GLOUCESTERSHIRE FUTURES

THE CHILDREN & YOUNGPEOPLE'S WELLBEINGCOALITIONSeptember 2021

An African proverb states that it takes a village or

community to raise a child and this is one of the

beliefs of the Gloucestershire's Children & Young

People Wellbeing Coalition.

Introduction

Gloucestershire is fortunate to have a richtapestry of statutory, faith, commercial andcommunity organisations which work withfamilies and young people to support theirdevelopment. However, they do not alwayswork together to maximise their use ofresources and talent for the benefit of all.

The Coalition was founded in 2020 and isrooted in Section 10 of the 2004 Children’s Actwhich gives responsibility to the CountyCouncil to co-ordinate partner activity forsecuring the health and wellbeing of allchildren and young people. It also links to theCounty's 2050 Vision. It operates alongsidethe Gloucestershire Safeguarding ChildrenPartnership (GSCP) with its focus on theefficacy of multi-agency safeguardingarrangements across the county. Partnerscurrently include statutory agencies, schoolsand colleges, the Voluntary and CommunitySector Alliance, the Local EnterprisePartnership and faith communities.

In 2021 the Coalition made tentative stepsforward during the Covid pandemic but theCoalition and its responsible body, Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board,has encouraged it to be increasinglyambitious as the county moves towardsrecovery.

This document sets out the Coalition’s visionand mission which are derived from extensiveconsultation, particularly with young people.

The Coalition has a particular approach to itswork which marks it out from many otherorganisations:

It will look at the county and the servicesprovided through the eyes of the youngperson and their families:It will develop work programmes whichwill be strategic in intent and directedtowards clear targets and outcomes;It will always work in a cross -organisational way in order to bring themost appropriate talent and experiencearound the table to solve problems, manyof which have been present in thecommunity for some time; all partnerswill have parity of esteem;It will seek opportunities to draworganisations together to maximise theuse of resourcesIt will evaluate its work according to ‘valuefor money’ principles but will also reporton what it has achieved in relation to, forexample, equality, diversity and access.

Informed by these principles this documentsets out the rationale for the Coalition andhow it will operate. It then considersengagement issues.

The actions/outcomes of our current workprogrammes are then set out and thebrochure concludes with the currentmembership of the Coalition Board.

We look forward to working with you in thecoming years on this important agenda andhope you will refer issues to us as our workdevelops.

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The Covid pandemic has been described as perhaps the most significant

challenge facing the United Kingdom since the Second World War. Its effects

have been felt in all aspects of our society and whilst the long term impacts

are not yet fully understood, they are likely to be significant and enduring.

Part 1: The case for change

The evidence that has emerged to date isthat the pandemic has exacerbated manypre-existing inequalities, impactingdisproportionately on the most vulnerableand disadvantaged. The most recent Child Health Profile (2019)published prior to the pandemic shows thatoutcomes for children and young people inGloucestershire are on the whole at, oraround, national averages. In contrast,outcomes for vulnerable, disadvantagedand marginalised groups are less positive,with the gaps in some respects greater thanother localities and some increasing. Covidis likely to have widened these gaps further. On a more positive note, the challengesposed by Covid have further highlighted theimportance of strong, local partnershiprelationships in driving change andresponding swiftly to changingcircumstances.

The Children and Young People's WellbeingCoalition aims to provide a strategic forumto influence and direct positive change, andenable a coherent whole system responseas we move from response to recovery. Ifthe Health and Wellbeing Board isnecessarily pre-occupied with the wellbeingof all Gloucestershire citizens, the Childrenand Young People’s Wellbeing Coalition willplay a similar role for the wellbeing of allchildren and young people in the county.

Over the past twelve months a number ofnational initiatives have set out a futuredirection of travel for services for childrenand young people. The Early Years HealthyDevelopment Review Report: The Best Startfor Life proposes a multi-agency, hub basedmodel to provide seamless support forfamilies at the earliest stages of life. Integralto realising its vision, is a shared approachtowards the leadership of change, withstrong local accountability and the activeparticipation of all sectors. Alongside this,the Independent Review of Children’s SocialCare: The Case for Change, makes the casefor a pivot away from acute servicestowards effective early help.

