Joint area review

Joint area review of Report for children and young people Devon

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

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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 Devon 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?

Twelve inspectors visited Devon 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?

™ listened to a number of children and young people they met in youth clubs and projects, community centres, schools and children’s centres ™ 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 youth forums ™ heard from the council and other agencies what it thinks about the services it provides for children ™ read a lot of reports; and ™ visited Bideford and the Wonford area of Exeter 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 Devon?

™ Most children and young people are healthy but improvements in health are not at the same levels across the county. ™ Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities sometimes have to wait a long time to get the specialist help they need. ™ Although most children and young people are safe, and those who are subject to clear child protection referrals receive a service which meets their needs, not all those at the greatest risk of abuse and neglect get the help they require. ™ Most children and young people enjoy school, attend regularly and make at least satisfactory progress. Devon children and young people’s report 3

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How well are children and young people doing in Devon?

™ Standards of attainment in Devon are similar to the national average and many young people go on to further education, training or work at 16. ™ Children and young people who are looked after do not do as well as they should in their education and too many are missing from school. ™ The vast majority of children and young people behave responsibly and many contribute to decision-making that helps shape local services. ™ There is a low rate of offending by young people but there has been a rise in the numbers who re-offend. ™ Young people who want to live independently have difficultly finding a suitable and affordable place to live.

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your area?

™ Most children and young people feel Devon is a safe and enjoyable place to live; they feel safe at school and in their local community. ™ Many children and young people would like more things to do and places to go in their leisure time. This is particularly so for older teenagers. ™ It is hard to get to places if you live in a rural area and there is not enough public transport. ™ Most children and young people consider themselves to be healthy ™ It is generally easy to get help, information and advice.

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in my area?

™ Projects in school and in the community that promote healthy life- styles. ™ The help provided by health visitors to young children and their families and the support given to teenage parents. ™ The settled environments provided for children and young people who are looked after. ™ Support for parents and carers to help their children attend and enjoy school. ™ The efforts made to consult children and young people about the services in the area and to change things in response to what they say. ™ The work of youth service, which provides a good range of activities for 13–19 year olds. Devon children and young people’s report 4

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in my area?

™ Opportunities to get involved in the community and to do voluntary work. ™ Support for young people when they leave care. ™ Information, advice and counselling services, which help young people make decisions about their lives, their education and future careers.

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

™ The action taken to protect some children and young people from being neglected and abused. ™ Health and support services for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and their families. ™ Access to specialist mental health services for all those who need them. ™ Support to help more children and young people achieve higher standards at school, particularly those who are looked after. ™ The availability of leisure activities and social meeting places for young people in villages and in some towns. ™ Access to confidential sexual health advice and support in the more rural areas. ™ Specialist adult health and social care support for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities when the reach the age of 19. ™ Affordable housing for young people who want to live on their own.

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