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"A Hawkinge where young people have the opportunity to benefit from effective education and enjoy an active social life"

Background

As the development of Hawkinge continues, the lack of services and facilities for children and young people to access has become more apparent. Hawkinge is currently home to 1,500 children and young people and it is anticipated that this number will rise over the next five years. There is limited provision for young people, there are no opportunities for out of school study support and restricted opportunities to access local facilities.

Findings of consultation with local young people were presented to the Hawkinge Partnership and as a result a full time and two part time youth workers were appointed. Their role is to coordinate youth provision in Hawkinge and to establish a sustainable youth organisation.

In 2005 reports also demonstrated that 30% of children in local primary schools had additional educational needs and that support was needed to develop parents’ understanding and skills to cope with minor childhood illness and injuries.

Working with the Hawkinge Children’s Centre, to improve outcomes for young children, the Hawkinge Partnership has helped local children prepare for and settle into school life through the Ready for School initiative. Joint working with Kidease Nursery, Hawkinge Under 5’s and the health visitors has also helped bring families together across Hawkinge.

Training for parents has helped them access family learning to help them keep up with their children and gain confidence and self esteem and deal with minor childhood illnesses and injuries at home. This has created opportunities for new networks of support among parents.

Progress

Since 2005 the Hawkinge Partnership has:

Brought a youth worker team into Hawkinge which has developed 2 youth forums, supported Charlton Athletic Football sessions, set up detached sessions, run summer and half term programmes of activities and other initiatives to engage and encourage the development of young people
Provided a base in Hawkinge for the Children’s Centre and the Youth Work Team
Supported a Ready for School Initiative to support children starting primary school
Supported the Children's Centre to run First Aid courses for parents
Supported the Children's Centre to organise fun days and activities during the summer
Provided funding for a speech and language therapist

Baseline Data

65% of residents are dissatisfied with the quality of facilities for teenagers aged 13-17.(MORI poll 2004)
48% of residents are dissatisfied with the quality of facilities for young children up to the age of 12 (MORI poll 2004)
No local study support for Secondary school pupils (HP 2005)
In 2005, 80% of parents surveyed identified a lack of self-confidence and knowledge regarding minor childhood illnesses (Virtual Children Centre 2006)
In 2004, 59% of all Hawkinge pupils at Key Stage 2 achieved level 4 or above in Maths (Shepway average 69%) (KCC Information Management 2004)
In 2004, 52% of all Hawkinge pupils at Key Stage 1 achieved level 2B or above in writing (Kent average 59%) (KCC Information Management 2004)

By 2012 Hawkinge will have:-

1. A youth worker team within a sustainable youth organisation
2. Young people participating and leading community activities
3. An active and thriving youth forum
4. An IT Café offering opportunities to enhance learning
5. Young people supported in preparing for employment
6. Children with confidence and the necessary skills to start primary school
7. Continued improvements in levels of educational achievement
8. Parents with knowledge and confidence in dealing with minor illnesses and injuries


Half Term Activities for young people (August 2007)		Fun Day organised by the Hawkinge Children's Centre (Summer 2005)

LINKS:
Youth Fourm
One Voice

Last Updated ( Nov 14, 2008 at 12:03 PM )