No child left behind

Government inspectors have praised the services provided for children and young people in the city. Hull in print reports on some of the success stories they have highlighted in their report.

Young people's power

Children and young people get involved in making decisions that affect their lives and the communities that they live in. Many have taken an active role in consultation events, the recruitment of staff, commissioning and the evaluation and planning of services. There is a well established Youth Council and a thriving Young People's Parliament, which has more than 100 members, aged from 10 to 25, and meets every three months at the Guildhall. A network of Youth Forums operates across the city where young people are able to meet, campaign about local issues and identify and prioritise need. The majority of schools in Hull have active school councils, which also give pupils an effective voice.

Schools' achievements

Last year more than 51 per cent of year 11 pupils attained five or more A* to C grades at GCSE, compared to 43 per cent in 2005 and 34 per cent the year before. The latest results lifted Hull schools off the bottom of the national league tables to 116th out of 149 local authorities in the country.
But education leaders say there is still plenty of work to do, particularly in English and maths, and they are predicting even better GCSE results this year.

Children and young people in care are succeeding

A total of 22 per cent of children in care gained five or more A* to C grades in last year's GCSE exams, compared to 15 per cent nationally.
Educational coordinators from Hull City Council's Looked After Children (LAC) Education Service teach, motivate and assess pupils who are in care, and help cut truancy rates.
"The coordinators are trained teachers who can act as a bridge between school and home, at times teaching them in their own homes," says Hazel Hughes, manager from the service.
"Some coordinators have been with the same children for many years and this provides a stable adult figure in their lives."

Alternative education

The Schoolgirl Mums' Unit, on the Boulevard, west Hull, was judged as "outstanding" in its recent OFSTED report.
"Most young mums leave with at least five GCSE passes and the quality of their future well-being improved through outstanding personal development, care and support."
Also, pupils who require additional support were found to be making good progress at the Ashwell Centre, on Ashwell Avenue, east Hull, and Fountain House, on Fountain Road.

School Governors' Team

There are more than 1,300 governors who volunteer in Hull's 96 schools.
Each governor has a say in key issues at their school, from appointments of senior staff to how budgets are spent, and each governor is supported with training, advice and information provided by Hull City Council's School Governors' Team.
For the last six years the team has held the Government's Charter Mark for good service.
The recent Government inspection graded 96 per cent of school governing bodies in Hull as satisfactory or better.

Beating bullies

Today, 30 children and young people are getting help from "Bog off Bullies" or "BOB" groups.
They are run by the Rights and Participation Project at The Warren youth centre in Queens Gardens.
In 2006, BOB groups helped more than 90 children over the age of 10 who either self-referred or who were referred by agencies or carers.

Youth enterprise

Hundreds of young people have benefited from the development of the Youth Enterprise Centre on Zeals Garth, Bransholme, where they can get support and advice in setting up a business.
Hundreds more have benefited from Youth Enterprise events, such as last year's National Enterprise Week, when workshops and presentations helped youngsters to develop entrepreneurial ideas.

Junior Warden Scheme

From learning First Aid to taking part in crime awareness and environmental projects, the Junior Warden Scheme is helping children up to the age of 13 to make a positive contribution.
"It's about promoting a strong sense of citizenship and responsibility," says Emma Wilson from the Goodwin Development Trust, which runs the scheme.
Junior wardens' groups meet regularly at Hull Community Wardens' one-stop-shops across the city. The children also get to work with the police and fire services.

Further information

These are just some of the success stories from Hull's Children and Young People's Partnership.
The partnership is made up of Hull City Council working alongside groups including the police and fire services, the NHS and community and voluntary organisations.
There are 57,000 children and young people in Hull. The partnership's aim is to ensure that each child:

• is healthy.
• stays safe.
• enjoys life.
• achieves their potential.
• can make a positive contibution.
• can achieve economic well-being.

The recent inspection carried out by the Government, known as the "Joint Area Review" (JAR) found the partnership was well placed to deliver these aims.
"The partnership around Children and Young People's services is relatively new, and we very much welcome this external approval of its work so far," says Nigel Richardson, the council's Director of Young People's Services. "This gives us confidence that, even in the next 12 months, we will make a huge leap forward."

For more information call 300300 or visit www.hullcc.gov.uk