Executive Summary

Executive Summary

ABSENTEEISM

Cause:

·        Merthyr Tydfil has the highest level of incapacity benefit claimants in Wales. 26% of all working-age adults have a long-standing illness.

·        Pupils have a perception of school as being dull, unenjoyable and not important for their later lives. They also feel that there is little parental support and encouragement to attend school.

These facts combine to show that Merthyr has a generational problem with absenteeism in the workplace. It’s industrial past has created a workforce untrained in skills needed for the modern workplace, with high concentrations of illness and injuries. Large numbers of adults are now almost unemployable and completely reliant on benefits. This behaviour is passed down to the next generation and manifests itself in their school attendance. Many pupils are disillusioned by school and sceptical of the benefits that a full education can provide.

Evidence:

·        Merthyr Tydfil has the second highest level of absenteeism in Wales, at both primary and secondary school level.

Effect:

·        Poor attendance affects a child’s social wellbeing and their ability to make and keep friendships.

·        Children who are not at school are most vulnerable and more likely to be drawn into anti-social and criminal behaviour.

·        Poor attainment. There is a substantial evidence to show that pupils with poor attendance achieve more poorly compared to other pupils. This evidence applies at both primary and secondary school level.

·        Merthyr Tydfil has the 6^th lowest level of post-16 participation in higher and further education and / or training

SEXUAL HEALTH, TEENAGE PREGNANCIES AND LOW BIRTH WIEGHT BABIES

Cause:

·        Lower rates of condom use in Wales than 24 other European countries.

·        Alcohol and drug use reduces young people’s inhibitions.

·        Issues concerning availability of, and access to services highlighted in Joan Roberts’s Sexual Health report.

·        Generational impact of young people growing up in benefit-reliant households, which are more prevalent in Merthyr Tydfil than any other area in Wales. This inhibits ambition and creates an environment where this situation is seen as ‘normal’.

·        Advances in medical care and treatment have made premature and low birth weight babies more viable. This has impacted on the number of babies surviving to birth.

·        Half of all teenage mothers smoke during pregnancy. Mothers from poor socio-economic backgrounds are four times more likely to smoke during pregnancy than mothers from higher groups.

Evidence:

·        Wales has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe. Conception rates for girls aged 16 and under are the third highest in Wales. Rates for under 18s are the fourth highest in Wales.

·        Rates of STIs are increasing in Wales. 70% are attributed to people under the age of 25.

·        The rates of low birth weight babies in Merthyr Tydfil are the highest in Wales, 23% higher than the all Wales average.

Effect:

·        Teenage mothers are more likely to lack education and training opportunities and suffer poor socio-economic conditions.

·        Chlamydial infection can lead to infertility later in life.

·        High levels of terminations. 45% of all pregnancies for unders 18s in Wales are terminated. This equates to 35 terminations in Merthyr Tydfil in 2004 for girls under the age of 18.

·        Improvements in medical care and treatment have prolonged the life expectancy of many low birth weight babies. This condition is associated with delayed physical and intellectual development in early childhood.

·        Conditions such as cerebral palsy, sight and hearing defects and diabetes are all more common in low birth weight babies. The increase in survival rates for low birth weight babies and their high rate in Merthyr Tydfil will see an increase in these conditions in our young people.

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Cause:

·        Children born to teenage mothers and those with a low birth weight are most likely to suffer disabilities. Merthyr Tydfil has high rates in both categories.

·        Improvements in health care have led to improved survival rates for children with chronic illness and / or disability

Evidence:

·        The mapping of services exercise highlights a worrying lack of suitable premises being use by services in this area.

·        The most recent major survey of disability in the UK suggests that 3% of children under the age of 15 have a significant disability. This would suggest a cohort of 625 significantly disabled children and young people in Merthyr Tydfil.

·        The lack of hard evidence is a cause for concern and should be considered as part of a priority. Circumstantial evidence all points towards an increased pressure on all services, but an evidence base needs to be established.

Effect:

·        Impact on specialist services caused by an increase in numbers.

·        The cost of raising a disabled child three times higher than for a non-disabled background. This impacts heavily on a socio-economically deprived population.

·        Disabled children often need specialist educational requirements that require specialist staff to provide.

LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN

Cause:

·        High levels of domestic violence and alcohol and drug abuse by parents.

·        High levels of abuse and neglect towards children in the family home.

·        High levels of socio-economic poverty, which place great strain on families and households.

Evidence:

·        The highest level of looked after children in Wales according to 2005/06 LGDU figures, 25% higher than the second highest authority area.

·        Although the general trend for numbers joining the looked after children system each year is downwards, the total number of system in the system is still rising.

Effect:

·        Separation from birth parents and local community whilst in care.

·        Cost of looked after children service is high.