Strategic Direction
To improve the health of children and young people through the co-ordinated efforts of communities and organisations in partnership with young people. To promote and safeguard the welfare of socially excluded children, particularly of children looked after by the local authority. Targets There are five specific targets for children and young people all specifically relating to looked after children. They are as follows:
General Commentary Raising educational attainment is an important way of overcoming inequalities and achieving improvements in health. This is a key priority in relation to children and young people. Children have been identified as a key area for the Health Improvement Programme because: children are the largest, most vulnerable group within our population; there are close links between deprivation and children's health and the patterns for health in adulthood are often laid down in childhood and adolescence. The percentage of dependent children in non-earning households is 23% in Doncaster compared to 17% in England. Educational outcomes are poorer for Doncaster young people and there are high rates of teenage smoking. Admission rates for accidental injury in 0-14 year olds is two and a half times the Trent average in some parts of the Borough. The most common cause of death in children is accidents, mostly road traffic accidents. The perinatal mortality rate, infant mortality rate and percentage low birth weight babies are all higher than the Trent average. Half of all five year olds have dental caries. Greater priority is being given to children's services nationally. Health Authorities have been recommended to increase the priority given to planning child health services and adopt a more strategic response. The emphasis on children and young people has produced a number of important policy initiatives within education and social services that have significant implications for health. The Quality Protects Initiative sets the agenda for developments and improvements in the management and delivery of services for children in need and children looked after. The main objectives of the Health Action Zone Children and Young People Plan are: to provide comprehensive and accessible mental health services for children and young people; to improve services to support families, parents and socially excluded children; to reduce the incidence of teenage conception, substance misuse and smoking; and to support positive lifestyle choices and increase the number of children who participate in school, community and working life. Further information can be obtained by downloading the full text version of the Health Improvement Programme for Doncaster 2000 - 2003. Any comments on this section should be submitted to the theme lead: Bron Sanders, Head of Service, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, The Council House, College Road, Doncaster, DN1 2DA. email: bron.sanders@doncaster.gov.uk |