because people matter surveys of parents, young people and schoolchildren in luton written report...

Because People Matter

Surveys of parents, young people and schoolchildren in

LutonWritten report

Linda Balodis, Account Manager

Because People MatterBecause People Matter


Table of contentsTable of contents

Contents Page no.Introduction 3Staying safe 11Health and fitness 18Getting involved and having your say 26Free time 29Achieving 36Growing up in Luton 56Executive summary 64


IntroductionIntroduction


Background Background

• The Children Act 2004 identified the need for a national framework for building services around the needs of young people and maximising their opportunities for health and development

• Luton Borough Council and its partners wished to consult with young people and parents to understand their views and aspirations


Method (1)Method (1)

• Surveys were conducted with children/young people aged 13 – 19 years and parents:– Questionnaires were also distributed across all 12

secondary schools in Luton (representing 7,258 pupils) and 4,881 questionnaires were returned (67% response rate)

– 9,313 questionnaires were mailed to all 16–19 year olds living in Luton; 1,079 were returned (12% response rate)

– 120 telephone interviews were completed among parents on the Luton Citizens’ Panel


Profile of school children (unweighted)Profile of school children (unweighted)

• The ages of school children were:– 32% 13 years– 36% 14 years– 28% 15 years– 4% 16 years– <1% 17 years

• 42% were from BME communities– (with 14% of Pakistani, 6% of Bangladeshi and 5% of

Kashmiri origin)

• 49% were male and 51% female (of those who answered the question)

• 16% had a disability


Profile of young people (unweighted)Profile of young people (unweighted)

• The ages of young people were:– 38% 16 years– 31% 17 years– 18% 18 years– 14% 19 years

• 44% were of from BME communities– (with 12% of Pakistani and 4% of Indian origin)

• 35% were male and 65% female• 82% were in education/training (full or

part time)• 10% had a disability


Profile of parents (unweighted)Profile of parents (unweighted)

• Parents had children of a range of ages:– 40% with 0 – 7 year olds– 59% with 8 – 14 year olds– 38% with 15 – 18 year olds

• 14% of parents were from BME communities

• 14% of parents personally had a disability

• 11% had children with a disability


Method (2)Method (2)

• School data was weighted by the population in each school year

• Young people’s data was weighted by age, gender and ethnicity from the Census

• Only weighted data is shown for school children and young people in the report

• Parents’ data is broadly representative, so unweighted

• All fieldwork took place in October and November 2005


Key to chart coloursKey to chart colours

School children

Young people

Parents


Staying safeStaying safe


Perception of safety at schoolPerception of safety at school

31%

59%

7%

2%

29%

48%

15%

3%

Very safe Quite safe Not very safe Not safe at all

School Children (4881)

Parents (120)

Unweighted base: All respondents


Perception of safety outside school/out and Perception of safety outside school/out and aboutabout

17%

58%

20%

4%

9%

50%

32%

9%

2%

27%

52%

20%

Very safe Quite safe Not very safe Not safe at all

School Children (4881)

Young people (1079)

Parents (120)



Have any of the following things happened Have any of the following things happened to you/your child? (1)to you/your child? (1)


19%

12%

14%

16%

23%

26%

13%

26%

26%

2%

18%

18%

Been threatenedby others

Been offeredillegal drugs

Had other thingsstolen

Witnessed acrime

School children (4881)

Young people (1079)

Parents (120)


9%

14%

10%

6%

12%

7%

10%

10%

8%

20%

9%

8%

Had mobilephone stolen

Been bullied

Been physicallyattacked

Been raciallyabused orattacked


Young people (1079)

Parents (120)


Have any of the following things happened Have any of the following things happened to you/your child? (2)to you/your child? (2)


What ONE thing would make you/children feel What ONE thing would make you/children feel safer in Luton? % saying more/better policingsafer in Luton? % saying more/better policing

29%

45%

44%

School children

Young people

Parents

Unweighted base: All respondents School children (4881); Young people (1079); Parents (120)


Health and fitnessHealth and fitness


Thinking about your own/your child’s health and fitness, how worried are you about the following? (1)

21%

20%

18%

16%

11%

19%

19%

17%

11%

6%

27%

44%

33%

35%

31%

Sex and sexuallytransmittedinfections

Taking illegaldrugs

Teenagepregnancy

Smokingcigarettes

Drinking alcohol


Yong people (1079)

