THOUSANDS of Isle of Wight children will be asked their views on life in what will be the largest study of its kind ever undertaken on the Island.
The study, organised by The Children’s Society and the Isle of Wight Council, aims to include all children aged between eight and 16 and will be used to shape policies concerning youngsters.
The results will be used by the council, schools and communities to improve children’s lives on the Island.
Children will be asked about their school life, health, local facilities and if they feel safe at home, school and in public.
A council spokesman said The Children’s Society carried out the UK’s first national inquiry into childhood in 2006.
Jim Davies, good childhood advisor with The Children’s Society, said: "This partnership with the Isle of Wight will create opportunities in one authority to respond to the needs of children and young people in a coordinated way that will produce measurable improvements in children's well-being."
Councillor Dawn Cousins, the council’s cabinet member for children’s services and education, and the chair of the Isle of Wight Children’s Strategic Partnership Board, said: "This Island-wide survey will give us the most complete picture yet of how our children feel about living and learning on the Island."
The survey is likely to be conducted in the autumn in schools, with online sessions, and focus groups and community consultations to discuss the results will take place in November and December, a spokesman said.