Download the Walsall's Children and Young People's Plan 2008 to 2011 by clicking here
This is our third Children and Young People’s Plan produced by the local authority and partnership since the requirement under the Children Act 2004 was introduced. Each year we publish an updated three year plan to show how well we have progressed over the last year, refresh our priorities and set three year targets for improvement. The plan shows how we contribute to the borough’s Sustainable Community Strategy, and the council’s outcomes and identifies the priorities in our Local Area Agreement.
Our vision for Walsall’s children and young people is:
To make growing up in Walsall as good as it can be.
Our mission is:
To ensure all children and young people achieve the best possible levels of education, health and development and to support those who are most vulnerable. We will encourage children and young people to build on their achievements, to develop and improve their confidence, resilience and self-esteem, to participate in their communities and achieve economic wellbeing. One key aspect of our service delivery model will integrate services in localities through children’s centres, extended schools and other appropriate venues, focusing on providing early multi-agency support to families. We will safeguard children by early recognition of risks and the provision of local support, with specialist intervention when needed.
Our key policy drivers are:
• Acting on what children and their families tell us is best for them
Children are our prime focus – we serve them best by listening to them and acting upon what they say. We work in partnership with their families and do all we can to provide support in ways that they prefer.
• Strengthening families and supporting parents
Families are the bedrock of society and the place for nurturing happy, capable and resilient children. Our job is to support parents, as early as possible, in meeting the challenges of family life. We know that child poverty limits attainment, health and wellbeing. Because nearly one third of our children are in poverty we will focus on how we can reduce its extent and impact. We will encourage parents to support their children at home with academic studies, and support better, more active and productive relationships between schools and parents.
• Raising aspirations and attainment
The key to future success for children and young people, and for Walsall to be a successful economy that attracts investment and employment, is well educated, qualified and skilled young people who are ambitious to improve themselves and their communities. Increasing aspiration and attainment is a priority which we will address by improving school standards and working with our partners across the borough. We recognise that some families and communities find it hard to access all the benefits of living in Walsall. We will strive to ensure equality of opportunity and community cohesion and to reduce health inequality.
Councillor Zahid Ali
Lead Member for Children’s Services
