Children & Young People
Our vision:
For North Somerset's children and young people to be happy, healthy and safe and achieve their full potential. This is the keystone to their future personal success and the contribution they make to their communities.
The Single Plan for Children & Young People is overseen and developed by the Shadow Children's Trust Management Board that is also a cross cutting delivery partnership of the North Somerset Partnership. There are a number of actions that contribute specifically to the implementation of the Community Strategy.
Key priorities:
- Reduction in the number teenage conceptions (under 18s)
- Improve placement stability of Looked After Children
- Academic attainment of Looked After Children
- Continued improvement of the overall standards of achievement for all young people
- Further development of 14-19 learning and employment opportunities
- Affordable housing for young people
Our progress:
- The under-18 conception rate, although higher than hoped, is under the national average and the rate of reduction places North Somerset in the top quarter for performance
- Foster placements continue to increase
- North Somerset schools are at, or above, the average for improvement in outcomes in the 2005/06 academic year
- Work to give young people better opportunities to develop their skills and attributes through 14-19 learning provision continues
- Trainer flats and supported housing arrangements are in place to help young people who are in care or cannot live with their own families to develop skills they need in adulthood
- Work continues to provide placement/employment opportunities to young people leaving care or with learning disabilities
The priorities within the Single Plan for Children & Young People are reviewed on an annual basis with Government Office South West and Department for Education and Skills.
Following the lastest review and new government requirements the key priorities for the coming year will be:
- Development and implementation of a comprehensive Child & Adolescent mental Health Service, with early intervention
- Reduce obesity and increase physical activity
- Child protection and the development of a local Safeguarding Children's Board
- Improving Looked After Children placement stability and choice
- Maintaining the momentum of high attaining schools and general improvement at Key Stage 4
- Attainment and exam entries of Looked After Children
- Reducing absence from school
- Reducing bullying by active interaction
- Reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training
- Developing the vocational offer
- Further developing the housing services for care leavers and vulnerable young people
- Increasing the support in employment opportunity for young people with special educational needs and disabilities