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Communities that Care

Research has shown that there are factors that increase the risk that children will struggle at school, become involved in anti-social behaviour or take drugs. There are other factors that help protect the child from these problems.

For example, poor housing may increase the risk that a child will struggle at school.  However, strong affectionate relationships between the child and their parents may help to protect them from this risk.

Communities that Care (CtC) is based on the simple idea that prevention is better than cure.  In order to prevent a problem, CtC says that you first find out what factors increase the chance it will occur and then tackle these.

How does it work in practice?

CtC first uses a questionnaire to ask children and young people about their lives. This identifies the specific risk and protective factors that affect them within their family, school and wider community.  It then recommends ways that have been proven to work to reduce these risks. 

The advantages of the CtC approaches are as follows:

  • It is an approach based on solid evidence.
  • It does not look at each risk on its own but shows how to tackle key ones for each community.
  • The solutions it recommends are based on programmes that have been proven to work in communities.

Communities that Care Survey 2008-2009

In the autumn term of 2008, 11 to 16 year olds from across Coventry had the chance to have their say about what matters in their lives.

 14,000 took part in the Communities that Care (CTC) survey through their school.  This asked them questions about their experience of school, their family, friendships and what they did in their spare time. 

 This information is being used as evidence to help professionals across the city plan services, help tackle social issues and improve life for young people and families in Coventry.

Topic Report - Drinking alcohol, smoking and drug taking amongst Coventry young people

We have produced our first topic report, which focuses on alcohol consumption, smoking and drug taking amongst Coventry young people.  It explores the differences by gender, age, ethnicity and where young people live, for drinking, smoking and drug taking behaviour.  It's based on some of the findings from the Communities that Care survey.

For more information please contact James Lawrence, the Development Officer for CtC on telephone: 024 7683 4168