Latest news with #MargaretIsherwood
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Wakefield councillors keen to grow Dolly Parton book scheme
A reading scheme supported by Dolly Parton could be expanded to help support more children across Imagination Library, which gives a book a month to children under five, has helped more than 2,500 children since it launched in rolled out across the city it was later scaled back to just five areas, but now councillors have backed plans to expand it Isherwood, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "I love the Dolly Parton Library. It does a wonderful job and I fully support this. If we can expand it, it is going to be absolutely wonderful." The scheme is currently only available in Knottingley, Pontefract, Castleford Central, Ferry Fryston and Airedale. However, councillors recently voted to back plans to expand to Featherstone, Hemsworth, Normanton, South Elmsall and South Kirkby, Wakefield East, Wakefield North, Wakefield comes after 337 children who have been part of the scheme "graduated" at events held in Airedale and Pontefract Williamson, independent councillor for Hemsworth, said the cost of expanding the scheme would be £425,000 over the next five years, describing it as a "minuscule" investment."Expanding this scheme is quite personal to me," he said in the meeting. "I'm not afraid to say that I have grown up in poverty and experienced hardship."There wasn't much money growing up, but the one thing I had was a mum and a grandma who gave me books, whether that was from the library, second-hand books, or the occasional new one."Having that early access to books and being able to read enabled me to get good grades at GCSE, go on to study at university and end up with a law degree and a half-decent job."He said data showed learning development rates had improved within other areas where councils had invested in the to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Wakefield district falls behind regional and national averages when it comes to skills and educational data shows only 28.8% of people aged 16 to 64 in Wakefield hold qualifications at Level 4 or above. This figure is substantially below the national average of 46.7% and the Yorkshire and Humber regional average of 41.2%.Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Children's homes earn 'outstanding' ratings
Three Wakefield Council-run children's homes have been awarded "outstanding" ratings following Ofsted inspections. In one of the homes, inspectors found "children have wonderful experiences" and "are making and sustaining fantastic progress in all areas of their development". Ofsted inspectors also judged four other homes run by the council as "good", with one especially praised for its leadership and management. Margaret Isherwood, the council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We are delighted our children's homes have once again been recognised for their outstanding work." Ofsted inspectors highlighted that children at one of the homes had "trusted, secure and lasting relationships" with staff, and that leadership "creates an environment where children and staff flourish". One child told inspectors that staff had given them "a voice". According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the leadership and management was commended for its embedded use of research-informed practice, trauma-informed care and a strong ethos of reflection and learning. Wakefield Council said the results reaffirmed its "commitment to providing safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive". Isherwood said: "These results reflect not only the excellent care currently being delivered, but also the continued commitment of our staff to maintaining high standards over time. "Our homes are places where children feel safe, valued and supported – and where they can thrive. "This consistency is testament to the dedication of our teams and their ongoing focus on the individual needs of every child." Wakefield Council plans to open additional children's homes in the coming year to meet rising demand and offer more children high-quality, local care. The authority has also shared its expertise with over 20 other local authorities, supporting the improvement and development of residential care provision nationally. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Wakefield Council
BBC News
18-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wakefield Council children's homes earn 'outstanding' ratings
Three Wakefield Council-run children's homes have been awarded "outstanding" ratings following Ofsted one of the homes, inspectors found "children have wonderful experiences" and "are making and sustaining fantastic progress in all areas of their development".Ofsted inspectors also judged four other homes run by the council as "good", with one especially praised for its leadership and Isherwood, the council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We are delighted our children's homes have once again been recognised for their outstanding work." Ofsted inspectors highlighted that children at one of the homes had "trusted, secure and lasting relationships" with staff, and that leadership "creates an environment where children and staff flourish".One child told inspectors that staff had given them "a voice". 'High standards' According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the leadership and management was commended for its embedded use of research-informed practice, trauma-informed care and a strong ethos of reflection and Council said the results reaffirmed its "commitment to providing safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive".Isherwood said: "These results reflect not only the excellent care currently being delivered, but also the continued commitment of our staff to maintaining high standards over time."Our homes are places where children feel safe, valued and supported – and where they can thrive."This consistency is testament to the dedication of our teams and their ongoing focus on the individual needs of every child."Wakefield Council plans to open additional children's homes in the coming year to meet rising demand and offer more children high-quality, local authority has also shared its expertise with over 20 other local authorities, supporting the improvement and development of residential care provision nationally. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