Parents (120)


% very worried


Thinking about your own/your child’s health and fitness, how worried are you about the following? (2)

12%

8%

9%

7%

5%

13%

9%

9%

6%

7%

23%

16%

15%

17%

18%

Your mental and emotional health(stress, depression)

Managing your weight

Your fitness and getting enoughexercise

A specific medical condition

Getting a balanced diet


Young people ((1079)

Parents (120)


% very worried


School children

(%)

Young people

(%)

Parents/guardians 48 44

Friends 36 38

Doctor/practice nurse 24 38

School teacher/school nurse 11 5

Internet/website/got advice online 9 15

Specialist clinic (e.g. Walk in centre, The Lodge) 4 11

I have not asked anyone 30 25

Unweighted sample bases (4881) (1079)

Have you asked any of the people in the list below for help or advice about any health issues in the last 12 months?



How would you rate your/child’s overall How would you rate your/child’s overall health for someone their age?health for someone their age?

Unweighted base: School children (4881); Young people (1079); Parents (120)

17%

39%

33%

5%2%

17%

38%36%

6%

1%

60%

29%

10%

1%

Very good Good OK Bad Very bad

School Children

Young People

Parents

0%


School children

(%)

Young people

(%)

Involved in more sports/ exercise 30 31

Better diet 19 16

Go to the gym/ join a sports club 13 19

Manage my weight better/ lose weight 4 5

Manage my weight better/ put on weight 2 1

Stop smoking 2 5


What, if anything, would you like to see improve for your health and fitness?



Parents

(%)

Involved in more sports/exercise 20

More/better activities/facilities available 13

Better diet 9

Less pollution in the area 3

More physical education in schools 3

More parks/open spaces 3

Stop smoking/taking drugs 3

More youth centres/clubs 2

More special needs activities 2

Cheaper facilities 2

Other 4

None/Don’t know 39

Unweighted sample bases (120)

What, if anything, would you like to see improve for your child’s health and fitness?



Getting involved and having Getting involved and having your sayyour say


Which of the following, if any, have you done in the last 12 months?

School children

(%)

Young people

(%)

Been involved in other decision making groups 29 24

Voted in school/college council elections 28 21

Helped people in your local area 25 20

Coached other young people in sport 18 12

Helped to improve your local environment 9 7

Other voluntary, charity or campaigning work 13 18

Sat on the school/college council 9 10

Peer mentoring 9 10

Something else to help the community 1 2

None of these/Not provided 35 41




School children

(%)

Young people

(%)

Parents

(%)

Questionnaires/questionnaires at school/college 33 39 22

Text messaging, e-mail or internet 28 37 6

Through the school/college/Uni council 22 28 58

Expressing ideas through video, drama or music 17 16 1

Through another adult e.g. Youth worker 15 10 9

Questionnaires outside school 14 n/a 4

Through Connexions Personal Adviser 12 11 3

Speaking with MPs and councillors 12 20 8

Forums and groups outside school/in community 11 12 19

Another way 1 1 8

I don't want to have a say 20 11 -

Not provided/Don’t Know 6 4 14

Unweighted sample bases (4881) (1079) (120)

How would you/your children most like to have your/their say about the issues that affect you/them?



Free timeFree time


School children

(%)

Young people

(%)

Parents

(%)

Socialising/ meeting friends/ spending time with boy/ girlfriend

45 52 51

Participate in sports/ exercise/ go to the gym

32 30 48

Using the computer/ computer games/ games consoles

28 18 8

Watch TV 20 15 37

Physical activity (inc. Cycling, dancing) 11 10 -

Listen to music 10 16 25

Study/ homework 9 11 -

Go shopping 7 10 13

Reading 6 11 4

Spend time with my family 6 8 -

Smoking 1 - -

Relaxing 5 10 -


What do you/your children do in your/their free time?Unweighted base: All respondents


School children

(%)

Young people

(%)

Parents

(%)

Activities are not available in Luton 25 39 28

Don't know what's available 22 25 32

Transport problems 21 33 26

Don't have time 17 21 14

Can't afford it 17 46 33

Worried about my/his/her safety travelling to and from activities

12 22 42

Parents/carers don't let me/him/her 10 5 3

Not interested in doing any activities 5 3 8

Another reason 2 3 2

Nothing stops me/them 27 14 30

Not provided 4 1 -


Is there anything that stops you/your child doing activities that you/they want to do in your/their free time?



