Raising Aspiration
Responding to the needs of children and young people to provide excellent advice leading to positive choices for suitable courses and career pathways which best suit their aptitudes, involving them more in the decision making process, and helping to raise achievement levels – particularly for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Background from the 2008 CYP Needs Assessment:
- some children and young people are not making the progress we might expect in terms of achievement in school – particularly those in receipt of free school meals and those who are more able;
- lack of progress of children and young people to the higher levels in each Key Stage restricts the options in subsequent phases of their learning/career development;
- more children and young people enter into jobs without training than might be expected;
- more needs to be done in informing children and young people about the opportunities available to them and advising them on planning their future;
- a disproportionate high number of teenage mothers and care leavers are not in education, employment or training.
From expert group sessions and consultation:
- the impact of child and family poverty and adversity can have consequences lasting into adulthood and subsequent generations;
- the most effective interventions promote and develop the individual within the framework of the family and community;
- appropriate provision and access routes into education and training need to be available to all children and young people;
- access to high quality information, advice and guidance at all stages raises aspirations of children and young people and their parents and enables appropriate decisions to be made;
- children and young people need to have access to more opportunities to participate in purposeful play and recreational activity and the decision making process within their communities;
- building resilience and self confidence is crucial in helping children and young people and their parents/carers have strong hopes for the future and make positive, informed choices;
- children in care and their carers need targeted support to prepare them for each stage in their life and in education, employment and training post 16 in particular;
- all of the above is only possible if children and young people are secure in their physical and emotional health.
What young people say:
- young people in South Gloucestershire do not show the same level of aspiration to go on to University than they do nationally (TellUs survey);
- children and young people in South Gloucestershire are less likely to enjoy school than they do nationally (TellUs survey);
- young people want better access to high quality information, advice and guidance (TellUs survey).
What we need to do:
- improve the engagement and enjoyment of children and young people in schools, settings and the community;
- support parents to increase their participation and engagement in their children’s learning and development;
- ensure appropriate provision and progression routes into education and training post 16;
- increase the range of provision for 14-19 year-olds;
- deliver high-quality information, advice and guidance for all children and young people;
- provide targeted support for vulnerable children and young people (particularly disabled children and young people and children in care) that helps them and their families make supported choices regarding employment, training and education;
- support children and young people to take a greater role in the decision making process across an increasingly wide range of activities;
- support parents and carers in their role in building confidence and resilience in children and young people;
- secure children and young people’s physical and emotional health.
What this would mean for the each outcome:
| Outcome |
Impact |
| Be Healthy |
Improved mental health in children and young people
Greater take-up of healthy lifestyle choices |
| Stay Safe |
Services in place to support parents who have difficulty meeting the needs of their children |
| Enjoy & Achieve |
Increased attendance and performance at school
Improved rates of progress by those in receipt of free school meals and the more able
Increased play and recreational opportunities
Improved parental support for children in their learning
|
| Positive Contribution |
Children and young people increasingly feel more valued and connected with their communities |
| Economic Wellbeing |
Better access to a wider range of courses leading to more pupils accessing higher education and jobs with training
Children, particularly those who are vulnerable, can make positive choices regarding their education, employment and training post-16 |
