Joint area review

Joint area review of Report for children and young people Rotherham

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

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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 Rotherham 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 Rotherham in June 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; and ™ visited services/neighbourhood Rawmarsh 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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Inspectors found that:

™ the health of children and young people is improving ™ children and young people can get help quickly if they are mentally unwell ™ children and young people appear to be safe from abuse and exploitation ™ most children and young people who are looked after by the council and those who have learning difficulties or disabilities are very well supported Rotherham children and young people’s report 3

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Inspectors found that:

™ the majority of children and young people attend school and are making progress in their learning ™ educational standards gained by most children and young people are satisfactory ™ most young people behave well and responsibly, and some make a good contribution to their schools and the local community ™ young people are given help to stop them getting into trouble with the police; and ™ more young people over 16 are staying on at school or finding work or training than three years ago.

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Inspectors also found that:

™ too many young people are getting pregnant but the numbers are falling ™ the achievements of some young people between 11 and 14, boys and some from ethnic minority communities are not always as good as other young peoples’ achievements ™ access to training and employment opportunities for young people who offend is lower than that found in England as a whole ™ although the numbers of young people going into education, training and employment has increased well over the last three years, not as many young people as elsewhere in the country go into work places that provide training.

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your area?

Children and young people who met inspectors during the review say they feel mainly safe in school and in their communities. Most say that a lot has been done to stop bullying; some say they are still concerned about it. The majority of children and young people say they feel healthy and know what they need to do to keep healthy. Most children and young people say that they enjoy school and consider that they are doing well. Children and young people say that they are being asked their views and they are being listened to by the council.

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in my area?

™ Schools provide good health education, especially on healthy eating and exercise. Rotherham children and young people’s report 4

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in my area?

™ There is good support to young people who need advice on drugs, smoking and alcohol consumption. ™ There is good support for children and young people with mental health problems. ™ Vulnerable children and young people are kept safe from abuse and exploitation and supported in cases of domestic violence. ™ Most children who are in the care of the council are well supported, including those leaving care. ™ The majority of children and young people are making progress in their education, often at a faster rate than those in areas similar to Rotherham. ™ Most children with learning difficulties or disabilities are well supported in their lives and education. ™ More young people are going on to college, or moving into training or employment than three years ago. ™ Children and young people are strongly encouraged to contribute to the development of priorities for children in the council’s plans. ™ They are encouraged to be involved in, and make a positive

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in my area?

contribution to their local communities through opportunities such as the youth cabinet and the junior rangers.

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

™ A small number of children who are in the care of the council have too many changes of social worker. ™ There are not enough foster carers to meet the variety of needs of all children in care. ™ Young carers get good support from the YMCA but more people need to know about the service as there is space for more to benefit. ™ Young people who need occupational therapy services sometimes have to wait a long time. ™ Education and training opportunities do not meet the needs of all young people who are aged over 16, including for some young people with learning difficulties or disabilities. ™ Not enough young people aged 19 achieve a level 2 qualification.

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