Child friendly Town
Becoming a child friendly town, where our children grow up happy, healthy and secure, with a voice that matters and the opportunities they need to thrive.
Becoming a child-friendly town
Giving children and young people in Luton the best start in life is an important priority to achieve our vision for Luton 2040. Children born and growing up in Luton today will be reaching adulthood by 2040 and will become the next generation of local leaders, workers, educators, carers and parents that make up our community. Providing our young people with the skills, opportunities and good quality of life they need to reach their full potential is essential if they are to play their part in building a better town where everyone can thrive beyond 2040. Luton benefits from having one of the youngest populations in the country, with 36% of residents below the age of 25 and 22% below the age of 15.
Having a young population is an important asset for our town that can drive growth and investment and enables us to shape a brighter future around the skills and creativity of our young people. Despite this, there are also challenges associated with having a young population, including additional costs of education and children’s services and barriers to employment linked to high childcare costs and a lack of affordable housing that meets the needs of growing families.
Our children and young people also face significant inequalities in comparison to other places. Around 45% of children in Luton are growing up in relative poverty compared to 27% nationally. Luton’s children also have lower rates of educational attainment and some poorer health outcomes, including higher rates of childhood obesity in year 6 children and higher rates of infant mortality. Addressing these challenges is essential if we are to give our children and young people the best start in life and enable them to reach their full potential.
Target outcomes
- Our children and young people will have access to good quality services that keep them safe and secure.
- Every child has an excellent education that raises aspiration and achievement and reduces educational Inequalities.
- More opportunities for our children and young people to develop, play and socialise.
- Greater and more equal opportunities for children and young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).
- All of our children and young people will have a meaningful voice that is heard and that matters.
Major developments we will see by 2028
- Luton will be recognised as a child friendly town
- Luton will have a good or outstanding Ofsted rating for children’s services
- Opening of a new centre of excellence for children with disabilities
- More special school places and special educational provision to enable children with SEND to reach their full potential
- An active young people’s council and young people’s citizen’s panels
Priorities
Empowered community
Supporting a strong and empowered community, built on fairness, local pride and a powerful voice for all our residents.
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Net zero town
Tackling the climate emergency and becoming a net zero town with sustainable growth and a healthier environment.
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Improving wellbeing
Improving population wellbeing and tackling health inequalities to enable everyone to have a good quality of life and reach their full potential.
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Inclusive economy
Building an inclusive economy that delivers investment to support the growth of businesses, jobs and incomes.
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