Growing up
In the past fifty years, changes in society have brought unprecedented opportunities to our young people, but also significant new challenges. Arguably, the demands and expectations placed on children and young people have never been greater and it is estimated that 1 in 10 in the UK experience mental health problems.[1] Going forward, climate, technological and social change are set to transform the world today’s young people will inherit.
Herefordshire is home to around 33,800 young people aged under 18. Generally, Herefordshire is a good place to grow up: children here are happy and generally get a good education. However, this does not necessarily translate into social mobility.
Our children and young people are less likely to experience crime and gang culture than their counterparts in some urban areas, but growing up in one of England’s most rural counties presents issues of its own, including around access to services. In addition, there is significant and persistent inequality and while, overall, child poverty is lower in Herefordshire than nationally, it is much higher in some areas of the county than others.
In addition, despite relatively abundant active leisure opportunities, children in Herefordshire are no less likely to be overweight or obese than their peers in England as a whole. The oral health of children in Herefordshire is also consistently poor compared to the rest of England.
The challenge for Herefordshire Council and partner organisations is to maximise the potential of our children and young people and give them all the best start in life.
[1] Mental health, NHS England.
Related topics
- Alcohol, smoking and drugs
- Autism
- Carers
- Census 2021
- Coronavirus
- Education and skills deprivation
- Domestic violence and abuse
- Healthy weight and healthy eating
- Income deprivation affecting children
- Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
- Learning disabilities
- Mental health
- Physical activity
- Population
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)
Useful links
- Department for Education: Local Authority Interactive Tool
- Herefordshire Council: Children and Young People's Partnership
- Herefordshire Council: Schools catchment map
- All about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation: UK child poverty rates by local authority
- LG Inform: See how your area compares
- Office for Health Improvement & Disparities: Child Health Profiles
Children's Needs Assessments
Explore our needs assessments which provide comprehensive, in-depth, analysis of topics related to children and young people living in Herefordshire.
Children and Young People's Quality of Life Survey 2021
During the summer term 2021, a Children and Young People’s Quality of Life Survey was carried out by the School Health Education Unit (SHEU) on behalf of the council.
Around 4,900 children and young people aged 8 to 18 years from across the county took part in the survey. This is the first time since 2009 that such a piece of primary research involving children and young people in Herefordshire has been conducted.
This survey has provided comprehensive information on a range of topics, including lifestyles and behaviour, physical and emotional health and wellbeing, feelings about belonging to school and home community, feeling safe, and things children and young people are worried about.