Plan for Change in Sandwell: Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity
The Plan for Change’s commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity is about transforming the systems that shape children’s lives from the very beginning. In Sandwell, that transformation is underway, and with investments in our children’s future being recognised by independent organisations.
Ofsted “Good”: A Historic Achievement
In November 2025, Sandwell Children’s Services received a “Good” rating from Ofsted — the first time the service has ever achieved this rating, after more than a decade of being rated “inadequate.” The Ofsted inspection found genuine progress across services for children in need, children in care, and care leavers.
60% of the Budget on Children and Education
Sandwell Labour’s budget priorities make its values clear: approximately 60% of the total council budget — around £300 million — goes on children’s services and education. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) stands at £510 million, including £425 million for schools and £81 million for high needs provision.
Childcare Expansion: 352 + 190 New Places
Sandwell has created 352 new childcare places to meet the expanded entitlement — saving eligible families up to £7,500 per year — with a further 190 places in development to keep pace with growing demand.
Child Friendly Sandwell: A Borough-Wide Commitment
The Child Friendly Sandwell programme, developed in partnership with UNICEF, has engaged 2,650 children and over 80 organisations across the borough. Sandwell Youth Service reached 937 young people plus 91 with SEND in a single quarter of 2025/26, delivering youth clubs, a Youth Bus, and detached outreach work.
National Labour Plan For Opportunity and Why It Matters In Sandwell
– Free breakfast clubs – helping children in Oldbury, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Tipton, Wednesbury and Rowley Regis start the school day ready to learn
– Best Start Family Hubs – building on our local hubs so parents can get health visiting, parenting advice and early years support in one place
– Young Futures Hubs – to provide youth work, mentoring and activities so teenagers have trusted support in their community
– Expanded free school meals and rebuilding crumbling schools – improving nutrition and safety, with better classrooms for every child
– 6,500 new teachers and mental health support in every school – cutting workloads, raising attainment and making sure help is there when children need it
– A new National Youth Strategy – to give direction and funding so youth services grow rather than shrink
The Clear Choice On 7 May 2026
Labour in Sandwell is protecting libraries, supporting families and improving schools. The Conservatives shut libraries across the country and cut youth services, leaving communities worse off, which local and regional press have reported over many years. Reform would cut services and put our libraries, leisure and youth support at risk. Sandwell cannot afford to go backwards when our transformation is working and recognised by independent reviewers (Source: Local Government Association).
Back Sandwell Labour’s Plan For Change
Sandwell Labour is breaking down barriers to opportunity through open libraries, strong leisure, better schools, youth services and family hubs. With a Labour government delivering free breakfast clubs, family hubs, young futures hubs, expanded free school meals, rebuilding crumbling schools, 6,500 new teachers, mental health support in every school and a new National Youth Strategy, we will go further for every child in Oldbury, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Tipton, Wednesbury and Rowley Regis (Source: Labour Plan for Change).
On 7 May 2026 vote Labour to keep Sandwell moving forward.
Read More
– National Plan for Change: Breaking Down Barriers
– Sandwell Ofsted Good rating — November 2025
– Youth Work Week 2025 in Sandwell
– Plan for Change in Sandwell: NHS
– Plan for Change in Sandwell: Economic Stability