Setting

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

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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 Sunderland 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?

Eight inspectors visited Sunderland in December 2006 and January 2007 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 in the neighbourhood of Pennywell/Ford 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 Sunderland?

™ most children are generally healthy ™ children can get help, advice and information easily and can find a trusted person to talk to ™ most children feel safe ™ children who are looked after by the council get good care in foster care and children’s homes ™ most children are doing well at school and enjoy their leisure; hardly any children get excluded from school ™ get good support to continue learning and get a job. Sunderland children and young people’s report 3

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your area?

™ They were proud to live in Sunderland. ™ They said they had lots of chances to be asked about decisions that affect their personal lives and the areas where they live and adults did listen to what was said; especially the Youth Parliament, the Children’s Trust Board and the Children’s Services Leadership Team. ™ Putting forward their views and ideas does make a difference and things do change. ™ There are plenty of sports activities, youth clubs and other things to do outside of school. ™ They were concerned about racist bullying in some schools and some parts of the city which stopped them from enjoying life.

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in my area?

™ There is good advice and support for parents to help them keep their children safe and healthy. ™ Families who have a disabled child get very good help and support. ™ Nurseries and children’s centres for small children are very good. ™ Education, social care, health and voluntary agencies are working well together at top level to make sure that the best help is available for children and young people and their families. ™ A lot more young people now continue in education, employment or training after the age of 16; they get lots of help from Connexions.

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

™ The high number of young women who get pregnant and don’t continue with their education or training. ™ The effects of racism on the lives of children and young people from black and minority ethnic groups at school and in their communities. ™ There are a lot of health problems for some mothers and children. ™ Some children from very needy families don’t always get the specialist help they need quickly.

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