The reform agenda over the past ten ormore years has left a complex andatomised operational landscape, that canbe challenging for practitioners, let alonechildren and families to navigate. Ourability to respond effectively to theseagendas will require a strategic forum toengage sectors and mobilise partners indeveloping and delivering our sharedvision. This can be a particular challenge ina large and diverse county likeGloucestershire. In conclusion, the Children and YoungPeople's Wellbeing Coalition must becomethe place where change is discussed andmandated at the earliest opportunity withauthentic and ongoing engagement andconsultation with young people at its heart.

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The Children and Young People's Wellbeing Coalition is intended to be the

focal point in the county for the development of services for all children,

young people and their families as part of a collective response to Section 10

of the Children's Act (2004).

Part 2: The Coalition

This Act places a duty on the Directorfor Children's Services (DCS) and LeadMember for Children's Services (LMCS)to co-ordinate the work of localpartners to secure the health andwellbeing of all children and youngpeople.

The Coalition comprises a diverse rangeof organisations from faith, voluntary,commercial and statutory sectors tosecure the wellbeing of all children andyoung people in the county.

We aspire to become a county where allchildren and young people flourish, a'child and young person friendly'county, within which all partners viewchildren and young people as an assetto be valued and nurtured for thefuture as part of LeadershipGloucestershire's 2050 Vision.

Working with young people andlistening to their diverse voicesAchieving change for the benefitof all of the county’s children andyoung peopleEquality of opportunity for all ofthe county’s children and youngpeopleCollaborationParity of esteem between allengaged in the workBuilding trust between CoalitionpartnersOpenness, transparency andaccountabilityHonesty and integrity

Operating PrinciplesThe work of the Coalition will beunderpinned by the followingprinciples:

Information sharing and themanagement of data can be foundhere:

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High quality education

at all stages of their

learning and are

equipped with skills

for life

OUR VISIONWE ASPIRE TO A COUNTY WHERE ALL

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

FLOURISH

Through our Coalition we will ensure all

children and young people have access to:

Services which

support them in living

healthy lives

An environment

where they are safe

from harm

Opportunities to

tackle climate change

postively

The economic and

social benefits of

living in the county,

including physical and

digital connectivity

Affordable recreation

and cultural activities

We will achieve this by:

working collaboratively and

transparently across a wide

range of public sector, faith,

community, voluntary and

commercial organisations to

maximise effectiveness

engaging diverse groups

of children and young

people and their families

in shaping services for

their benefit

tackling inequalities

and drawing on

evidence to develop

services

reflecting on work

programmes and their

outcomes and evaluating

progress against our

ambitions.

The Coalition's Terms of Reference

The Coalition will report to the Health & Wellbeing Board and will:

Develop a regular programme ofaction planning for defined areas ofwork, expected outcomes andtimescales for completion togetherwith resource requirements.

Provide a co-ordinating link to thewider network of groups, plans andstrategies for children and youngpeople in the county.

Provide regular reports on progressto the Health and Welling Board.

Establish working groups to achieveits aims or work through existinggroups as appropriate – The firstthree priority areas are: mentalhealth; pre-birth to 5 years; andtransition from school tocollege/work. Each Working Groupwill have separate written TORs.

Explore issues of concern referredto it by Coalition partners.

Establish arrangements to engageand consult with children and youngpeople to ensure their views informthe work of the Coalition andexplore whether positive change isachieved.

Develop a communications plan andensure key partners are informedabout and involved in the work ofthe Coalition.

Develop a data dashboard andparticipate in benchmarkingactivities to ensure services aredemonstrably improving and theaims of the Coalition are being met.

Establish regional, national andinternational links to draw-inexpertise and best practice.

Maintain a risk register tounderstand and mitigate threats toprogress; supported by exceptionreporting on a regular basis so thatrisks are debated and provisionagreed for them to be wellmanaged.