Should the Council provide more, the same or fewer facilities and activities for young people?

82%

14%

1%

3%

More

The same

Fewer

Don’t know


Parents (120)


Should the Council provide lots of small scale youth Should the Council provide lots of small scale youth facilities or a reduced number of large scale facilities or a reduced number of large scale facilities?facilities?

Don’t know5%

More small scale56%

Fewer large scale39%


Parents (120)


Why should the Council provide more small scale facilities?

52%

9%

7%

6%

4%

4%

1%

1%

1%

12%

7%

Easy to access/commute

More/better quality facilities

Sense of community

More safer

Better communication

Bigger facilities are more well known

Easier to maintain/manage

Ability to socialise

Ability to control children

Other

Don’t knowUnweighted base: Where prefersmall scale facilities

Parents (67)


Why should the Council provide more larger scale facilities?

32%

13%

9%

9%

4%

4%

19%

17%

More/better qualityfacilities

Easier tomaintain/manage

Easy toaccess/commute

More enjoyable

Bigger facilities aremore well known

Ability to socialise

Other

Don't knowUnweighted base: Where prefer larger scale facilities

Parents (47)


AchievingAchieving


What are young people doing now?What are young people doing now?

10%

60%

1%

2%

3%

11%

3%

2%

2%

6%

Doing a jobwith training

Doing a jobwithout

Studyingfull-time at

InGovernment

In part-timeeducation

In part-timeemployment

Looking fora job

Studyingfull-time and

Other

Prefer not tosay/not


Young people (1079)


Highest qualification hoped to getHighest qualification hoped to get

7%

77%

8%

11%

9%

32%

30%

19%

1%

15%

1%

1%

6%

7%

16%

19%

5%

43%

2%

None

5+ GCSEs A-C

5+ GCSEs D-G

NVQ Level 1

NVQ Level 2

AS/A Level

Degree

Masters/PHD

Other

Not provided


Young people (1079)


*%


How well do you think you are doing at How well do you think you are doing at school at the moment? school at the moment?

Unweighted base: All School children (4881)

8%

28%32%

27%

Could do muchbetter

Could do a bitbetter

As well as I canin some things

As well as I canin most things

School Children


How much do you enjoy school at the How much do you enjoy school at the moment? moment?

Unweighted base: All School children (4881)

7%

21%

48%

18%

Don't enjoyanything I do at

all

Don't enjoymuch of what I

do

Enjoy some ofwhat I do

Enjoy most ofwhat I do

School Children


87%

81%

79%

78%

78%

81%

78%

75%

78%

89%

89%

90%

86%

81%

82%

Subjects that interest you

Regular feedback on progress

Individual help with difficulties

Chance to learn in different ways

Chance to do subjects related tojob opportunities

School children Young people Parents

How important are these things in helping How important are these things in helping you/your child do well in school/college, work you/your child do well in school/college, work or training?or training?

Unweighted base:All: School children (4881), young people (1079), parents (120)

% saying each is important


52%

39%

32%

33%

33%

44%

44%

39%

32%

47%

Subjects that interest you

Individual help with difficulties

Regular feedback on progress

Chance to learn in different ways

Chance to do subjects related tojob opportunities

School children Young people

How frequently do you have chance to do How frequently do you have chance to do these things?these things?

Unweighted base:All: School children (4881), young people (1079)

% saying at least once a month


Whether would prefer (child) to go to a single Whether would prefer (child) to go to a single or mixed sex school?or mixed sex school?

88%

8%

4%

80%

11%

9%

Mixed sexschool

Single sexschool

Notapplicable/not

provided

School children Parents

Unweighted base: All: School children (4881), parents (120)


35%

26%

33%

5%

30%

31%

33%

6%

Yes - to any sitein Luton

Yes - if the traveltime <15 minutes

No - not willingto travel

Not provided

School children Parents

Unweighted base: All: School children (4881), parents (120)

Whether willing (for child) to travel to Whether willing (for child) to travel to another school to do preferred subjects?another school to do preferred subjects?


Whether happy or unhappy with the variety Whether happy or unhappy with the variety of secondary schools on offer in Luton?of secondary schools on offer in Luton?


38%

52%

21%

36%

SCHOOL CHILDREN (4881) PARENTS (120)

Happy Happy UnhappyUnhappy


What could be done to make secondary What could be done to make secondary schools or further/higher education in Luton schools or further/higher education in Luton better ?better ?

