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 Barnsley

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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 Barnsley 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 Barnsley in July and September 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 ™ 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, children's fund ambassadors, youth council representatives, young carers, and representatives of the multi-cultural youth committee ™ heard from the council and other agencies what it thinks about the services it provides for children ™ read a lot of reports ™ visited services in the neighbourhood of Dearne South 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 Barnsley

™ most children and young people are beginning to do better than they did in the past. They are safer and most are more healthy. Children of all ages are achieving better at school but still not doing as well as children in other parts of the country ™ children and young people are fully involved in decisions that affect them and they make a good contribution to their local communities Barnsley children and young people’s report 3

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How well are children and young people doing in Barnsley

™ more children than elsewhere are immunised against some diseases and good things are happening to help young people improve their health ™ more children have bad teeth and more teenage girls become mothers than elsewhere ™ children and young people get good help when they are sad or angry or when big changes are happening in their lives ™ most children who are in council care live in family situations, they are kept safe and have regular health checks ™ many young people do not go to college or get jobs at 16 ™ there are good opportunities for sport and recreation but not all children and their families know about them ™ some children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have difficulty attending hospital appointments and finding enough recreational activities.

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your area?

™ There are excellent opportunities for young people to get involved in making decisions and adults act on their suggestions. ™ Most children say they enjoy school. ™ Barnsley is a safe place to live. ™ They feel safe at home and at school but there occasionally, in some local communities, instances of bullying and racial harassment. ™ There is not enough to do in the evenings during the week. ™ There is not enough housing for young people leaving care and for those with disabilities.

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in my area?

™ All adults working with children and young people want the best for them and have a very clear plan of how they will work together to make Barnsley even better. ™ The council and other agencies listen to young people’s views and then make changes to improve the services they provide. ™ Agencies work well together to keep children safe and there is good support and advice for families who may be having difficulties. ™ Healthy lifestyles are encouraged and there are good opportunities for physical activity in the community and at school. Barnsley children and young people’s report 4

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in my area?

™ There is good specialist support for young people who need help on matters such as sexual health, pregnancy, drugs and alcohol. ™ Education in schools is improving and many young people are doing better in tests as well as getting good support to develop healthily, socially and emotionally. ™ Good things are happening to reduce anti social behaviour and crime.

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

™ There is not enough accommodation for young people who are leaving care, who have disabilities or have committed crimes. ™ Some children who are in difficulty or need extra help do not have a social worker to work with them soon enough. ™ There is not enough support for young people who need speech and language therapy and those who have mental health needs at the age of 16.

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