Midland Council Considers £120k Kid Lifestyle Survey Investment

Dudley Council might spend £120,000 on a youth survey. It will check kids’ lifestyles and actions. Mayada Abuaffan approved this, she’s the public health director, and the survey includes health and wellbeing questions.

The council will seek bids from providers. The contract could last six years and in 2024, 6,326 students took it from 54 schools.

The council wants more kids involved and plan to promote the survey widely. The survey started in 2000 and it’s for students in years five through 13.

They do the survey every two years and each time, it costs £30,000. The budget will rise by £10,000 per survey, and the council wants a four-year deal, but may extend it for two more years.

The same provider has done it for 20 years and their service was satisfactory, says the council. Opening it up allows improvements, ensures value for money, and rules require it too. The data shapes public health plans.

The survey supports Child Friendly Dudley, helping use kids’ voices in planning. It helps with issues like child obesity, financial and oral health.

The data shaped the sexual health plan, showing consent and relationship problems. It also showed gaps in contraception knowledge, which influenced service planning for next year.