• Around a third of all sample groups could not spontaneously think of anything that would make education in Luton better

• Main issues highlighted by all groups included– Better teachers (12% SC, 8% YP, 11% P)– Better choice of subjects (8% SC, 11% YP)– Improved discipline (8% SC, 2% YP, 15% P)– Improved facilities (7% SC, 2% YP)

• 8% of parents said a better teacher:student ratio would make secondary schools in Luton better


Views on opportunities for 16-19 year olds Views on opportunities for 16-19 year olds to stay on in education in Luton?to stay on in education in Luton?


12%

30%

38%

5%3%

22%

28%

23%

9%5%

VERY GOOD GOOD OK BAD VERY BAD

School Children (4881)Parents (120)


What would you like to do when you reach What would you like to do when you reach school leaving age?school leaving age?

57%

18%

10%

2%

7%

7%

Carry on with studies at a local college

Get a job WITH further training

Carry on with studies at school

Get a job WITHOUT further training

Not sure

Not provided

Unweighted base: School children (4881)



Whether happy or unhappy with what you are Whether happy or unhappy with what you are currently doing?currently doing?

74%

3%

12%

3%

5%

2%

1%

Unweighted base: Young people (1079)

% Happy with what I am currently doing

Would prefer to carry on with studies at school

Would prefer to carry on with studies at a local college/university

Would prefer to get a job WITH training

Would prefer to get a job WITHOUT training

Not sure

Not provided

UNHAPPY

Young people


Growing up in LutonGrowing up in Luton

School children

Young people

Parents

% % %

About jobs and training 61 71 77

About schools/colleges and exams 57 47 78

About further and higher education 52 47 73

About money and debt 41 55 67

About the law and my rights 37 47 61

About housing and finding a place to live 36 51 48

About sex 22 14 59

About social and leisure opportunities 28 41 60

About drugs and alcohol 18 15 64

About pregnancy and relationships 21 16 61

About the environment 18 19 61

(4881) (1079) (120)

What sort of information or support would What sort of information or support would help you/your child make the right choices help you/your child make the right choices about your life? about your life?

How would you/your child prefer to get this How would you/your child prefer to get this information or support?information or support?

53%

36%

34%

32%

23%

21%

14%

8%

41%

59%

27%

16%

20%

13%

9%

72%

42%

58%

68%

63%

73%

62%

34%

52%

School children

Young people

Parents

Unweighted base: School children (4881), young people (1079), parents (120)

Family/friends

Internet

Books/leaflets/ posters

Talking to Connexions PA

Talking to other adult (youth worker)

Talking to staff at school

Talking to health professionals

Telephone helpline

Can you see yourself/your child living or Can you see yourself/your child living or working in Luton for the rest of your/his/her working in Luton for the rest of your/his/her life? life?

10%49%

51%

42%

14%

11%School children

(4881)

Young people(1079)

Parents (120)

Base: All respondents. Figures in parentheses denote unweighted bases

NO YESNOT

SURE

33%

34%

34%

What is the BEST thing about growing up in What is the BEST thing about growing up in Luton?Luton?

17%

9%

2%

8%

7%

5%

5%

3%

2%

2%

16%

2%

10%

10%

6%

15%

4%

1%

3%

11%

Friends live in the area

Close to my family

The football team/Luton town FC

Good schools/ educational facilities

Good local facilities/ activities

Friendly people/ friendly environment

Multicultural/ diverse community

Familiarity/knowing the area/ people

Employment opportunities

Good shopping facilities

School children

Young people

Unweighted base: All: School children (4881), young people (1079)

What is the WORST thing about growing up in What is the WORST thing about growing up in Luton?Luton?

