Joint area review

Joint area review of Report for children and young people

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Report for children and young people about the services they receive in Newcastle upon Tyne

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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 Newcastle upon Tyne 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 Newcastle in November and December 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 ™ heard from the council and other agencies what they think about the services they provide for children ™ read a lot of reports; and ™ visited services in the neighbourhoods of Benwell and Grainger Park and Walker 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, for example 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 Newcastle?

™ Overall children and young people are now achieving better than they did previously. Young people are healthier and safer; do better in school by the age of 16; have an increasing number of opportunities to participate in their communities, make their views known and influence what happens within their schools and across the borough; and are better prepared for working life. ™ Most children and young people are fairly healthy and they receive treatment when they need it. However, too many children and young people are overweight or obese, teenage conception rates are too high and too many expectant mothers smoke during pregnancy. ™ Many children and young people behave responsibly in their schools and in their communities. However, a minority do not. Newcastle upon Tyne children and young people’s report 3

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How well are children and young people doing in Newcastle?

™ Although children and young people do not always do as well as those in other counties in the north-east of England or in other parts of the country, many, including some who arrive in Newcastle from other countries, learn well in school. However, some groups of children and young people do not yet achieve well enough. ™ Some young people do not attend school regularly and some who are excluded from school miss out on their education. ™ Most children and young people who are in the care of the council and those with learning difficulties and disabilities do quite well at school. However, though those in the care of the council do not gain high enough qualifications age 16, and many do not stay on at school or training after the age of 16. ™ Overall, however, more young people are now staying on into education or training after the age of 16, though this figure is not yet high enough and too many drop out at age 17.

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your area?

™ They feel generally healthy. ™ They generally feel safe at school and in the area where they live, but sometimes feel unsafe in other parts of Newcastle. ™ They generally enjoy school and feel that they do well, though some say that they find it difficult to learn when others in the class do not behave well. ™ Many children and young people like the fact that their school council allows them to make decisions about what happens in school. ™ However, although some feel that their views are listened to about what happens outside their school, others say that they do not have that opportunity and would welcome the chance to make a greater contribution. ™ Many say that they receive good advice about their choice of career and enjoy the chance to follow practical courses in school and at college.

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in your area?

™ There is a range of health services for children and young people and their families where it is usually easy to get help. These services are beginning to make a greater difference to the health of children and young people in Newcastle. Newcastle upon Tyne children and young people’s report 4

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in your area?

™ Children and young people are usually well protected, and council services and other agencies have got better at working together to support those who need help. ™ The council and the police are beginning to work with schools to make young people feel safer and this is making a difference. ™ Education in schools has improved and many children and young people now make better progress and some do well. ™ Children and young people who are in the care of the council receive good care overall. ™ Young people with learning difficulties and disabilities who have profound and multiple needs, and their families, receive good support. ™ When young people offend or are in trouble with the police, they are helped to make a new start. ™ Young people now have more different courses to choose from after the age of 14, including very practical courses; they usually receive good advice about these and about the careers open to them.

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in your area?

™ The youth service has improved and now provides a wider range of activities for children and young people.

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

™ There are sometimes delays in helping children who have problems. ™ Some children in primary schools do not learn as well as they could, and too many young people still leave school without any qualification at age 16. ™ Not all children and young people are fully consulted about decisions that affect them. This includes children and young people who are looked after by the council. ™ Some young people who have disabilities do not receive sufficiently coordinated support and some find it difficult to find suitable education and training once they are 18. ™ Children and young people who have the responsibility to care for members of their family do not get sufficient opportunities to take a break and socialise with other young people.

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