Children, Young People & Families
"Our aim is to ensure that every young person has the chance to fulfil their potential…"- 'Every Child Matters' Green Paper - September 2003
Following Lord Laming's inquiry, and with the emphasis on ending child poverty, the health, safety and well-being of children, young people and their families is a higher priority than ever before.
A wide range of changes has been proposed to the way in which the whole range of services provided for them are delivered, culminating in the Children's Act 2004.
These developments are widely welcomed, but turning the aims into reality means that there is much work to be done. Multi-agency working is a key success factor, but there are many challenges to making it happen in practice. Our own research and evaluation confirms that partnership working, an increased emphasis on preventative actions and the full participation of children, young people and their families in service development, delivery and evaluation are essential for success, but are not easy to get right.
ECOTEC can help you:
- Develop and measure SMART objectives and their associated indicators;
- Pinpoint the critical issues for the successful implementation of policy;
- Identify and implement effective practice;
- Evaluate policy interventions and identify areas that improvements can be made in the future;
- Work with children and young people to identify their views and opinions.
ECOTEC are committed to improving the conditions within which children and young people live. We work widely with central and local government (including the Youth Justice Board), children's agencies, charities, arts and educational institutions to help ensure that the vision becomes a reality.
We work within a robust policy framework, which includes guidelines on child protection, confidentiality, informed consent and data protection. All our staff working with children and young people hold a current CRB check.
allice.hocking@ecotec.com
+44 121 616 3600
Case Study: 14-19 Education and skills workshops with young people
ECOTEC ran a series of creative workshops in 14-19 Pathfinder areas based in each of the nine Government Office regions. The workshops gathered young people's views and ideas on aspects of the 14-19 reforms including: Diplomas; Raising the Participation Age; 14-19 Prospectus; Exam Access; Functional Skills; Collaboration; Transition post-16; and new progression measures for schools. The workshops were tailored to the local context through a review of Pathfinder activities and stakeholder discussions with Strand leaders, 14-19 Pathfinder Co-ordinators, Connexions, and local schools and colleges. The workshops used innovative and creative exercises to help young people express their views on the 14- 19 reform themes.
The workshops gave a wide range of young people the opportunity to learn about the 14-19 reforms and voice their opinions, with key stakeholders from DfES being present to hear and take on board their views.
Read the report here
