Vulnerable young people
The role of JSNA in identifying inequalities
One of the key components of the JSNA is to identify inequalities in health and wellbeing experienced by different population groups in the local authority area. Much like in our adult population, it is important that we identify groups of young people who are potentially vulnerable and therefore exposed to more risk compared to their peers.
The importance of supporting our vulnerable children and young people
All children deserve to grow up free from harm and in a stable and nurturing home environment, with the same opportunities to succeed as every other child. However, our most vulnerable and disadvantaged children need more intensive support to have the stable foundation that others take for granted.
The needs of children who are vulnerable and in need of support are addressed locally within a multi-agency framework whereby agencies work together to provide effective early help.
Statistics on vulnerable children and young people
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Learning disability profiles - the OHID learning disability health profiles provide a range of data about people with learning disabilities. The profiles can be used by health and social care commissioners, and care professionals to help make decisions about services for people with learning disabilities.
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Vulnerable children and young people profile - the vulnerable children and young people profile contains data on looked after children, children providing unpaid care, child protection cases, teenage mothers, hospital admissions for self-harm and homeless young people amongst others.
- Department For Education (DFE) - Special educational needs statistics collection - this resource provides annual statistics on pupils with special educational needs including information on educational attainment, destinations, absence, exclusions, and characteristics.
Local policies and strategies on vulnerable children
- Rochdale Borough Council - Rochdale Children and Young People’s Partnership - Rochdale Children and Young People's Plan.
- Rochdale Borough Council - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Alliance Strategy - these SEND outcomes are what we need to achieve for all children and young people with SEND in the borough.
Guidance on vulnerable young people
- Local Government Association - Meeting the health and wellbeing needs of young carers - this report from the Local Government Association uses a series of case studies to look at the challenges that face young carers and some solutions to supporting their health and wellbeing needs.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) vulnerable groups guidance - NICE have produced a number of documents on vulnerable children including guidance on looked-after babies, children and young people and pregnancy and complex social factors.