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L E A D E R S H I P G L O U C E S T E R S H I R E

V i s i o n f o r t h e c o u n t y

S t e e r i n g G r o u p

D i r e c t o r o f P a r t n e r s h i p s

& S t r a t e g y

P r o j e c t S u p p o r t O f f i c e r

D a t a A n a l y t i c s

A d m i n s u p p o r t

S u b g r o u p s a n d T a s k & F i n i s h

g r o u p st o a d d r e s s k e y

t h e m e s a n da c t i v i t i e s e g :F a m i l y H u b s

H E A L T H & W E L L B E I N G B O A R D

H e a l t h a n d w e l l b e i n g o ft h e w h o l e p o p u l a t i o n

H e a l t h a n d w e l l b e i n g o f a l l c h i l d r e n a n dy o u n g p e o p l e ( p r e - b i r t h t o 1 8 ( 2 5 + ) )

P r i o r i t y P r o j e c t sP r e - b i r t h t o 5T r a n s i t i o n t oe m p l o y m e n t / F EM e n t a l H e a l t hV a l u e s

O v e r s i g h t &a s s u r a n c e

o f a l l e x i s t i n gp a r t n e r s h i p s a n d

p l a n s f o r C Y Pe . g . V a l u e s G r o u p s

T H E C O A L I T I O N

E n g a g e m e n t & C o m m u n i c a t i o n s w i t h C Y P

W o r k w i t h y o u t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a n d g r o u p sS p e c i f i c / t h e m a t i c c o m m s a c t i v i t yF e e d b a c k f r o m C Y P a r o u n d i m p a c t a n d c h a n g e

The Children and Young People's Wellbeing Coalition relates to the wider

governance framework of the county in the following way

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Embedding young people andfamilies in the work streams so theyare at the heart of strategy andpolicy development. They arecurrently involved in the MentalHealth work stream and in thatrelated to the Transition fromSchool to Work;

Mapping the groups and facilities inthe county which are available tochildren and young people. This willidentify gaps in provision and waysin which they might be filled;

Developing with young people thechannels most appropriate to use inthe context of the work of theCoalition.

The Coalition is designed to be the focal point in the county for the

development of services for all children, young people and their families under

Section 10 of the Children's Act (2004).

Part 3: Engagement

Ensuring that a wide range of youngpeople is involved in the work of theCoalition and that authenticdialogue is achieved on a range ofissues. It is possible that anchorinstitutions will be identified in eacharea of the county and they will beused, in addition to schools andcolleges, to act as conduits, whereappropriate, to gather youngpeople's views;

The Coalition's approach will only besuccessful if it engages with youngpeople, families and communitypartners at each step of the way.

The intention is to 'hear' the manyvoices of diverse groups and to use thefindings to drive the changes which,within the resource constraints set, willmake a real difference to youngpeople's lives to support this process.

The Engagement programme is at itsformative stage. It currently includesthe following:

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Working with children, young people and families, the Coalition has

developed a number of priority workstreams. As appropriate, young people

will be embedded in these to enable and facilitate wider consultation with

their peers.

Part 4: Priority Work

Streams (2021)

Best Start in Life

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Emotional Wellbeing, MentalHealth and Young People

Transition to Work/Further Education

Exploration of Values andEthical Issues (related to theCoalition's work)

The work programme is dynamic and already there is a discussion about theCoalition being centrally involved in the Family Hubs development.

Best Start in Life subgroup

Working Group 1: Best Start in Life

The Best Start in Life Group draws upon the perspectives of a wide range of partnersregarding the provision of a range of services, universal and targeted, fromconception to five years old. The working group seeks generally to:

Listen to children and their families from across Gloucestershire so that we canunderstand the barriers and enablers to better health and wellbeing and ensurethat their wishes are at the heart of everything we do.Work in partnership to identify children that would benefit from earlyintervention and support services but are not currently doing so.Hold shared accountability for improving outcomes for those aged pre 0-5.Ensure that clear information on services and support is available and accessible,including to families who may be less likely to access support and who may needit the most.Support the development of the national Start for Life offer as this is rolled out.Provide support to address the impact of COVID-19 on families.Work in partnership, and escalate where necessary, workforce and pathwayissues that prevent or restrict the delivery of the support services needed inGloucestershire (e.g. workforce capacity).Facilitate integrated commissioning and provision which enables efficient,effective and child friendly services.

