Canley place based profile

Understanding Coventry's economic, cultural, educational, and early childhood prospects can help us better understand the effects these factors have on the wellbeing of the local populations. A person's lifelong health, happiness, and productivity are affected by preventable health inequalities that can arise during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early years.

Best Start in Life

“Giving every child the best start in life is crucial for securing health and reducing health inequalities across the life course. The foundations for virtually every aspect of human development – physical, intellectual and emotional – are laid in early childhood. What happens during these early years, starting in the womb, has life-long effects on many aspects of health and well-being”. - Sir Michael Marmot

What is the local picture? How does it compare?

Avoidable differences in health emerge by the time a child reaches the age of five, In Canley, a lower percentage of children (53.2%) achieve a good level of development by age five compared to the average for Coventry (61.1%) and national average (65.2%).  A child’s level of development is assessed at the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) on early learning goals in the prime areas of learning: personal, social, and emotional development; physical development; and communication and language and the early learning goals in the specific areas of mathematics and literacy.  

The percentage of all babies born at low weight in Canley is significantly higher than the Coventry average. Low birthweight is often associated with premature birth, Coventry has relatively high numbers of babies that are born prematurely, leading to a higher number of babies born at low weight. Between 2018-2022, the number of babies born at low birth weight (under 2500g) to mothers in Canley amounted to 11.2% of all live births. This is significantly higher than the Coventry average of 8.6% and the national average of 6.8% (in 2021). Canley has one of the highest rates in the city.

Antenatal appointments are scheduled at specific intervals throughout pregnancy to monitor the health and well-being of both mother and child. The proportion of first appointments that take place within 12 weeks is similar to the city average overall. In 2022-23, 80.3% of expectant mothers attended a first antenatal appointment within 12 weeks in Canley, the same as the city average. Although, this has been on a declining trend since 2020-2021 when rates were 84.5%.

In 2022-23 a much lower-than-average proportion of children from Canley aged 2 to 2 ½ received a timely health visitor review (by the time the child reaches 2 ½). 59% in this area compared to 75% across Coventry overall.  All children and families should receive a review by a health visitor when the child reaches around 2 to 2½ years. This allows for an integrated review of their health and development.

Smoking during pregnancy can have serious and harmful effects on both mother and baby, there are significantly higher rates of maternal smoking at delivery in this area. The percentage of new mothers smoking at the time of delivery in the four years between 2019/20 and 2022/23 was 24.8% in Canley compared to 10.5% across Coventry overall. The Canley rates of maternal smoking are significantly higher than average, the highest of all neighbourhoods in the city. 

Breastfeeding prevalence is significantly lower than the Coventry average amongst mothers from Canley. In 2022-23, 48.4% of new mothers-initiated breastfeeding within 48 hours of birth, significantly lower rate than the Coventry average (72.2%), amongst the lowest rate of all Coventry neighbourhoods.  Lower than average rates persist beyond the first days of birth; when visited for their 6-8 weeks check, a relatively low proportion of infants were still totally or partially breastfeeding, 36% of infants in Canley in 2023 compared to 58% across Coventry overall, again one of the lowest rates of Coventry’s neighbourhoods.

In Canley, uptake of funded early years childcare for all children aged two, three and four is significantly higher compared to the Coventry average. Two-year-olds whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits are entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week. Additionally, all three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours free education.

In 2023, the 2-year-old uptake in Canley was significantly higher, with 94% of those eligible receiving the free early education, compared to 75% Coventry overall and 72% nationally. Similarly, the 3- & 4-year-old take up was 97% which is above the Coventry average of 88% and national average at 92%.

The percentage of children under the age of 16 who live in relative poverty in Canley is higher than the city average. 30.7% of all children living in Canley were in ‘relative poverty’ in 2021/22, an estimated 349 children; this is higher than 26.7% for Coventry overall and 19.9% for England. This has been on an increasing trend in Canley and in other areas of Coventry, since 2017/18.  By improving access to support and services whilst addressing the root causes of relative poverty can work to provide better opportunities for children to thrive.

What else is happening? What else can be done?  

