Setting

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

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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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham City in February and March 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 and listened to a number of children and young people they met at children’s centres, schools, leisure facilities and youth clubs especially in the area of Broxtowe and Bells Lane ™ 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 Council ™ heard from the council and other agencies what it thinks about the services it provides for children ™ read a lot of reports ™ visited services used by young people 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 Nottingham

™ The health of children is improving and is usually good, but many are overweight and too many five year olds have bad teeth. ™ Many more teenage girls have babies than is found in other places. ™ Children and young people are doing much better in school and more are going into employment, training or college. Too many are still not getting enough qualifications to help them do well in working life. ™ Most children and young people feel they get the support they need to deal with the risks and challenges they face in their lives. ™ The opportunities children and young people have to make decisions about their school and their community are increasing. Nottingham children and young people’s report 3

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How well are children and young people doing in Nottingham

™ More young people are involved in anti-social behaviour and crime than elsewhere.

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your area?

™ They enjoy being involved in local decision making and influencing how services are delivered. ™ Most enjoy school and feel it is easy to get help. ™ Racial incidence and bullying are dealt with effectively in schools. ™ Not all schools provide enough sex and relationship education. ™ Those who have been excluded from school or involved in crime feel well supported by teams set up to support them. ™ Older young people feel there are insufficient activities for them.

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in my area?

™ The council and other agencies have found good ways of working together to make Nottingham a better place for young people to live. ™ Schools and the council do their best to make sure all children are treated equally regardless of their social or ethnic background. ™ Parents and carers receive good information to help them keep their children healthy and safe. ™ Children and young people are generally kept safe from abuse. ™ Work with children and young people at risk of drug and alcohol abuse is helping some young people to change their behaviour for the better. ™ Particular groups of children are helped in ways that suit them, especially those who do not attend school for any reason. ™ Services to reduce anti social behaviour and crime are having a positive effect in some local areas.

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

™ Educational attainment is too low to improve the choices and life chances of children and young people. ™ Support for families in crisis and where there is domestic violence is not always good enough. ™ Young carers do not have enough support in some areas of the city. ™ There are not enough recreation and leisure activities for young people over the age of 14.

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