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Governance

Attachment and responsive parentingChildhood povertyHealthy lifestyles including oral healthChildhood immunisations in 0-5 yearoldsSchool readiness (with a focus onthose in receipt of free school meals)Vulnerable children

Best Start in Life is a priority for the Healthand Wellbeing Board. The Joint Healthand Wellbeing Strategy sets out key areasof focus for the Best Start in Life including:

Health and Wellbeing Board

The Children & YoungPeople's Wellbeing Coalition

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Links into existing workstreams

A number of groups and teams work with the Best Start in Life Group which supportthe delivery of its objectives, e.g. Better Births Maternity Transformation Programme,Infant Feeding Strategic Partnership and ACE's Panel.

To avoid duplication of the various groups and teams' responsibilities, the mainfocus of the Best Start in Life Group is on promoting attachment and positiveparenting, improving outcomes for young children and ensuring the voice of childrenand families is at the heart of everything we do.

Targets and Outcomes

A robust offer of universally, available to all, provision in all communities of thecounty for parents and young children (pre 0-4) based on research, data andfeedback from parents/children.Early Years workforce (including universal parent/baby groups) that is confidentand skilled to identify and support children who have experienced trauma.Accessible targeted support for those children who are at risk of falling behind.Understanding and addressing the barriers to accessing support for someparents/communities (i.e. Health visitor 2 year old development review, 2 yearold funded nursery provision, universal parent/baby support).Proactive systems in place to identify and support children at risk of fallingbehind.

The key aims of the work to improve outcomes for young children include:

Parents and baby/toddler groups accessible to all, in all areas of the countyFeedback from parents to reflect a better understanding of how to support theirchild's developmentAn increase in take up of the 2 year old funded Early Years provision from 71% to75%More 2 year olds open to social care taking up their EY Childcare/Early Educationentitlement (currently 40% of eligible 2 year olds take up the offer and the targetis 60%+)An increased percentage take up of Health Visitor 2 year old developmentalreviews (currently 84.1% receive a review before 2.5 years: target 95%)Increasing the percentage of children attaining a good level of development atthe end of EYFS (medium term goal) (current attainment is 72% and the target is73%, but data collection changes may affect this)Narrowing the EYFS attainment gaps for children in receipt of free school mealsand black/white children in line with national average (medium term goal)Increasing the number of Early Years practitioners trained in ACEs and traumainformed practice (short term goal)Feedback from practitioners to reflect an increased understanding of changedpractice that has enabled them to support children who have experiencedtrauma.

Measurable targets/outcomes comprise:

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Providing a link for schools offering advice and support for children and youngpeople about whom the schools are concerned.Providing 1:1 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in groups or via the parentingyounger children around lower level anxiety, low mood, behavioural needs andother low level mental health needs.Provision of Senior Practitioners where there is complexity or risk which requiresspecialist mental health assessments.

Young People have told us that good mental health and wellbeing is really importantto them. The Young Minds Matter Mental Health Support Teams provide support tochildren and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health needs: theycurrently operate in parts of the county. This project seeks to use parts of GloucesterCity as a demonstration project: lessons learned will be promoted across the cityand county. The teams generally have a number of functions including:

Working Group 2: Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health and

Young People

Respiratory Conditions & Housing

Patient cohort:

High Intensity Users

Patient cohort:

To complement this the Team are testing out creative approaches to support healthand wellbeing using the arts and nature

To date this approach has been positively evaluated, including achieving reduceddemand to high-end interventions.

Building on this Trailblazer work in Gloucester City where we know mental healthneeds are more prevalent and inequalities impact on health outcomes the Teams willbe working with a small number of schools in an area in Gloucester City as ademonstration project.

There will be an exploration of what could help reduce inequalities and improve theemotional and mental wellbeing of children and families utilising data on needs,outcomes and best practice and working closely with children, families, schools andpartners, ensuring coproduction drives initiatives.

The Teams will look at developing a range of meaningful indicators of success andvalue with young people in addition to using some existing indicators such as thepupil wellbeing survey indicators.

