CHILDREN ASKED TO SPEAK UP

 

Children and young people are having their say this spring (May and June 2006), as a huge survey is unleashed in Sheffield schools.

 

Eight secondary schools, two special needs schools and 25 primary schools are taking part in the city’s first Children and Young People’s Survey, as well as focus groups of young people around the city: looked after children, young people leaving care, children with disabilities will be represented in the survey.

 

The purpose of the consultation is to find out how children and young people feel their needs can best be met, according to the Government’s Every Child Matters guidance.

 

“We passionately believe that every child matters”, says Cllr Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.  “We want to make sure that every child, wherever they live and whatever their background, is growing up to be healthy, safe and with the opportunity to achieve.

 

“I think it’s particularly important that we prepare children and young people for the world in which they will live as adults, giving them the opportunity to get a meaningful job, stay out of trouble and give something back to the community.”

Nationally, the Department of Health have published their ‘Every Child Matters’ Green Paper, which led to last the 2004 Children’s Bill, and sets out a new approach to the wellbeing of children and young people from birth to the age of 19.  The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:

The children and young people’s survey gives children and young people the opportunity to express how well they think they are supported to achieve each of the five outcomes.  Voluntary and community organisations are running the focus groups around the city, and school support workers are on hand to support children and young people in participating schools to complete the online questionnaire in class time.

“We’re committed to listening carefully to what children and young people tell us and to act on it”, says Jonathan Crossley-Holland, Executive Director Children & Young People’s Services.  “We have lots of schools and care services which have consistently consulted with children and young people about how they think their needs should be met, but this is the first comprehensive citywide survey of this nature.

“Thirty five of our schools are making time in the school day for some year groups to contribute to this huge audit of children and young people’s perceptions and experiences, and voluntary and community groups are making a huge effort to engage with young people outside school hours.

“In everything we do within our organisation, it’s important to focus on what’s best for the child.  We can only know this if we ask them.”

In primary schools, only year groups 2 and 5 are taking part and in secondary schools, years 7 and 10 are involved.

Questionnaires can be accessed at

http://priority-research.com/sheffield/primary/

 

For further information please contact Katie Harrison on 0114 2736927 or 07710 737905.  For out of hours enquiries please ring 07711 153995.