Cheshire West and Chester among the least challenging places in England to grow up

Cheshire West and Chester has been ranked among the least challenging places in England for children to grow up in a new national report.

The Children’s Commissioner’s The Childhood Lottery:

The Hardest Places to Grow Up in England examines 162 measures of children’s lives across the country. 
 
Cheshire West and Chester is ranked sixth nationally, with the report also highlighting the borough as a notable exception to the wider north/south divide identified through its analysis. 
 
The measures cover a wide range of factors affecting children and young people, including health, education, poverty, housing, crime and children’s social care. 
 
Councillor Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:

“This is really encouraging recognition of how children and young people are faring in Cheshire West and Chester. 
 
“There are many different factors behind these findings, and they reflect the contribution of schools, health services, council colleagues, voluntary and community organisations, families and many others who work hard to support children and young people across our borough. 
 
“We are proud of the progress being made, but we also know that experiences and outcomes are not the same for every child. We will continue working with our partners and communities to tackle inequalities and make sure every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive.” 
 
The Children’s Commissioner has stressed that the report is not a performance table of councils. Instead, it is intended to show differences in children’s needs and outcomes in different parts of England. 
 
The report also focuses on the future of devolution and calls for children’s needs and outcomes to have a stronger role in future regional decision making. 
 
You can find out more and read the full Childhood Lottery Report at:

 https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-childhood-lottery/