NEWSROOM

On the back of last year’s Ofsted success, which saw Telford & Wrekin Council retain its outstanding status, the local authority will present the new three-year Children and Young People’s partnership strategy to members when they meet on Thursday 13 February.

Members will be asked to support the strategy, which will not only look to meet the outcomes of new Government policy and reform, but also bring together the organisations delivering services for children and young people across Telford and Wrekin. The proposals are based on what local children and young people, their parents and carers share about the outcomes they want for themselves.

By bringing organisations under the umbrella of one strategy, clear common aims have been proposed, which will ensure children and young people can start well, stay well, keep safe, enjoy and achieve.

The strategy takes a whole-child approach, to maximise the outcomes for all children and young people, with a focus on narrowing the gap for those who are marginalised or in need, for whatever reason.

A series of objectives for each aim have been developed. This includes but is not limited to supporting all children to be ready for school, improving children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, encouraging aspirations in all children and young people – enabling them to gain the skills they need to fulfil their potential and creating conditions, so every child is safe.

To embed the strategy in its first year, the council will deliver a number of priority programmes, including developing a new family help service, which will transform the existing early help support provided through family hubs. Its focus will be to help families get the support they need early to prevent situations escalating or reaching crisis mode.

Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education, Employment and Skills, said:

“We’ve created the strategy on the back of our strong working relationships with key partners across the Borough.

“We all have the same drive, which is to continually improve the health and opportunities for all children and young people.

“Key to the strategy’s success is working together and ensuring children and young people as well as parents and carers are listened to and stay centred at the heart of everything we do.

“We have a great foundation to build on in our Borough with Children’s Services already rated as outstanding with Ofsted. However, we will not rest on our laurels as we look to continually improve and narrow the gap to provide equal opportunities for all.”

If endorsed by cabinet, the strategy will be steered and overseen by a newly established Children and Young People’s Board star chamber. This will have representation from young people, elected members, and leaders from statutory organisations.

Key partners working with the Council to deliver the strategy are the Police, NHS, and local voluntary and community organisations.