17%

7%

7%

6%

6%

5%

5%

4%

3%

3%

2%

2%

16%

6%

9%

7%

8%

8%

9%

8%

5%

2%

2%

9%

High crime rate

Drugs problem

Lack of cleanliness in the area

Unfriendly people/ antisocial behaviour

Nothing to do

Violence/ muggings

Not a safe area to live in

Racism/ racial tension

Lack of facilities/ activities (inc. sports)

Poor image/ reputation of the area

Poor education standards/ facilities

Bullying

School children

Young people

Unweighted base: All: School children (4881), young people (1079), parents (120)


School children

Young people

Parents

% % %

More facilities/ activities/ youth clubs 9 15 23

More activities/ facilities/ places to go 8 8 -

Reduce crime levels 7 5 9

Better educational standards/ facilities 6 4 23

Safer area to live/ more security 6 8 12

Study harder/ achieve higher qualifications 5 6 -

Cleaner environment 4 3 1

More money 2 6 -

More/ better employment opportunities 3 13 3

Tackle the drugs problem 2 2 6

Increased levels of policing 2 4 7

Get more exercise/ improve fitness 1 3 -

(4881) (1079) (120)

If you could change two things to improve If you could change two things to improve your life as a young person living in Luton, your life as a young person living in Luton, what would they be? what would they be?



Executive summaryExecutive summary


Staying safe (1)Staying safe (1)

• School is seen as safer for young people and parents than outside school– Young people and parents are more worried than

school children about safety outside school

• Threats, being offered illegal drugs, thefts and witnessing crime have been experienced by between one in eight and one in five school children– Young people more likely than school children to

have been offered illegal drugs or witnessed a crime


Staying safe (2)Staying safe (2)

• In general, parents are more worried than other groups about crime and safety

• The main thing that children, young people and parents in Luton say would make them feel safer is more or better policing


Health and fitness (1)Health and fitness (1)

• The main health worries for children and young people are STIs & teenage pregnancy and illegal drugs– School children are more likely than young people to be

worried about most health related issues– Parents are the most worried, with their top concerns

being drugs, smoking, alcohol and teenage pregnancy


Health and fitness (2)Health and fitness (2)

• Friends and family are the most common sources of health related help or advice– Young people tend to have consulted a greater range of

advice sources than school children

• Three fifths of parents think that their child’s health is very good – Less than one in five school children and young people

think this– Exercise and diet are seen as key in improving health

and fitness


Getting involvedGetting involved

• There is encouraging evidence of a lot of community engagement among children in Luton

• This could be built upon with more consultation via :– Questionnaires– Electronic communications– School/college/university based Councils


Free timeFree time

• The data suggests that there are some unmet needs in Luton in terms of facilities and activities for young people

• More information is required on what is available and where


Achieving (1)Achieving (1)• More than a quarter of school children think

they do as well as they can in most things at school

• Just under a fifth enjoy most of what they do

• Interest in subjects/activities and regular feedback are important in helping children and young people do well in school/college, work or training– However, generally only a minority of children and

young people feel they are getting these opportunities on a monthly basis


Achieving (2)Achieving (2)

• Parents and school children are fairly happy with the variety of secondary schools and further education options on offer in Luton– Young people feel the same about existing further

and higher education

• Most school children would like to continue with education in some form after they reach school leaving age– More than one in ten young people would like to

have a job with training

Growing up in Luton (1)Growing up in Luton (1)

• The diverse and multicultural community in Luton is appreciated by parents and young people– No one aspect of the town stands out as the best

thing about it– The crime rate, drugs problem and safety are most

commonly mentioned as the worst thing about living in Luton

• There are calls for better youth facilities, educational standards and employment opportunities in the town

Growing up in Luton (2)Growing up in Luton (2)• Support about education, jobs and training

would be appreciated by children and young people– Young people would prefer to find out this

information from books/leaflets/posters or the internet

– Schoolchildren would prefer to find out from friends or family

• Around half cannot see themselves (or their children) living and working in Luton for the rest of their lives


Conclusions and implications Conclusions and implications (1)(1)• School is seen as a safe place by school children and

parents– Need to better understand why parents feel children and

young people are unsafe outside of school and address their information needs

• There are strong concerns about crime expressed by all respondent groups

• Sex and relationships are key concerns for children and young people – and drugs

• Children and young people would welcome more variety in their education– as well as more regular feedback


Conclusions and implications Conclusions and implications (2)(2)• The majority of parents and school children would be

happy to travel/their children to travel to other sites for some subjects

• Some concerns about availability of employment opportunities in Luton– Calls for more jobs with training

• Luton’s multicultural community is appreciated– But need to make living and working in Luton more aspirational

Because People MatterBecause People MatterBecause People Matter

For further information, please contact:Linda Balodis, Account Manager

Tel No : 0121-333-6006E-mail : [email protected]

because people matter surveys of parents, young people and schoolchildren in luton written report...

Documents