Young People Help Shape Future Services

LOCAL children have, for the first time, been given the opportunity to make a difference in areas like education, leisure, health and family support.
A group of teenagers will join County Council Cabinet Member, Cllr Louise Chapman, to launch the Oxfordshire Children and Young People?s Plan on Thursday, November 23.
A new website, that will make it easier for parents and professionals to find out about key support services and activities for children in their local area, will also be unveiled – www.oxfordshireservicesdirectory.org.uk

Following the launch, around fifty youngsters will be taking part in the first Children and Young People?s Involvement Network meeting to talk about one of the many key issues set out in the Plan: reducing the number of teenage pregnancies in Oxfordshire.

Teenage pregnancy rates are below the national average in Oxfordshire and are declining, but are still high in some parts of the county.

Professionals from key organisations that have teamed up to implement the Plan will join in the discussion that will focus on sexual health, relationships and contraception.

Councillor Louise Chapman, the county council?s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “It is really important that children and young people are closely involved in planning their services and that we listen and act on their proposals.
“They have played a vital role in developing the Children and Young People?s Plan and we will continue to work together to ensure services match their needs.
“The meeting about sexual health and teenage pregnancy shows the Plan in action, that we are involving young people themselves in tackling these issues.”

The Oxfordshire Children and Young People?s Plan can be found on the county council website at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cypp http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cypp