A new and ambitious vision has been launched by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and its partners to make sure every child in the borough has a chance at a better future.
The proposals form the Children and Young People’s Plan 2009-2013, and set out the main goals to improve outcomes and boost everyday life for the area’s children over the next four years.
The Trust, formerly the children and young people’s partnership, made up of representatives from the council, other public sector organisations such as the health and police services, business, and the voluntary, community and faith sectors.
Key findings from the previous report showed that outcomes for children and young people across the borough had improved in the last decade, and sometimes exceeded national and regional trends, and that the past year has seen strong improvement in school exam performance.
But the new report states that work still needs to be done to tackle poverty and deprivation, which included issues such as dental health, rising obesity rates with age and lifestyle practices and choices.
Some of the main aims of the far-reaching plan include:
* cutting risks such as sexual activity, substance abuse, alcohol and smoking
* helping vulnerable children access better safeguards and health services
* raising attainments at all ages
* improving positive activities for young people and their families and reducing rates of anti social behaviour.
* getting more young people into training or work.
The plans have been developed with the help of children across Blackburn with Darwen schools and includes their views on health, schools, leisure time and activities and youth services in the area.
The plan, which was launched in 2006 and was refreshed in 2008, is based on the priorities set out through the Government’s Every Child Matters campaign, and has been developed by the Children and Young People’s Trust.
Peter Morgan, strategic director of children’s services, said: “A great deal of work has been done by all partners and we have achieved a lot over the past three years, but we hope to achieve even more, and help more children get the very best out of their lives, with these updated goals.
“We are underlining and reiterating our commitment to making sure that every child and young person in Blackburn with Darwen can look forward to a positive future and is well equipped to achieve these important outcomes.
“This plan is the product of the knowledge and the vision of all our partners who are working with Blackburn with Darwen, together with the positive contributions of children, young people, families and communities we serve, and we commend the goals that these challenges represent.”
To view the full plan, visit www.blackburn.gov.uk/childrensplan, or share your views, comments and ideas at cypp@blackburn.gov.uk.
Children’s Trust notes to editors:
In October 2002, the then Health Secretary, Alan Milburn, outlined government plans for a radical restructure of social services following the enquiry into the tragic death of Victoria Climbié.
Proposals were announced to establish specialist children's trusts to jointly plan, commission, pay for , and in some cases deliver, local services for children and young people up to 19 years.
Blackburn with Darwen was selected as one of 35 areas to pilot Children’s Trusts.
The aim of Children’s Trusts is to deliver greater strategic coherence, better integration of services and improved access.
No comments:
Post a Comment