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Working Group 3: Transition to Work/Further Education

The aim of the workstream is to review what works and what does not work in termsof careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG). Using thisinformation the group will work to improve careers support and work experienceprogrammes so young people are better prepared to make the transition to work.Current context

Lagged and incomplete dataDifferent organisations being responsible for collating and presenting data sets(e.g. youth employment, youth unemployment, student destinations)Schools and colleges have limited resources to support and provide sufficientnon-teaching time for careers leadsSome schools and colleges not prioritising the recording and return of theircareers (Compass +) data returns, partly as a result of Covid-19 and otherpressuresEmployers need help engaging effectively with schools and colleges and viceversa. This is particularly the case for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) andmicro businessesThe result of this complexity results in young people and adults who seeksupport and guidance facing multiple challenges.

It is recognised that the landscape is complex and congested and that this presentssystemic challenges including:

Aims of the working group

maximise youth employmentminimise youth unemployment

Find sustainable solutions to timely data capture to better understand thelandscape and the issues.Provide greater visibility to the nature and range of opportunities available in thelocal labour marketEngage the local education system in developing a consistent CEIAG offer andensuring termly self-assessment returns to the Careers Hub (Compass + returns)to drive and monitor improvement and support needed.Ensure a rich careers offer is available (e.g. interview practice: 'Dragons Den' typecompetitions: business breakfast; mentoring) which provides an effective bridgebetween the education and employment sectors; costs need to be scoped and afunding stream established.Secure an effective, coherent service which supports all young people indeveloping their potential and meets the changing needs of the local labourmarket.

The key aims are to:

For these aims to be achieved and targets to be set there will be a need to:

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Working Group 4: Exploration of Values and Ethical Issues

Seek to establish working definitions of key words and phrases for the Coalitione.g. wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, equality, fairness, kindness and Building BackBetter. As part of this it will consider how the work of the Coalition can bestrengthened by establishing ways in which signs of desired change can be'measured'.Ensure that the Coalition listens to the 'voices' of those not normally around thetable.Consider the Campaign Programme which the Coalition adopts to ensure thevalues of the Coalition are being promoted by such activities.Consider issues referred to it from time to time and recommend a course ofaction if conflicts arise in relation to the values being espoused by the Coalition.Receive an annual report of the Coalition's work related to values (issues to befocused upon to be agreed on an annual basis with the Coalition Board).

The Coalition recognises that its agenda relates to particular values, definitions ofwhich are contested. It also recognises that its work relates to fundamental beliefsabout the nature of human beings and society. The Group will explore such issues inorder to achieve common understandings and purposes and assist the Coalition inits work. It will:

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The Coalition brings together a broad and diverse range of agencies from

across all sectors, with a shared commitment to improving outcomes for

children and young people in the county.

Part 5: Coalition Partners &

Board Members

It is the breadth and diversity that is its strength in enabling it to develop acomprehensive appreciation of activity and its effectiveness.

A further feature is our commitment to establish an authentic and evolving dialoguewith children and young people to inform our work.

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My passion and drive is simple: I want to see all young peoplereach their potential. In my role with Young Gloucestershire Iwork with disadvantaged young people aged 11 to 25 who arefacing challenges in their lives. Alongside this I also leadInfobuzz, a county-wide organisation which offers therapeuticand practical support for families and young people withcomplex needs. For me, this is more than a job and you willoften find me raising money for Young Gloucestershire in myspare time. I am hoping to bring this passion to the Coalitionand ensure the voices of all young people are heard.

Part 6: Who we areWe have a diverse group of individuals from a wide range oforganisations who make up our Coalition Board.

As a parent of two children who have come through the schooland college system in Gloucestershire, I understand theimportance of making sure young people are supportedthrough their schooling and beyond.In my current role, I'mresponsible for the work of the Gloucestershire Careers Hubwhich brings schools, colleges and alternative provisiontogether to work with business and employer organisations toinspire young people and help them make sound careerchoices. I am hoping I can help the Coalition develop thisfurther and ensure all young people get the help they need tomake the right choices for them.

Peter Carr, Director of Emplyment and Skills, GLep

Tracy Clark, Chief Executive Officer, YoungGloucestershire/Infobuzz

Lord Michael Bichard, Independent memberWe have said for many decades that ‘every childmatters’.However, we continue to ignore their voice in thedecision making process. I am delighted to be part of thisCoalition which seeks to do just that, put the voice of ourchildren and young people at the heart of our work. In doingso, we can seek to affect real and meaningful change.

