Joint area review

Joint area review of Report for children and young people

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Report for children and young people about the services they receive in Wigan

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• Being healthy • Staying safe • Enjoying and doing well at school and as they grow up • Making a positive contribution to society • Being successful in whatever they choose to do when they are adults Wigan children and young people’s report 2

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Why should I read this?

The law says that inspectors must look at and then report on how well local services serve children and young people in an area. This is called a “review”. Inspectors visited your area recently. You might like to read this, or the full report which you can find on Ofsted’s website, to find out what they had to say.

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What did the inspectors do?

Nine inspectors visited Wigan in September 2006 so that they could get a feel of what life is like for children and young people in the area. They:

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What did the inspectors do?

™ talked/listened to a number of children and young people ™ talked with adults working with children and young people (like social workers, teachers, youth workers, nurses, doctors, police officers and councillors) ™ spoke to parents and other people caring for children ™ met with school councils’ representatives and members of the Youth Parliament ™ heard from the council and other agencies what it thinks about the services it provides for children ™ read a lot of reports ™ visited services across Wigan and specifically some in Norley to see things for themselves.

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What did the inspectors do?

The inspectors also looked at how well particular children are doing, like those children in council care or those who have a learning difficulty or disability.

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How well are children and young people doing in Wigan?

™ Children and young people are generally healthy and their health is gradually improving. ™ Too many young women are getting pregnant. ™ Children and young people appear to be safe from abuse or exploitation. ™ Children who are looked after by the council are well supported. ™ Children get off to a good start in learning before they reach school. ™ The educational achievement of most children and young people at school is good. ™ Many young people make a good contribution to life at their school and some also get involved in improving things in their local community. Wigan children and young people’s report 3

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How well are children and young people doing in Wigan?

™ Young people are given good help to stop them getting into trouble with the police. ™ Young people get a lot out of the time they spend with the youth service. ™ More and more young people over 16 are staying on at school or college or finding work. ™ Fewer young people in Wigan who have been in trouble with the police are in education, training or work than in other areas.

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your area?

™ Children and young people enjoy going to school and feel safe there. Although there is some bullying, pupils and their teachers work hard together to stop it. ™ For many young people there is a good range of sporting facilities for them to use, but they would like more places where they can meet together for other activities. ™ Although the views of children and young people are taken notice of in schools, they would like to be consulted more about things which affect them outside school. ™ Children and young people who are looked after by the council, those with learning difficulties or disabilities and young people who were going through difficult periods in their lives felt that they were well supported by adults working together.

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in my area?

™ Schools and health bodies are working well together to help children develop healthy lifestyles, particularly healthy eating and exercise. ™ There is good support for young people who need advice on drugs and alcohol consumption. ™ Young people with disabilities are supported well to stay healthy. ™ Good support is provided for families including young parents. ™ Vulnerable children and young people are kept safe from abuse or exploitation. ™ Children are very well prepared for starting school. ™ Education provision in schools and colleges is good. It is getting even better by improving the opportunities for children with disabilities, and widening the choice of subjects in secondary schools. Wigan children and young people’s report 4

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in my area?

™ Children and young people have been involved well in shaping the Wigan Children and Young People’s Plan and in some other initiatives. ™ Children and young people who are in the care of the council are well supported, including those leaving care. ™ More young people are going into education, training or work at the age of 16.

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What things are not so good for children and young people?

™ Some secondary schools don’t provide the sex and relationships education that young people need. ™ Information for parents and young people about what is available for them is not available in different formats and languages to ensure everyone can understand it. ™ There are not enough foster carers to meet the variety of needs of all children in care. ™ Children and young people with disabilities have limited opportunities to take part in recreational activities.

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