teams and organisations providing vital support for children, young people and families across the UK. This year’s awards promise to be the best yet, with several new categories launched, a streamlined entry process and a chance to recognise 20 Changemakers over the past two decades.”
To find out more about the CYP Now Awards and to apply, go to www.cypnowawards.com
Source: CYPNow