Jo ArnoldIn 2018 I joined the Gloucestershire’s Office of the Police andCrime Commissioner after teaching primary aged children for 7years. My experience of teaching children has given me abroad understanding of various aspects of young people andhas opened my eyes to the diverse challenges that many faceon a daily basis. I want to be part of the Coalition because I ampassionate about young people and making sure they have asmany opportunities to shine as possible

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Like so many of my Coalition colleagues, I believe children andyoung people deserve the best start in life. As a grandfather, Ican see how important it is to ensure that the voice of theyoungest members of our communities are captured andheard. Having always worked in Information Technology, I cansee the opportunities the digital world presents in engagingeffectively with children and young people.

Cllr Stephen Davis, Cabinet Member for Children’sSafeguarding and Early Years

I joined the Coalition because I believe we should try to giveall young people the best possible start in life. After years ofworking in the public sector in both health and localgovernment, I understand that so many organisations want todo their best but sometimes don’t join up their work. I amhoping I can help foster stronger partnership workingthrough the Coalition. Away from this, I enjoy looking after mybees, brass bands and rare breed sheep!

Amanda Deeks, Independent Member

Having worked for over a decade in government, Gareth has leda range of innovative programmes to improve public serviceswhile meeting challenging savings targets. As the ChiefExecutive of Cheltenham Borough Council he is leading anorganisation that is delivering a programme that seeks to makeCheltenham the cyber capital of the UK, bring sustainable andinclusive growth and support the economy and the borough torecover from Covid-19.

Gareth Edmundson

Proud to have been working for the NHS for a number of yearsin both clinical and strategic roles; passionate about workingtogether with children, young people, families and partners toimprove health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.

Currently Programme Director leading on the Children andYoung Peoples Mental Health and Maternity Transformationprogrammes in Gloucestershire.

Helen Ford

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For me, Child Friendly Gloucestershire is more than a Board. Asa hands-on Head Teacher at a Gloucestershire Primary School,I can see how positive changes make a difference to the lives ofchildren. If I can’t see it, they are always very quick to tell meabout the good things in their lives. I want to bring this to theCoaltion and make sure the voice of the youngest people inour county are heard. To have the opportunity to listen, firstand foremost, to children and young people about whatmatters most to them and then have the opportunity to workhard together to make a difference, is a challenge that leadersof schools across the county and I are ready to embrace.

Julie Fellows, Headteacher of Fairford School andrepresentative of the Gloucestershire Associationof Primary Headteachers (GAPH)

Baroness Rennie Fritchie, Independent MemberThere is nothing more important than giving children the beststart in life. Their today is our tomorrow and the care andinvestment we make now will lead to confident and aspiringyoung people and thriving adults. This contributes to anaspiring and thriving community. Child FriendlyGloucestershire is a way to bring this ambition to life and I amdelighted to be part of this change programme.

After 30 years as an English teacher in a variety of secondaryschools, I am still amazed by our young people. Theirresilience, their passion and their dedication isoutstanding.Now more than ever. My hope from Child FriendlyGloucestershire is that all young people see a tangibledifference to their lives here and that future generations buildon the work we start now.

Kirsten Harrison,

I am an optimist and I believe that change for the greater goodis possible. It sometimes happens more slowly than somewould like but for change to be effective, it has to be right. Thisis so true for our young people. When they need our help, weneed to be sure they are heard, understood and able to accesswhat they need, when they need it. This is fundamental tobuilding a brighter future for them and future generations.

Mary Hutton, Accountable Officer,Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group

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I have worked in various roles, across agencies, supportingchildren and young people for over 20 years. I have alwaysbeen committed to improving outcomes for young people andnow in my role as Head of Early Years, I am passionate aboutdoing all we can to give children the best start in life. To make areal difference it is vital for all partners to work together, tolisten and to hear what young people and families are tellingus is important to them. The Coalition provides thisopportunity for positive joined up working that will see tangiblechange; I am excited to be part of it.

