Children and Young People's Plan

The partners of Southwark's Children and Families' Trust are pleased to introduce our Children and Young People's Plan for 2010 to 2013. It has been developed in an unprecedented environment, with a transformed statutory landscape and the harshest economic climate seen in decades.

This plan sets out how we will work together over the next three years to meet these challenges and improve the life chances of our children, young people and families.

It was developed by involving those who have the biggest stake in our borough - our children, young people, parents, carers, staff and practitioners - and we are proud of how their voice has shaped it.

The five priority themes identified in this plan include

Thinking family: This priority focuses on making sure services meet families' needs, by making it easier for everyone to learn about and use services, offer more and better activities for children and young people, promote the independence of those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and support families facing the greatest difficulties.

Narrowing the gap: To ensure everyone in the borough has the same opportunities, we will prioritise support where it is needed, be that excellent care for pregnant women and babies, quality services for our youngest children or extra support at school for those falling behind their classmates.

Raising the bar: A good, rounded education is vital to giving children and families the best chances in life, so we will help them overcome any barriers to their learning through high-quality services and excellent schools and settings.

Succeeding into adulthood: To help young people make the step to adulthood, we will focus support on getting more young people into education, employment or training, and helping them make positive choices around risky behaviour such as crime or teenage pregnancy.

Working together to keep children safe: Because every child and young person should be and feel safe, we will work with partners, the community and the children's workforce to make sure everyone knows what to do if they have worries or concerns about a child.

Download the Children and Young People's Plan 2010-2013 or for more information, call 020 7525 3674 or email childrenandfamiliestrust@southwark.gov.uk