The CYPP 2011-15 was agreed by the Children’s Trust Board (CTB) in April 2011. The framework of outcomes, priorities, obsessions and indicators are now widely understood and used across the city. This framework remains the same in the CYPP refresh agreed by CTB in April 2012. The refresh identifies actions for accelerating progress and provides updates on key policy developments such as the Leeds Education Challenge and Early intervention.
At the end of the first year of the plan there was evidence of improvement against some key indicators, but in many areas gaps between average outcomes and those for the lowest achieving groups remain stubbornly significant. As do gaps between our performance and that of other authorities.
Our overall strategy for driving further improvement is to apply the “top 100 methodology” consistently in all clusters across the city. This involves identifying the children and young people and families with the greatest need, and targeting resources and support accordingly, making sure that support is joined up across all the relevant agencies. There are clear indications of the impact of cluster working on our 3 obsessions but there is no room for complacency.
Working restoratively which involves providing high support and challenge and working with children, young people and families to identify effective solutions is central to the strategy. As is asking the 3 questions posed by the Outcomes based accountability methodology- how much did we do? how well did we do it and is anyone better off? OBA also involves working with partners to develop simple, practical actions plans that take us from “talk to action” and help make the biggest difference.
External support and challenge has proved an invaluable tool in the Leeds Children’s services journey and we will continue to engage with regional, national and international experts to help us develop the best solutions.
To help us drive further improvements the CYPP refresh identified 4 principles that underpin our work with children, young people and their families.
View the CYPP Four Principles here