Schools

Who is the 21st Century Child?

Any young person in school or college in Sandwell is a 21^st Century Child

What does the 21st Century Child face?

We have consulted with a number of students in different schools throughout Sandwell and they told us that they face a number of different challenges both in and outside of school on a daily basis.

Alcohol/ drugs/ smoking
Anti social behaviour
Body Image
Bullying
Crime
Eating disorders
Gangs
Online Safety
Peer Pressure
Relationships
Social Media
Sexual Health
Youth Violence

How does the 21st Century Child Programme help?

Schools are encouraged to identify a range of students that would like to have their voices heard both. Schools are supported by the 21^st Century Child lead, providing guidance and best practice, making links with local services that can offer support.

Students are given the opportunity to learn about a range of different topics and more, with support from the 21^st CC lead and local services, how to talk about them and where to find support and help. Students decide on the topics and develop and deliver interactive workshops and events to your students and parents/carers with the support of guest speakers and school staff.

The 21^st Century Child event allow for parents/carers to listen to their children; speak with school and find out about different local services that can support both their child and themselves.

Resources

Cannabis trailer – mock up cannabis trailer providing the opportunity to discuss the harms of cannabis, drug culture, gang culture, exploitation and how to access and ask for support.
Go-Kart and beer goggles – students get to experience the dangers of ‘drink/drug’ driving in a controlled and safe environment; discussing how to keep themselves safe and where to access support.
School based surveys – In consultation with students and services a ‘Perception vs Reality’ survey has been developed which can either be used as a year-based survey or as a whole school. Young people will face different issues and have different opinions depending on their age, their friendship groups and where they live and go to school. The survey aims to help identify if there is a difference between young people’s perception and their reality. Results are collated and fed back to schools, highlighting any concerns raised in these and providing the opinions of their peers which young people can use when developing and delivering their 21^st Century Child programmes.