Our Children and Young People’s Plan is a three year document running from 2006 to 2009. (Downloads on the right) It describes what we are going to do to improve the lives of children and young people in Gateshead by describing how all partner agencies would work together to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Although the plan sets out our strategic direction for three year to 2009, early in 2007 we reviewed our plan for to measure progress against our priorities and the key outcomes and to take account of new circumstances.
To prepare the review we involved many organisations working with children and young people, talked to staff and to children and young people, looked at our performance in key areas and learnt from our Joint Area Review of children’s services which took place in 2006.
Our top ten priorities were revised to reflect changes in performance and new circumstances.
Our top ten priorities are:
- Children and young people feel safer in and have access to better parks, open spaces, activities and things to do.
- Children and young people feel safe from bullying, harassment and discrimination.
- Parents and carers are better equipped to bring up and promote positive outcomes for their children.
- We want children and young people to achieve high standards in education with a particular emphasis on raising the attainment of the lowest achievers
- Parents, carers, children and young people can access more joined up and preventative services in their communities.
- More young people participate in, and achieve better results in, education, training and employment post 16, with a particular focus on looked after children, young offenders and children with disabilities or special educational needs.
- Young people can access affordable housing that is appropriate to their needs and is of a decent standard.
- Children and young people lead healthier lifestyles.
- Children and young people with disabilities or additional educational needs, vulnerable children or children at risk for other reasons have access to a wide range of support services and are all enabled to achieve their potential within inclusive educational provision.
- Children and young people are offered a range of services to prevent inappropriate admissions to care, support them whilst in care and have increased choice of family based placements when leaving care.