Sarah Hylton

Compared to some of the other Board members I am relativelynew to Gloucestershire. However, my commitment to thecounty is clear and our young people are vital to our successand future growth. What I am enjoying about startingsomewhere new is that I see the county through the eyes ofmy young grandchildren. Listening to them and seeing themrespond to things that many take for granted is a great way toshape my thoughts and work in the future.

Rhiannon Kirk, Assistant Chief Constable,Gloucestershire Constabulary

I have worked in the third sector for more years than I want toadmit! But my time has shown the important role charity andnot-for-profit organisations have in getting the voice of youngpeople heard, especially those hard-to-reach voices.Nowmore than ever, this is vital to the work going on across thecounty. I believe actions speak louder than words and I lookforward to bringing the Child Friendly Gloucestershire agendato life.

Matt Leonard, Chief Officer, VCS Alliance

Elaine Pearson-Scott, Executive DirectorGloucestershire Nightstop and Chair ofGloucestershire Voluntary Sector BME Network.I am a Gloucestershire girl, born and bred. After movingaround the UK for education and work, I came back toGloucester for family reasons and now I can’t imagine livinganywhere else. I have worked with young people throughoutmy career and want to support those in Gloucestershire duringtimes of difficulty. I hope to bring a different voice to theCoalition to make sure all young people are represented.

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In my experience strong working relations, collaboration andintegration are vital to success. This is why I am so excitedabout the opportunities the Child Friendly GloucestershireCoalition presents. In my role, I see the benefits truecollaboration brings and I hope I can bring this skill andexperience to help the Coalition drive the agenda forward.

Sarah Scott, Exectuive Director of Adult SocialCare and Public Health, Gloucestershire CountyCouncil

I'm an avid Birmingham City fan but left behind my belovedhometown to join Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) in 2012,going on to become its CEO. As a dad of two young children,one of the great things about moving to Gloucestershire is thatit is an amazing county to grow up in. However, my twelveyears in the housing sector have taught me that there isn’t alevel playing field of opportunity for all children. I want everychild in the county to have the same opportunities to be whatthey want to be and that is why I want to be part of the Boardof Child Friendly Gloucestershire.

Steve Slater, CEO Cheltenham Borough Homes

As a Gloucestershire resident for more than 40 years, mychildren have been born and bred in the county. They attendedlocal schools which has served them well and I understand thedifference the right educational environment can make to achild. I also understand just how important a positivechildhood is. All children deserve the best possible start in lifeand I look forward to the opportunity the Coalition brings tomake this happen for all our young people.

Chris Spencer, Director of Children's Services,Gloucestershire County Council

God has always been part of my life. As a student I volunteeredwith the Missions to Seafarers first in Rotterdam and then inFremantle, Western Australia, meeting seafarers of all nationsand faiths. In 2010 I moved with my wife and two children toGloucestershire to become Archdeacon of Cheltenham. Duringmy time here I have been able to develop my commitment tochildren through my work with schools and I am currently theChair of the Diocesan Board of Education and a trustee of AllSaints Academy in Cheltenham.

Bishop Robert Springett, Bishop of Tewkesbury,Diocese of Gloucester

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It is a privilege to chair the Coalition and bring such a talentedgroup together for the greater good. We can achieve so muchmore by working together and a collaborative style is one ofthe skills I am hoping to bring to the Coalition.I have beeninvolved in working with young people for most of my adult lifeand I firmly believe that all deserve the best possible start inlife. I also consider that as a community we should help themto be the best that they can be. I look forward to working withthe other Coalition members on making a real and tangibledifference to our children and young people.

Dame Janet Trotter, Chair of The GloucestershireChildren & Young People's Coalition

Other members of the team:Andy Dempsey (Coalition Lead Officer)More than 30 years working in a wide range of local authority rolesand partnership arrangements has taught me the value of workingtogether. In my current role as the Director of Partnerships andStrategy for Gloucestershire County Council Children’s Services, Ihope to strengthen and grow the relationships already in actionacross the county.

Kim Brierley (Communications)As a mum of two young children, I believe the work Child FriendlyGloucestershire is doing is invaluable. I have worked in thecommunications industry for more than 15 years and I'm hoping tohelp the Coalition really find and listen to the voice of all youngpeople.