Children and young people in Islington are provided with good services -- and, crucially, their lives are improving. This is the verdict of the Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED), who led a detailed review of how Islington provides for its young people. <br><br>The review confirms that Islington Council and its partners have a great opportunity over the next few years to make a big difference to the quality of young people's lives. <br><br>In particular, the review is positive about "the improvement of education through academies and well supported Building Schools for the Future programmes". The council's partnership with CEA@Islington works well and the report concludes that support for schools to improve is strong.<br><br>OfSTED also recognises the positive contribution that children and young people make to their community. The report says that, "Many [young people] contribute to some extent to developments in their schools and local communities and the majority behave responsibly".<br><br>Cllr Ursula Woolley, Islington Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People, said, "This report is very encouraging news for children, young people and families in Islington.<br><br>"Education and health services are good and improving well, despite the challenges we face here. There is more support for families and the prospects for children in care are getting better.<br><br>"Our youth work is rated as good and more importantly reaches a good proportion of teenagers. Where young people do behave anti-socially, and that is the exception, the council and other agencies work well together to tackle it.<br><br>"I'm pleased that we have strong working partnerships with public bodies like the police and Islington PCT, and with the voluntary, faith and community sector. These are an essential building block in improving the lives of children and the whole community.<br><br>"The report also said that our capacity to improve is good, and I'm particularly pleased about that because I'm ambitious for all our children and young people to be able to use excellent services which is what they deserve."<br><br>The results of this review -- known as the Joint Area Review -- will feed into the council's 2007 Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) result, along with the results of the Corporate Assessment. To see the news release on the Corporate Assesment visit www.islington.gov.uk.<br><br>Ends<br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009