well-being and deprivation represent different sides of the same coin. From a child Child rights perspective well-being can be defined as the realisation of children’s rights and the fulfilment of the opportunity for every child to be all she or he can be. The degree to which this is achieved can be measured in terms of positive child outcomes, whereas negative outcomes and deprivation point to the denial of children’s rights." Bradshaw et al.
Young people's social and emotional well-being is important in its own right but also because it affects their physical health and can determine how well they will do at school. Good social, emotional and psychological health helps protect young people against emotional and behavioural problems, violence and crime, teenage pregnancy and the misuse of drugs and alcohol (‘Systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to promote mental well-being in children in primary education’ Adi et al. 2007)
If young people don't have positive outcomes of well being then some young people who have low levels of happiness are much less likely to enjoy being at home with their family or carer, feel safe when with their friends, like the way they look and feel positive about their future. Children unhappy in this way are also more likely to be victimised, have eating disorders or be depressed.
Securing the health and wider wellbeing of looked after children and young people is of fundamental importance. Good health makes an active and enjoyable life possible, as well as underpinning achievement in school and in due course in the work place.