Agenda item

Bev Pepperdine, Commissioning, Performance and Quality

Bev Pepperdine, Performance Assurance Manager, with the aid of a powerpoint presentation, presented the outcome of the annual Voice of the Child Lifestyle Survey 2019.

Participation 2018

-          16 mainstream schools offered the opportunity to participate in the survey – 12 participated with 4 schools choosing not to do so and providing an explanation as to why

-          3 special schools chose to participate

-          3 pupil referral units participated

-          3,499 pupils participated in the 2018 survey (52% of the relevant population)

What is Working Well – Young People’s voice about their health and wellbeing

-          Fewer pupils with diagnosed medical condition

-          Y10 pupils were drinking more water

-          More pupils avoiding drinking fizzy sugar drinks

-          More pupils avoiding high energy drinks

-          Y10 pupils improved mental health

-          Fewer Y10 pupils taking up smoking and fewer Y10 pupils trying

These were the areas where there had been a noticeable percentage improvement from the 2017 results

What areas are we worried about – Young People’s voice about their health and wellbeing

-          Increase in the diagnosis of Autism and Asthma

-          Fewer pupils eating recommended portions of fruit and vegetables

-          Decline of Y7 pupils and excellent mental health

-          Increase in concerns around weight

-          Decline of Y7 pupils and them feeling good about the way they looked

-          Increase in appropriate sexual behaviour as a form of bullying

-          Increase in the use of Cocaine

-          Frequency of drug use on the increase

-          Decline of education around the subject of Child Sexual Exploitation

-          Increase of Y10 pupils having sexual intercourse after participating in either alcohol or using drugs

-          Decline in the use of contraception

These were the areas where there had been a noticeable percentage decline from the 2017 results

Actions – What actions take place to share the results and highlight the impact of the survey

-          Each school received their own individual data with comparison to the previous year’s results highlighting what was working well and what we were worried about

-          Partners received highlight reports and there was an expectation they would provide feedback on the actions taken and the impact thereof and planned actions for the future

-          Results were shared with young people to help them identify and develop new ideas and to communicate positive messages to them

-          Stakeholders were supported to review the results and develop action plans to address them

-          Work was undertaken with schools to highlight to young people opportunities and forums where they could get involved and have their voice heard i.e. School Council, Youth Cabinet, Young Inspector

Young People’s Voice

-          The Rotherham Lifestyle Survey has run for 12 years and in the time over 30,000 young people had had their voice heard

-          In the past 5 years, 17,410 had participated.  Schools welcomed and valued the survey with 12 schools already signed up to participate again in 2019

-          The high volume of young people’s voices needed to be recognised and become integral to shaping and developing the services offered

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·           SYPTE would carry out work around the new bus station and the young people’s perception of being safe

·           Work was taking place to encourage the 4 non-participating schools to take part in the 2019 survey

·           Consideration to be given to the inclusion in the 2019 survey report of 5 year trend information

·           Any individual/partner/organisation could request information on a specific issue

·           Barnardos had presented an evaluation of their reachout work to a recent meeting of the Improving Lives Select Commission which showed that, despite the fact that it was a free offer to schools, not all schools had taken it up.  Engagement work with all schools across the Borough was required across the to get the message out and compare to the previous position

·           Schools were to receive significant funds from the Mental Health Trailblazer Project – could this be used as leverage to encourage participation in the survey

·           Concern that the number of young people who would not recommend Rotherham as a place to live and as a place in the future had increased again

·           The need to be clear which sub-groups under the Rotherham Together Partnership were addressing which issues in the survey to avoid duplication/no action being taken and the Board trying to tackle everything when others were better equipped

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That Health and Wellbeing Strategy leads and sponsors consider the issues of the report relevant to their particular Aim and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

ACTION:-  Becky Woolley/all Aim leads and sponsors

(3)  That a summary report for each Aim be submitted setting out which areas within the report came within that particular Aim’s remit.

ACTION:-  Becky Woolley/all Aim leads and sponsors