“Inclusion” refers to the sense of ease and belonging which people have when they truly feel that they are a part of something.

Within Services for Children and Young People, we aim to help all children achieve the five “Every Child Matters” outcomes of staying safe, being healthy, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being. We think children and young people will be included in this vision if:

• They feel that their views, contributions and attributes are respected and valued;
• They have good parenting and role models, secure communities and local access to guidance and seamless support;
• They enjoy school, attend happily and achieve at least in line with expectation;
• They move into adulthood with a sense of achievement and optimism about their capacity to contribute as adults;
• They have a sense of fairness and equality, and act in ways which will promote these.

In these pages you will find the Children and Young People's Partnership's strategy for inclusion, together with information which will help agencies which are involved in ensuring that children and young people feel included.

The workgroups within Inclusive Services provide individual help and support for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, as well as support and training to other agencies, parents and institutions such as schools, to remove the barriers to inclusion.