Local Consultation

Extensive consultation with children, young people and local service providers in Tendring has identified a number of areas of concern and suggestions for service improvement:

Information, advice and support available for children, young people and their families around issues which affect their emotional well being, particularly including;

•  support for emotional and behavioural difficulties

•  action against bullying

•  effective signposting to related services

•  advocacy

•  promoting sense of community through social regeneration

Supporting and improving educational outcomes (including through joint working between schools, parents and the community)

•  raising levels of attainment in schools

•  improving attendance levels

•  reducing number of fixed term and permanent exclusions

•  improving transition arrangements

•  enhancing study support

•  children are ready for school

•  children have access to Early Years Education sessions

•  reducing the number of 16-18 yr olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

•  extending curriculum opportunities for 14-16yr olds to meet both local need and young people's aspirations

Information, advice, support and opportunities for children and young people around issues which affect their health, particularly including;

•  substance misuse

•  obesity – including physical activity and healthy eating

•  teenage pregnancy

•  sexual health

Develop preventative family support services for children at risk of poor outcomes, particularly including;

•  looked after children

•  children at risk of abuse

•  parenting support

•  risk of offending – including diversionary activities and targeted preventative support

•  poor educational achievement

•  children in need/in need of protection

•  children care for by extended family/relative carer

•  raising aspirations of parents and children – particularly in relation to education and employment opportunities

•  increasing parental support – particularly in relation to supporting educational achievement

•  children living in poverty

•  young carers

Early intervention and ongoing support for children and families affected by mental ill health, particularly including;

•  support for children and young people who have been abused and who may self harm

•  increase and develop mental health awareness in Primary Care staff (GPs, Health Visitors, School Nurses and Midwives)

•  improved access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Tier 2 services in appropriate settings.

•  develop services for 16 - 17 year olds.

•  provide 24 hour access for children and adolescents.

•  improve services for children with Learning Disabilities

Services which are influenced by and accessible for all children and young people and particularly for children, young people and their carers who are traditionally disadvantaged;

•  black and minority ethnic groups

•  children and young people with special needs & disabilities

•  children or carers with mental ill health

•  Improving rural transport so that children and families can access services locally

•  looked after children

•  children care for by extended family/relative carers

•  young carers

•  families ‘hard to reach'

•  young offenders