Newcastle Children's Services Praised

Services aimed at children and young people in Newcastle are performing well and have improved significantly with a large majority of services, settings and institutions rated as outstanding, according to a new report from Ofsted ( published on 9 December 2010).

The Children's Services Assessment for Newcastle, also states that a recent unannounced inspection of front-line child protection services found much that was strong and no areas for priority action. It also praises the council's special schools and improvements in the city's children's homes.

And the report notes that the majority of young people in the city are performing in line with or above national averages and that the education of children and young people from low-income families is improving. The number of schools not reaching the expected minimum standards is reducing. There has also been a steady reduction in the number of 16-18 year olds not in work, education or training. The report also states that participation by young people in decisions about their lives is good.