Setting

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

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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 North Tyneside 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?

Seven inspectors visited North Tyneside 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/listened to a number of children and young people they met in youth clubs and projects, community centres, schools and children’s centres and in the areas where they live ™ 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 and Youth Forums ™ heard from the council and other agencies what it thinks about the services it provides for children ™ read a lot of reports ™ visited the Howdon/Battle Hill and West North Shields areas of North Tyneside 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 North Tyneside?

™ Most children and young people are healthy. Babies and young children are healthier than in similar parts of England. However, too many children are overweight or obese, teenage conception rates, though reducing, are still high, and too many expectant mothers smoke during pregnancy. ™ Children and young people are safe in their schools and in their local area, including on the roads where there are now fewer accidents. North Tyneside children and young people’s report 3

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How well are children and young people doing in North Tyneside?

Those children and young people who are most at risk are well protected. ™ Most children and young people enjoy school, attend regularly and most make satisfactory or good progress. Their results at age 16 have improved in recent years. However, some groups, such as boys do not always achieve as well as they could. ™ Children and young people who are looked after by the council do not always do as well at school as others in their age groups, but they get many opportunities to take part in activities and to talk about how things could improve. ™ After the age of 16, young people who take part in vocational courses achieve well, some who study for A levels do very well, but their results sometimes depend on which college or school they attend. ™ More young people are staying on at school are college after the age of 16, but too many still drop out of education or training when they are 17. ™ Fewer children and young people are getting into serious trouble with

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How well are children and young people doing in North Tyneside?

the police ™ Very many children and young people have the chance to contribute to decisions made in North Tyneside about issues that affect them and to talk to those who make decisions, for example the Mayor.

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your area?

™ They feel healthy, know how to eat healthily and have good facilities for sport and other physical activities. ™ They generally feel safe in their schools and where they live. However, some say that they feel less safe on the streets or on the metro. ™ They generally enjoy school and feel that they do well and are well taught. ™ Many children and young people are pleased that they get the chance to make decisions in their school through their school council, and also to take part in making their local areas better for young people. However, they say that they do not always know what happens to their suggestions. ™ Many say that they have very good opportunities and facilities for sport and leisure and that the costs for those under the age of 16 are reasonable. However, some young people find it difficult to find out North Tyneside children and young people’s report 4

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your area?

what is available and some feel that they would like more spaces to relax and socialise. ™ Young people say that they receive good advice about courses and careers open to them.

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in my area?

™ There is a good range of health services for children and young people and their families, which are usually easy to reach, for example at children’s centres and through drop-in centres for older young people. There have been some good projects to help young people who use drugs, drink alcohol or who need advice. ™ Children and young people are well protected and the council and other organisations work together closely to support those children, young people and their families who need help. ™ Educational standards in schools and at the college are improving. There is now a greater variety of courses available for young people over the age of 14. As a result, more are successful, fewer are being excluded from school and more are staying on in education, training or employment. ™ Leisure and sports facilities are generally good and there are good subsidies, particularly for those under the age of 16.

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in my area?

™ The council, the police, the youth service and other organisations work well together in some parts of North Tyneside to prevent children and young people getting into trouble with the law and to set up projects and activities for them. ™ The council and many of the organisations with which it works take the views of young people seriously, by consulting them regularly and listening to their views. They are also beginning to involve them more in monitoring whether the plans or projects are actually making a difference.

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

™ Some groups of children and young people do not yet do well enough at school or college. ™ Despite the fact that children and young people say that they feel healthy, too many are overweight or obese and too many expectant mothers still smoke when they are pregnant. North Tyneside children and young people’s report 5

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

™ Children and young people who have the responsibility to care for members of their family do not all receive the support that they need. ™ Some young people who have disabilities find it difficult to find a job once they are aged 19.

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