In Hampshire, there are areas of affluence, but also areas of significant deprivation. The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2007 is a measure used to define deprivation at small area level, based on:

• educational skills and training;

• crime and disorder;

• health deprivation and disability;

• employment;

• income;

• living environment; and

• barriers to housing and services.

The levels of deprivation in Hampshire are shown in diagram 1 below (the pink spots identify those areas which are in the 10% most deprived nationally).

Diagram 1: Deprivation levels in Hampshire

Further information on the 2007 IMD

Approximately 12,800 children in Hampshire schools live in areas which are among the 30% most deprived in the country (IMD, 2007).

There are also children who live in relative poverty in the more affluent areas of Hampshire. In the 30% most affluent lower super output areas, 9.2% of children receiving child benefit are dependent on workless benefits (Department for Work and Pensions, April 2006 and IMD 2007).

8.3% of primary school children and 6.4% of secondary school children in the county are eligible for free school meals (7,945 primary school pupils and 4,562 secondary school pupils in November 2008).

• physical health problems and lower life expectancy;
• poor nutrition and childhood obesity;
• poor and overcrowded housing;
• unemployment and low family income;
• family mental health issues;
• lack of access to basic amenities;
• more anti-social behaviour in their local community;
• low aspiration and low self-esteem;
• speech, language and communication difficulties on admission to school;
• lower attainment;
• poor school attendance and exclusion;
• lack of access to leisure, cultural and recreational facilities;
• lack of access to safe places to play and socialise;
• higher rates of teenage pregnancy;
• not continuing in education post-16.

Using our resources to help you reach your potential, so that you enjoy success at school and can look forward to further and higher education, training and employment, reducing the risk of experiencing poverty in your adult lives.

Providing you with access to out-of-school care and activities, so that your parents and carers have increased opportunities and choices for balancing work and family life, secure in the knowledge that there are places where you are safe, well looked after and enjoying yourself when away from home.

The number of children and young people in Hampshire who  experienced being in care during 2008 was 1,451 (the number of children who have been in care, rather than the number of times they have been in care).

Over 70% of children in care live in foster homes.

Only 4.9% of children in care achieve five A*-C grade GCSEs including English and Maths (2007/08).

• traumatic life events and family trauma;
• lack of supportive family networks;
• emotional and mental health difficulties;
• instability of placements;
• poor school attendance and exclusion;
• low educational attainment;
• lack of access to leisure, cultural and recreational facilities;
• lack of access to safe places to play and socialise without adult supervision;
• higher rates of teenage pregnancy;
• poor accommodation after leaving care;
• unemployment and not continuing in education or training post-16.

Supporting you to be successful in school and ensuring that you have every opportunity to fulfil your ambitions through further education, training and employment.

Increasing stability for you by securing more local, family based care placements.

Giving you more choice, by providing more placement options and opportunities for adoption, when appropriate.

Striving to provide the best possible standard of care for you.

Ensuring that the six areas identified in the Pledge to Children in Care are delivered.

It is estimated that approximately 6% of children and young people in Hampshire aged 0-18, will have a mental health difficulty within the current year (MIND, 2008).

• isolation and social exclusion;
• anxiety, depression and phobias;
• hyperactivity, withdrawal or dissociative disorders;
• self harm;
• attempted suicide;
• eating disorders;
• substance and alcohol abuse;
• child abuse;
• domestic violence;
• family breakdown;
• bullying and lack of friendship;
• truanting and exclusion;
• under achievement.

Providing you with accessible and dedicated mental health services to help you develop the skills and resilience you need to get through difficult times.

Supporting you when members of your family have mental health difficulties, so you do not have to cope on your own.

Ensuring that your school curriculum enables you to take part in a range of activities that support your social and emotional well-being. These might include music, art, or other areas of interest.

2,364 children and young people attend Hampshire’s maintained special schools (Annual School Census and SEN2 Survey, 2007).

2.5% of school pupils have a statement of Special Educational Needs (Annual School Census and SEN2 Survey, 2007). A breakdown of the type of SEN/disability is provided in diagram 2 below.

Diagram 2: Statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Source: Hampshire Annual Schools Census and SEN2 Survey, January 2007

• multiple assessments by multiple agencies;
• family stress;
• poverty;
• social and emotional needs;
• mental health issues;
• social exclusion and lack of understanding within the community;
• inequity because of postcode and eligibility criteria restrictions to services;
• bullying and prejudicial attitudes;
• lack of access to childcare, short breaks, positive activities, informal play and leisure facilities;
• long travel times to and from school;
• difficult transition into adulthood;
• lack of information;
• under achievement.

Identifying any special educational needs you have as early as possible and helping you succeed in school so that you make good progress and fulfil your potential.

Making sure that our schools, services and community facilities are accessible to you and your parents.

Delivering the Aiming High for Disabled Children offer and implementing the Every Disabled Child Matters Charter, in partnership with you, your parents and carers.

There are approximately 3,300 young carers (1% of 0-19 year olds) in Hampshire (2001 Census).

