Islington Labour councillors have welcomed the recommendations of a flagship report exploring how to make Islington the best possible place in the UK for children and young people to grow up.
Last year, Islington Council launched the pioneering Fair Futures Commission to listen to children and young people in Islington to hear how they can reach their full potential and have the best possible start in life.
Today (19th February), the Commission, which includes Islington Labour councillors, published its findings in the ‘A Future for Us’ report, following discussions with local children and young people about living and growing up in Islington.
Islington is home to 45,500 children and young people and is the 24th most deprived area in England. Islington has a fantastic cultural and sporting offer and excellent local schools, which are sixth best in the country for disadvantaged pupils achieving five good GCSes. However, many children and young people experience overcrowding, unemployment and barriers to opportunity.
Cllr Joe Caluori, Executive Member for Young People and Families, Islington Council, says: “Islington Labour is committed to ensuring all children and young people, whatever their circumstances, have the best possible start in life. Our borough has much to offer, but it is unacceptable that not all our children and young people currently have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“By acting on the recommendations of the Fair Futures Commission, we can create a fairer Islington where every child and young person can thrive and succeed.”
The Commission’s recommendations include:
- Every child should have access to and complete at least 100 hours of work experience by age 16
- ‘No ball games’ signs and policies should be reviewed with young people
- Children and young people should be engaged in consultations on all major building works from the beginning
- Every contact between children and young people should be used as an opportunity to learn about their welfare and safety
- Children and young people living and studying in Islington should be fully informed about the support they can expect from the Council
The Fair Futures Commission has been chaired by Jermain Jackman, a former Islington Arts and Media School student who won the TV talent show The Voice in 2014. Other commissioners include Islington Labour councillors, youth councillors, parents, academics and Council partners, helping the Commission to draw on a wide range of knowledge and experiences.
The Council and its partners will now consider the Fair Future Commission’s recommendations in detail, so it can turn them into action and make Islington a fairer place for all.
To read the report and learn more about the Fair Futures Commission, visit fairfutures.org.
Pictured (l-r) – Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council; Jermain Jackman, Chair of the Fair Futures Commission; Cllr Joe Caluori, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families