Council launches vision for children and young people across Cheshire East

Cheshire East Council launched a vision called ‘Together for Children and Young People’ at a meeting of cabinet today (12 January) which sets out how, together with their partners, the council will make Cheshire East a great place to be young.

The vision is based on what children, young people, parents, carers and practitioners think is important and will be used to ensure all staff working with children and young people have a shared aim and are ambitious for children. The vision is centred around the importance of working together in partnership with children, young people and families.

The vision builds on six outcomes from the Cheshire East Children and Young People’s Plan:

1. Children and young people who are cared for are happy and given every opportunity to achieve their full potential;
2. Children and young people feel and are safe;
3. Children and young people are happy and experience good mental health and wellbeing;
4. Children and young people are healthy and make positive choices;
5. Children and young people leave school with the best skills and qualifications they can achieve and the life skills they need to thrive into adulthood; and
6. Children, young people, and young adults with additional needs have better chances in life.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “There are nearly 105,000 children and young people who live in Cheshire East, representing around 27 per cent of the population.

“Children’s services across the borough, from schools to social care, early years and health, work together day in, day out to nurture and support our youngest residents.

“We recognise that the current pandemic is really tough for children, young people and their families, with disruption to education, impact on mental health and uncertainty about their futures.

“This shared vision, developed together with our children and young people, reflects their aspirations and needs and is backed by the belief that children are best supported within their families and communities.

“With the right help, by the right people at the right time, the vision sets out how we want to ensure families get support early and as soon as they need it to prevent issues becoming more difficult.

“All children should enjoy the best education that prepares them to thrive in adulthood and we continue to work with and support all our schools during this time.   These are challenging times for everyone involved and we hope that all children and young people will be able to return to school or college as soon as it is safe to do so.

“I fully endorse this vision, which focusses on the needs of children and young people, and ensures that together with our partners, we will make Cheshire East a great place to be young.”