Delivering for Children and Young People

As Liberal Democrats we believe in equality of opportunity for all, and that must start with our children. Children can gain that equality of opportunity only if they are free from poverty, have access to good education, and feel safe and secure. We will strive, in partnership with other agencies and voluntary organisations, to make sure every child in B&NES benefits from these basic conditions for success. We believe all children should be able to enjoy their childhood with a range of experiences that encourage them to be who they are, and to imagine who they could be.

Over the next four years we will:

  • Hold the education system accountable and work towards high-quality education for all pupils.

  • Bridge attainment gaps through innovative ways to engage and support parents and children.

  • Review catchment areas, home-to-school transport rules and safe routes to schools to ensure appropriateness for all students.

  • Work with the Schools Commissioner to encourage effective working between Academy Trusts and the Local Authority to support disadvantaged children.

  • Support every school to achieve at least a "Good OFSTED" rating.

  • Collaborate with universities and colleges to expand the scope of education opportunities and also on mitigating the impact their growth has on our communities.

  • Develop an "i-Thrive" model to meet the child's needs rather than making them fit into our systems, given the overlap between social care, healthcare, and education.

  • Reduce dependence on external providers for SEND, SEMH, and Children in Care facilities by creating new local capital-funded provision. This will result in less disruption for the child, easier access for families, closer monitoring by the Council, and lower costs.

  • Make a priority commitment to increasing our current “Good” OFSTED rating for social care to “Outstanding” within the next administration.

  • Develop a plan based upon early intervention including greater investment into our “Connecting Families” provision, built on taking positive steps to stop children coming into care.

  • Deliver a sector challenge from our area to the new Integrated Care Board (ICB) to meet the needs of children in our area.

  • Work with Bath College and other partners to provide an advanced Vocational Skills centre at the Culverhay site

  • Set up a Family Liaison, virtual facility and Early Years Support function.

  • Research and fund a new SEND provision in the area.

  • Examine the option of stopping vastly expensive out-of-area placements by local investment.

  • Commit to improvements in systems and process to reduce spend on agency staff.

  • Achieve “Outstanding” OFSTED ratings for our services.

  • Strongly support schools that wish to keep the local authority funding model.

  • Commit to investing in early years support along a “Surestart” model.