Joint area review

Joint area review of Report for children and young people

p.1

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

p.1

• 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 Plymouth children and young people’s report 2

p.1

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.

p.2

What did the inspectors do?

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

p.2

What did the inspectors do?

™ listened to a number of children and young people they met in youth clubs and projects, children’s centres, and schools ™ 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 the Stonehouse area of Plymouth to see things for themselves.

p.2

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.

p.2

How well are children and young people doing in Plymouth?

™ Children and young people are generally healthy but improvements in health are not equal across the city. ™ Children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities wait too long for therapies and equipment. ™ Children and young people appear generally safe. ™ Care leavers are supported well. ™ Most children and young people enjoy school, attend regularly and make good progress. ™ Looked after children and children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities achieve well in school. Plymouth children and young people’s report 3

p.2

How well are children and young people doing in Plymouth?

™ The vast majority of children and young people behave responsibly and many have the opportunity to give their views about services. ™ Young people achieve well in work-based learning, although the number of young people who go into employment without training is increasing. ™ Some young people who want to live independently, particularly those who have offended, have difficulty finding a suitable and affordable place to live.

p.3

your area?

™ Most children and young people enjoy their lives in Plymouth and feel safe in their local area. ™ Most children and young people consider themselves to be healthy. ™ It is generally easy to get help, information and advice. ™ Children and young people would like more activities, in school and outside school, and would like activities that do not cost a lot. ™ Children and young people do not find it very easy to have a say about services in their local area.

p.3

in my area?

™ Projects in schools and in the community which promote healthy lifestyles. ™ Health support for families, particularly the work of health visitors. ™ Sexual health services for young people. ™ Help for children and young people who may be at risk of abuse. ™ Support for parents and carers to help their children attend and enjoy school. ™ Early years’ education. ™ School support for children who have a diagnosed learning difficulty and/or disability. ™ Support for children and young people to manage changes in their lives, such as moving to new schools. ™ The reduction in numbers of children and young people who are excluded from school, or who offend. ™ The advocacy service for looked after children. ™ The provision of work experience, personal development and enterprise for young people. Plymouth children and young people’s report 4

p.3

in my area?

™ Support for young people by the Connexions service. ™ Support for care leavers.

p.4

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

™ The low number of specialist children’s nurses in Derriford Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. ™ The long waiting lists for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy for most children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. ™ Respite care and leisure services for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. ™ The wide variation in the quality of youth services. ™ Access to specialist mental health services for all children and young people who need them. ™ The length of time families can wait for assessments for family support to be completed. ™ Getting access to services that take into account the cultural needs of black and minority ethnic children, young people and their families. ™ The consultation of children and young people when services are being planned, so that their views can make a difference. ™ The consistency of the education and training services to children and

p.4

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

young people aged 14-19. ™ Affordable housing for young people who want to live independently.

p.4