Quality of housing presents other problems. A high proportion of families live in social
housing; many live in overcrowded housing while 38% of households in Ward A lack
central heating.
There are high levels of teenage pregnancy - with one ward recording over twice the
national average.
It should also be stressed that the area also enjoys a number of strengths that have been
highlighted within local community plans. These include the rich ethnic and cultural
diversity, the youthful profile of the population, and the location itself, surrounded as it is
by economic opportunity and upcoming development initiatives. There is now significant
inward investment as well as regeneration projects. In addition to this, the geographical
environment is made up of large green spaces, including green belt land.
Levels of educational attainment are below the national average and consultation
exercises have shown concern amongst residents and agencies alike about a range of
‘quality of life’ indicators. The local Youth Conference organized by Liam Byrne MP in
2005 reported high levels of anxiety among young people about crime and vandalism,
drug dealing, gang culture, pollution and litter. The same report identifies a lack of
affordable, local facilities for young people, and the resultant inability for them to engage
in constructive activities, which hampers their self-development.
Another survey into young people’s attitudes and experiences reported that 37% felt that
the area was unsafe, citing anti-social behaviour and drugs as being the biggest menaces
(Cooke, 2005). The high levels of concern identified by Cooke about anti-social
behaviour suggest a degree of disengagement amongst some sections of the community,
and the breakdown of trust, both within communities and between communities and the
agencies by which they are served. This might well hinder the potential regeneration of
communities. Nevertheless, Cooke also reported that 84% of respondents said that they
were likely to, or were definitely intending to, go on to Higher Education.
Schools
Local secondary schools have been through challenging times and several of them have
been in special measures. By 2009 all were out of special measures. However, local and
council wisdom suggests that some schools just outside the area boundary are perceived
as being of a much higher standard than the local Birmingham secondary schools. Even
in the few cases where this is not actually true, the decline in the reputation of
Birmingham schools in this area has proved very difficult to overcome and the
confidence of families is taking a long time to restore. The effect on the morale of staff
and students attached to a school deemed to be ‘failing’ can be devastating. Such a
situation leads to high staff turnover and loss of confidence by students and their families.
These facts often result in even lower achievement, poor behaviour and low attendance.
Even with new and effective leadership, recruitment of new staff, and improvements to
buildings and equipment, the process of rebuilding is very slow.
A number of features about local schools should be noted. According to OFSTED
reports, all schools in the area have very high proportions of students eligible for free
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