We have received an overwhelming response to this consultation, thank you to all of you who participated and shared your views with us.
Results from the on-line activities:
This engagement was split in to two activities; (1) the diamond nine exercise, 'What's Important, You Decide' and (2) What Makes a Good Kent Childhood, which consists of 2 open ended questions, one which asks 'What makes a good Kent childhood?' and the other 'If I were Prime Minister for the day, the three things I would do to improve the lives of children and young people are...'. We received a total of 838 submissions to the on-line survey, some of which are individual responses, others refer to group entries. In total, 1301 participants have taken part in the activities (55 x 0-5 years old, 640 x 6-11 year olds, 463 x 12-19 year olds, and 143 parents). Some have just completed one activity (either the diamond nine exercise or the Good Childhood/PM questions) whilst others have completed all sections.
In terms of activity 1, 'What's important, You Decide' which asks participants to prioritise the 7 emerging themes, we received 610 on-line entries. This activity asks people to prioritise all 7 emerging themes and to identify any 'other' priorities. The TOP CHOICE for the on-line submissions is as follows:
- Making sure children and young people are safe in their own home, school and the area where they live = 26%
- Provide help for children and young people who might be at risk of being homeless or who live in unsuitable housing = 15%
- Providing babies and young children with a healthy start in life = 14.5%
- Helping families who are poor = 14%
- Provide help for teenagers experiencing problems, such as taking too many risks which can hurt themselves and others = 13.5%
- Helping Children and Young People who may be sad or depressed = 7%
- Helping children in primary school to achieve = 4%
- Other (free text comments) = 6%
We received 445 replies to the open question 'If you were Prime Minister for the day...'and 203 responses to the Good Childhood question. Many of these responses reiterate the importance of the 7 emerging themes whilst others fall within the following additional categories:
- Better Roads
- Cleaner environments
- Education
- Education and Transport (these were often put together)
- Environmental
- Having a voice
- Health and Fitness
- Job Opportunities
- More Police
- Specialist Services
- Supporting Families
- Transport
- Positive Activities/Play areas
These questions provide a wonderful insight and some excellent quotes from parents, carers, children and young people.
Ballot Box activity:
The ballot boxes have been touring various events including the Kent Show, Thanet Pride, Extended Service Summer events in Canterbury and Maidstone, the Barrier to Bridges event and Listen Up! Participation day with disabled children and young people to name but a few. The ballot box engagement asks participants to choose their top choice only from the emerging themes OR to identify one other priority. Participants only get one vote. In total, 1237 people have participated, the results of which are as follows:
- Making sure children and young people are safe in their own home, school and the area where they live = 21%
- Provide help for children and young people who might be at risk of being homeless or who live in unsuitable housing = 19%
- Helping families who are poor = 17%
- Helping Children and Young People who may be sad or depressed = 13%
- Helping children in primary school to achieve = 10%
- Provide help for teenagers experiencing problems, such as taking too many risks which can hurt themselves and others = 9%
- Providing babies and young children with a healthy start in life = 8%
- Other = 3%
Sand animation at the Kent Show
Some of you may have participated in the sand animation activity at the Kent Show, with the Animate and Create team. Here, members of the public were asked to share their experiences of childhood. You can view the films here:
Staying Safe:
Being Healthy:
Enjoy & Achieve:
What Makes a Good Kent Childhood:
Play All 'Sand Animation at the Kent County Show' videos:
MiPod activity at the Kent Show
Young interviewers interviewed their peers at the Kent Show and we have some very useful information about how children and young people feel about living in kent, what they like and dislike and what they would change if they could.
What happens now?
We will bringing together all of this information that you have kindly shared with us to help inform and develop the next Children and Young People's Plan, covering the period 2011-2014. We will keep you updated on how the Plan progresses.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to tell us what you think, we really appreciate it.