Children and Young People's summary

North Lincolnshire's Joint Area Review

It's official ... North Lincolnshire is a good place to grow up!

If you are at school you will probably have seen Ofsted inspectors checking that your teachers are doing their best to help you to learn. Well, they don't only inspect schools. They also inspect all the services that help children and young people in your area, like youth services, children's centres, services for children in trouble and at risk of being hurt, services for children and young people with a disability. This ‘super Ofsted inspection' is called a Joint Area Review:

'Joint' because lots of other organisations send inspectors to work with Ofsted

Ten inspectors came to North Lincolnshire in September and October last year (2007). They read lots of reports, talked to lots of people, visited lots of places and thought long and hard about whether you are getting what you need to grow up well and get the best possible start in life. Some of you may have met them.

We did really well in North Lincolnshire, as you can see below. They found that North Lincolnshire has very good, safe services for children and young people. And the report itself told us that in some areas we have better than good services, for example some services for looked after children are outstanding. The inspectors gave a special mention to the excellent help for children with disabilities through the Kaleidoscope drop-in centre and short breaks at the Cygnets.

The inspectors looked at the review over five main areas. These cover all the services to keep you healthy, make sure you have a good education and ensure that you have a good start in life.

So if I'm a young person living in North Lincolnshire what did the inspectors say my life will be like?

Be Healthy

I have access to a good range of health services to keep me healthy. If I have problems misusing drugs or alcohol there are good services run by committed staff to help me. If I get very mixed up emotionally, feel out of control and have mental health problems there are now better services to help me get sorted out.

Stay Safe

There are very good services to make sure I am safe in my local community. If I become looked after I will be well cared for and supported to make sure I get a good start in life. I will be able to have my say in how I am treated. A young person does a great job of chairing the Children in Care Council, which makes sure young people's voices are heard. Staff will keep an eye on my health and education and provide excellent support services when I leave care and become independent. I am safer at home and on the roads than I used to be, and there is better support if I am bullied.

Enjoy and Achieve

There are lots of good schools and colleges in North Lincolnshire, which will help me to get the best education I can. I am now more likely than ever to get five good GCSE passes. My school also supports my personal and social development well so that I can follow my interests and develop my skills.

Make a Positive Contribution

There are good opportunities for me to give my own opinions about things and make sure that my voice is heard. Youth services help me to follow my interests out of school and have an active and constructive social life.

Achieve Economic Well-Being

There are lots of good local services to help me to go to College, get a job or go into training when I leave school. These make sure that I can get the best possible start in life whatever my abilities (or disabilities), religion or culture.

So if you live in North Lincolnshire you have so many good services and staff ready to help you to be healthy, keep safe, reach your potential and make a valued contribution to our local communities.

Have your say - we want to hear from you.

Does this inspection seem right to you? Do you think North Lincolnshire is a good place to grow up?

you can write to the address below or you can click here to send your thoughts.

To: John Waters, The Angel, Market Place, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8LD.