• loss of childhood;
• mental health issues;
• lack of access to basic necessities;
• poverty;
• social exclusion and misunderstanding;
• family trauma;
• lack of supportive family networks;
• lack of access to holidays, positive activities, informal play and leisure facilities;
• absence from school and under achievement;
• low self-esteem.

Ensuring that you have the same opportunities and choices as other children and young people to succeed at school, participate in activities out-of-school and have fun.

Providing support and counselling when you need it and creating opportunities for you to meet with other young carers, including specialist projects and community based activities.

Raising awareness and understanding of the challenges you face with all those who work with and support you and your family.

There are 582 children with a child protection plan in Hampshire. This is 0.19% of all children and young people in the county (January 2009).

• post traumatic stress;
• emotional and mental health problems including anxiety, depression, phobia and self harm;
• guilt and anger;
• eating disorders;
• domestic violence and abuse;
• trafficking;
• family breakdown;
• bullying;
• truanting;
• social isolation;
• under achievement;
• lack of friendship;
• substance and alcohol abuse.

Doing everything possible to keep you safe from harm and taking action to prevent and stop abuse, including not tolerating bullying.

Helping you to understand and deal with your feelings. Providing someone who will listen to, and support you, when you need it.

Making sure you have opportunities to enjoy and achieve, both in and out of school.

3.2% of children and young people in Hampshire belong to a black or ethnic minority group (2001 Census).

0.14% (240) school pupils identified themselves as Gypsy or Traveller in the 2007 School Census.

5.2% of Hampshire school pupils say they have been picked on in school because of their race or colour (Pupil Attitude Survey, 2008).

6.4% of school pupils in the county say their ethnicity is other than white (Hampshire School Census, 2007).  A breakdown is provided in diagram 3.

Diagram 3: Ethnicity of school pupils

• bullying;
• misunderstanding and lack of respect for their cultural heritage;
• inadvertent and overt prejudice;
• racist abuse;
• assault;
• feeling unsafe in their local community;
• family stress;
• lack of access to leisure, cultural and recreational facilities;
• lack of access to safe places to play and socialise;
• under achievement;
• low self esteem.

Not tolerating racism or discrimination and providing support if you do suffer from bullying or abuse.

Valuing diversity and promoting shared values; building communities based on trust, respect and a sense of belonging.

Celebrating your culture, achievements and contribution; providing information, advice, guidance and support to you and your families so that any barriers to participation and achievement are removed.

Supporting schools and families to raise your achievement, through bilingual assistance, projects, training and advice.

31.7 in every 1,000 young women aged 15-17 in Hampshire became pregnant in 2007. Conception rates for districts are shown in diagram 4, below.  

Diagram 4: Under 18 conceptions by district

• poverty;
• poor and overcrowded housing;
• unemployment;
• lack of access to basic necessities;
• low aspiration and low self esteem;
• low attainment and lack of qualifications;
• lack of access to leisure, cultural and recreational facilities;
• no education or training beyond teenage years;
• lack of access to childcare;
• difficulty with parenting skills;
• social isolation from peers.

Providing you with the information, skills and knowledge that will enable you to make informed choices about relationships, parenthood and sexual health.

Offering affordable and accessible childcare so that you can continue in education, training or employment.

Securing easy access to local support, dedicated midwifery and health visitors.

Between 30% and 50% of young people in secondary schools who are attracted to people of the same sex, will have directly experienced homophobic bullying, compared with 10–20% of young people who have experienced general bullying (Briefing 3: Young lesbian, gay and bisexual people, Department of Health, 2007).

• emotional and mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, phobias and self harm;
• eating disorders;
• prejudice, homophobic abuse, bullying and assault;
• feeling unsafe in their local community;
• family stress;
• lack of access to leisure, cultural and recreational facilities;
• lack of access to safe places to socialise;
• under achievement;
• low self-esteem;
• lack of friendships;
• substance and alcohol abuse.

Not tolerating homophobic abuse, bullying or discrimination and providing support if you do suffer from bullying or abuse.

Providing free confidential advice through help lines, web based information and drop-ins - and trained staff available to support you when needed.

Identifying opportunities for you to meet with other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in safety.

3,273 young people were brought into the Youth Justice System in 2007/08 (Wessex Youth Offending Team).

38% of the young people who received a reprimand or final warning/a first tier or community penalty, or were released from custody in 2005 went on to re-offend (Wessex Youth Offending Team).

6% of the young people who were convicted in court during 2006/07 were sentenced to custody (Wessex Youth Offending Team).

• violence and abuse;

• exclusion;

• emotional and mental health problems including anxiety, depression, phobia, self-harm and attempted suicide;

• domestic violence;

• substance and alcohol abuse;

• family breakdown;

• lack of friendships;

• post traumatic stress;

• under achievement and lack of qualifications;

• fewer opportunities for education, training or employment post-16;

• lack of access to leisure, cultural and recreational facilities.

Intervening early to provide support for you and your family.

Providing opportunities to engage in positive activities and involving you in the design and planning of those activities.

Improving the education, training and support available to you before, during and after custody.