Joint area review

Joint area review of Report for children and young people Haringey

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

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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 Haringey 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?

Ten inspectors visited Haringey in May and 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 in the neighbourhoods of Northumberland Park and West Green 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 Haringey?

™ Overall children and young people are now achieving much better than they did previously. They are healthier and safer; young children make more progress and young people do better in school by the age of 16; they have more opportunities to participate in their communities, make their views known and influence what happens within their schools and across the borough; and they are better prepared for working life. ™ Most children and young people are healthy and they receive treatment when they need it. There are some good projects that are helping young people to improve their health. ™ Many children and young people behave responsibly in their schools and in their communities. However, a minority do not. Haringey children and young people’s report 3

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How well are children and young people doing in Haringey?

™ Although children and young people do not always do as well as those across London or in other parts of the country, many, including those who arrive in Haringey from other countries, learn well in school. However, some children and young people do not attend school regularly. ™ Most children and young people who are in the care of the council and those with learning difficulties and disabilities do well at school. ™ More young people are now staying on into education or training after the age of 16, though this figure is not yet high enough.

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your area?

™ They feel generally healthy. ™ They generally feel safe at school and in the area where they live, but often feel unsafe in other parts of Haringey or in public spaces like parks. ™ 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. ™ 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 good range of health services for children and young people and their families where it is usually easy to get help. ™ 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 working well 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. Haringey children and young people’s report 4

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in your area?

™ Children and young people who are in the care of the council receive good support and they are consulted about what they need and how well their needs are met. ™ Children and young people from different backgrounds and countries usually receive good support to help them make the most of their education; many do well. ™ When young people offend or are in trouble with the police, they are helped to make a new start and many do not get into trouble again. ™ Young people now have more different courses to choose from after the age of 14; they usually receive good advice about these and about the careers open to them.

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

™ There are sometimes delays in helping children when systems and procedures are not followed properly or because there are too many changes of staff. ™ 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. ™ There are not enough opportunities for young people to get experience of working while at school or college in order to prepare them for getting a job later. ™ Not all children and young people are fully consulted about decisions that affect them. ™ Some young people who have disabilities do not receive sufficient support after the age of 19. ™ The youth service does not provide enough interesting and exciting activities for enough young people.

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