Joint area review

Joint area review Report for children and young people in Hampshire

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Report for children and young people about the services they receive in Hampshire Hampshire children and young people’s report 1

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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 Hampshire in April and May 2007 so that they could get a feel of what life is like for children and young people in the area. The team was joined by a team of Young Inspectors for two days in the first week of fieldwork.

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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 (such as 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 a number of neighbourhoods in the area.

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What did the inspectors do?

The inspectors looked at how well services for children and young people made sure they were properly safeguarded as well as looking at specific services for young people who are being looked after by the local authority, those for children and young people with a learning difficulty or disability. They also looked at how well local services are addressing health inequalities, the effectiveness of services for young carers and the quality of provision for those aged 14–19 years.

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How well are children and young people safeguarded in Hampshire?

They are safeguarded well and most feel safe. Staff are well trained and deal well with any safeguarding issues. The number of children needing extra help to make sure they are safe is falling and those receiving extra support receive it for a shorter period of time. The numbers of young people who Hampshire children and young people’s report 2

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How well are children and young people safeguarded in Hampshire?

offend is falling and school attendance is high. There is a shortage of social workers in some areas.

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the council in Hampshire?

Children and young people who need looking after by the council get the right help and support to make their lives better, Schools support these children and young people well and they are encouraging more to have a say in the sort of services offered to them. Children and young people are staying for longer periods of time with the same carer and feel able to do their best.

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learning difficulty and/or a disability in Hampshire?

Most children and young people who have a learning difficulty and/or a disability do well in school and are encouraged to give their view on the service they get. Mental health and leisure services are not always available for those who want them.

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How well are services tackling health inequalities?

They are doing well. All workers are pulling together to improve things and this is having an impact in the fall in teenage pregnancy in Havant and in the good development of Children’s centres.

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provision and achievement for young people aged 14-19?

This is good. Young people do well at school and many stay on to study for university or go into work that is linked to training. The range of choice available is very good although a few areas of the County have less choice than others. Connexions provide a good service.

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How well do local services help young carers?

Young people identified by the council as young carers receive some outstanding support. Unfortunately not all carers are identified and this affects the quality of support made available to them.

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How well are local services led and managed?

Hampshire children and young people’s report 3

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How well are local services led and managed?

They are led and managed well. Every effort is made to involve children and young people and to make sure that the right sort of help is offered as early as possible by a range of agencies. The leadership of children’s services is good.

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Things that need doing straight away

Find good ways of telling children and young people in the area about this report.

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Things that need doing straight away

Make sure that an action plan is produced to help all local agencies fund and deliver children's services.

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Things that need doing straight away

Make sure there are enough social care staff in all areas of the county.

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Things that need doing over the next six months

Make sure there are enough opportunities for families with children with severe and/or complex needs to have a break from caring for their children.

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Things that need doing over the next six months

Make sure all young carers are properly supported.

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Things that need doing over the next six months

Improve leisure opportunities for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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