Only Connect – Transforming Life Chances – how serious are we ? Nigel Richardson Director of Children’s Services, Leeds

Only one question.. What’s it like to be a child or young person growing up in Leeds…..and how do we make it better ?

Changing Families Lowest marriage rate in 150 years % of no-earner households doubled Most couples cohabit before marriage Highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe Lone parenthood trebled in 20 years 4/10 babies born outside marriage 6-fold increase in divorce since million + ++ children living in poverty Estimated cost of family breakdown - £5 billion +++

Family Risk Factors Poor parental supervision Harsh/erratic discipline Parental conflict Separation from a biological parent Anti-social parent Low income Poor housing

Risks for Young People Leaving school with no qualifications Involvement in crime Alcohol & drugs Poor mental health Homelessness Pregnancy/fatherhood

Protective Factors Social bonding Clear standards of positive behaviour Involvement in family, school & community Positive role models Clear, high expectations Social & thinking skills Recognition & praise

or put another way.. Experience of the education system and labour market Society and culture in which they grow up Relationships with parents and families Experiences with peers and in leisure time

Leeds : The Child Friendly City

180K children and young people One vision One partnership One Plan Five outcomes 11 priorities and 3 obsessions 25 clusters : 3 behaviours Leeds Education Challenge 75k people

The Challenge

Agreed Policy Framework Four key statements of intent : The default behaviour of children’s services in Leeds in all its dealings with local citizens/partners/organisations will be a restorative one – high support with high challenge.

Children’s services in Leeds will ensure that families whose children might otherwise be removed from their homes are supported to meet and develop a safe alternative plan before such action is taken.

For all other families where a plan or decision needs to be made to help safeguard and promote the welfare of a child or children the family will be supported to help decide what needs to happen.

All local schools will be seen as community assets and children’s services will have a clear role in holding those institutions – no matter what the governance arrangements – to account for the contribution they make to the well being of the local population.

Weekly obsessions tracker Week commencing: 06 May 2013 Obsession Latest position this week Change since last week % change over last 12 months Change over last 12 months 12 month trend Safely reduce the number of children looked after 1376 Reduce the number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) 1697 Reduce school absence: primary 3.7% n/a Reduce school absence: secondary 6.1% n/a

So What ? Behaviour Exclusions Attendance Attainment Achievement Resilience Community Capacity Family Crime Pride/Hope

Thanks for Listening !