Pillar 2: The places and communities we live in

Children's education and skills development are important for their own wellbeing and for that of Cheshire West as a whole. Good quality early childhood education has lasting positive effects on health and other outcomes and these outcomes are particularly strong for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Learning ensures that children develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities, and attributes that they need for mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing now and in the future. Educational qualifications affect a person's ability to get a job, which in turn influences income, housing, and other material resources.

In Cheshire West, we know that children and young people facing disadvantage do less well in school than their peers. They are at risk of becoming adults living in poverty unless they catch up with their peers. Those who grow up in poverty are less likely to be able to afford educational activities and resources; have parents who are more stressed and less well placed to help them with schoolwork; are more likely to leave school early and without qualifications; and are less likely to have positive aspirations for their future.

Support and services available should include early help and prevention services; special educational needs and disability services; support for children and families; and support for school's settings and post-16 providers.

It’s not just children's education that matters - an approach to learning that covers adulthood is also needed. Improving skill levels and qualifications can have a positive economic impact - it has been estimated that the lifetime returns on investment of level 1 courses for those aged 19-24 is £21.60 for every £1 invested.

Education in adulthood can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of participants and often, their families and the wider community. Adult learning can improve confidence and social connectedness, health behaviour, skills, and employment opportunities, each of which affects health and wellbeing. Non-formal and informal learning for older people can decrease social isolation, whereas family learning for parents and children can help to tackle the intergenerational transfer of disadvantage.

Many adults face specific barriers to participating, such as time and financial constraints. This must be addressed if learning is to benefit all. To increase the likelihood of positive outcomes, many individuals will need support to manage the transition to adult learning.

We will:

• Enhance our school readiness programmes with a particular focus on closing the gap between our most vulnerable children and their peers.
• Reduce the educational attainment gap between disadvantaged and vulnerable children and their peers.
• Help children and young people to build their aspirations.
• Support students from all backgrounds into further and higher education, employment, and training.
• Support our schools and colleges to be inclusive and support our SEND population to engage in more mainstream education.
• Take a lifelong approach to learning.
• Make sure that access to adult learning is available to all but targeted and tailored to those with most need.
• Design programmes that recognise 'softer' outcomes such as improvements in self-confidence, as well as academic and vocational progression.
• Work with employers to support workplace learning.
• Encourage employers to increase the number of apprenticeships they offer and ensure that these are reaching those most in need.
• Be role model employers ourselves.
• Better communicate available youth services and reduce inequalities in access to these youth services, including transport costs.
• Assess provision of career guidance and aspiration approaches in primary, secondary schools and FE colleges at each place.
• Work with the University of Chester to ensure the academic courses they provide align with the needs of the borough
• Local Enterprise Partnership and Chamber of Commerce to work with businesses to support links with schools for training, recruitment and offering mentorships and for provision of youth services.
• Work with young people to hear their views about what is needed in Cheshire West.