Our Child Friendly Sandwell

Sandwell Child Friendly logo - red version

A borough where children and young people help shape the future

Smiling child blowing bubbles at a festival

Child Friendly Sandwell is our long-term commitment to making Sandwell a place where children and young people are listened to, respected, valued and involved in decisions that affect their lives. It is a borough-wide way of working that puts children’s voices at the heart of services, spaces and communities. Being child friendly is everyone’s responsibility, bringing together schools, community organisations, health services, businesses, families and local communities to help every child feel safe, included, respected and able to thrive.

What we have done 

We have engaged with more than 2,650 children and young people and worked with over 80 organisations and partners. Children have helped identify priorities including safety, belonging and inclusion, shaping a shared vision for the future of Sandwell. We have also supported schools, promoted children’s rights and created new opportunities for participation and play.

Priorities

  • Feeling safe and secure in your neighbourhood
  • Having a sense of family and belonging
  • Making sure everyone is treated fairly and feels included

We’ve also chosen three big themes to guide how the Council and its partners work:

  • Culture: Making sure children’s voices are part of everything we do
  • Communication: Sharing information in ways that are clear and easy to understand
  • Teamwork and leadership: Working together and leading with purpose

How we are making a difference 

Child Friendly Sandwell is about more than listening. It's about taking action.

We are working to:

  • Give children and young people a greater say in decisions that affect their lives.
  • Improve services, activities and places based on what children tell us.
  • Promote children's rights and participation across Sandwell.
  • Create more opportunities for play, wellbeing and community involvement.
  • Make information easier for children and young people to understand.
  • Build stronger partnerships that improve outcomes for children and families. 

By embedding child-friendly thinking into everyday decision-making, we are helping to create lasting change across the borough and ensuring children are recognised as active citizens who help shape Sandwell's future.

Child Friendly programmes and opportunities 

Play Sufficiency Assessment

Our Play Sufficiency Assessment helps us understand the quality and accessibility of play opportunities across Sandwell. We engaged more than 2,230 children, parents, professionals and partners to understand how children experience play across the borough. Children highlighted the importance of freedom, friendship, safety and access to quality play opportunities. These views are helping shape future investment and improvements so all children have opportunities to play, explore and thrive. 

Find out more about the Play Sufficiency Assessment

OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning)

OPAL is transforming playtimes in Sandwell schools, creating more opportunities for children to be active, creative, social and independent through high-quality outdoor play experiences. Three schools - Wednesbury Oak Academy, Timbertree Academy in Cradley Heath and Crocketts Community Primary in Smethwick have received the OPAL award - accreditation from the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme, and are actively improving children's wellbeing, confidence and enjoyment of school life. 

Watch the video to see how playtime is being transformed at Wednesbury Oak Academy.

Find out more about OPAL

Free play opportunities - with Sandwell Go Play

We are committed to providing free and accessible play opportunities for children and families across Sandwell. Through community events, neighbourhood activities and play initiatives, we help children enjoy the benefits of play, develop new skills, build friendships and stay active close to home through our Go Play opportunities all year round. Sessions are designed forr children and their grown-ups to stay and play togther.

Find out more about free play opportunities through Go Play Sandwell

Rights Respecting Schools

Schools across Sandwell are embedding children's rights into everyday learning and school life, helping children understand their rights, develop confidence and become active participants in their communities. Sandwell schools continue to achieve recognition for their commitment to children's rights and wellbeing. 

Find out more about Rights Respecting Schools Award

Sandwell Summer Festival and National Play Day

In August we celebrated National Play Day through the Sandwell Summer Festival, providing free activities, play opportunities and family events across the borough. These events encourage children to be active, connect with others and enjoy outdoor spaces in their communities.

Festival of Free Play

The Festival of Free Play celebrated children's right to play and brought together families, Library Service schools and communities to enjoy creative, child-led play experiences. Held in the Summer half term, the event showcasesd the importance of play in supporting children's happiness, health and development.

Find out more about the Festival of Free Play

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food Programme provides eligible children and young people with access to free holiday activities, healthy meals and enriching experiences during school holidays. The programme supports children's wellbeing, helps reduce holiday isolation and gives families access to safe, enjoyable activities throughout the year.

Find out more about the HAF Programme

Get involved

Want to help shape a Child Friendly Sandwell?

We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re a child, young person, parent, carer, teacher, community member or business — your voice matters.

Together, we can make Sandwell a place where every child thrives.