The Family Hub (Mosaic) is as an asset in the community; however it is located in Tile Hill which makes it more difficult for residents in Canley to Visit. The Family Hub helps co-ordinate early intervention and support. By bringing together different professionals such as, Health visitors, social workers, midwives, police, and others the hub can offer holistic and tailored support to families who face challenges.

Education and skills

Why is this important?

What is the local picture? How does it compare?

In May 2023, a relatively low proportion of children who live in Canley attended a good or outstanding school. 56.4% of children attended a school that has been inspected and rated as “good” or “outstanding”, 18.9% attended a school with the rating “requires improvement” or “inadequate” and 24.7% attended a school that hadn’t been recently inspected. This means that 74.9% of those whose school had been inspected attend a good or outstanding school, lower than the city average of 83.5%.

The number of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is notably higher in Canley (24.1%) than the city average (18.2%). In 2023, 24.1% of children living in Canley were SEN pupils, one of the very highest rates of all areas across Coventry.  SEN can be divided into two types, those with a Statement or an Education, Health & Care (EHC) plan; and those with SEN support. In total 262 children were identified as SEN pupils; 3.4% were in receipt of an EHC plan, the same as the city average, and 20.7% were receiving SEN support, this is much higher compared to the city average of 14.9%.

Education attainment performance at the end of year 6 (key stage 2) in Canley is notably lower than the Coventry average. In 2022, 37% of 10–11-year-old pupils living in Canley at the end of year 6 met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined, compared to 56% of Coventry as a whole and 59% for England.

By key stage 4, the end of secondary school, the attainment rates for pupils living in Canley are notably worse than the Coventry average. Based on attainment 8 scores, which are an average score used to measure an individual student's progress across their 8 best performing subjects taken at GCSE level, the average attainment 8 score for pupils in Canley in 2022 was 37.5, compared to 46.2 in Coventry and 48.9 in England overall.

School attendance rates are slightly lower than average amongst pupils from Canley. In 2021-22, amongst primary school children living in Canley, the total attendance rate was 91.6% (the number of ‘sessions’ attended as a % of all possible sessions in the year) compared to 93.1% for all Coventry primary school pupils. The attendance rate for secondary school pupils from Canley was 89.3% (Coventry average 91.4%) and for special school pupils it was 81.4% (Coventry 86.9%).

Free school meals eligibility in Coventry continues to increase, and a relatively high number of pupils from Canley are eligible. In January 2023, 44.8% of pupils living in Canley were eligible for free school meals, compared to 24.8% across Coventry. This is amongst the highest rates of all neighbourhoods in the city.

Qualifications levels amongst Canley residents are slightly lower than the city average. A lack of qualifications may make it more difficult for someone to find more fulfilling work in the city or reduce their chances of getting positions based in Coventry as the city's jobs become more competitive and demand higher skilled workers. 19.5% of residents aged 16+ in Canley who do not have any qualifications, this is slightly higher than Coventry (19.4%) and England (18.1%). 24.1% of Canley’s population aged 16+ are qualified to level 4 or above, which means they have a foundation degree or above, lower than the city and national average.

What else is happening? What else can be done?

Libraries and community centres provide people with opportunities to improve their skills and education. Employment advisers are available to discuss finding employment and interview techniques. The library is also an asset with conversation cafes and opportunities to learn to speak English. The library also supports children through programmes such as Bookstart. Through Bookstart, children of preschool age receive a free information pack containing a variety of activities, guidance for parents and a book. This is in the hopes that good literacy habits will be formed at a much younger age. Rhyme times are also an opportunity for the formation of good literacy habits and encourage the development of language and social skills amongst babies and toddlers.

Adult education offers opportunities across the city for adults to engage and learn. The Adult Education Service in Coventry offers a choice of courses in a wide range of subjects. Each year thousands of people take the opportunity to learn a new skill, gain a qualification, find out more about something they are interested in, or simply make new friends.

Youth provision in Canley has been limited, however there is a youth club at Canley Community centre. Canley community centre is very active in the area and hosts a youth club for children and young people to meet new friends and provides a safe space for young people to enjoy.

Community groups are working together to provide better opportunities and outcomes for children. Having a healthy balanced meal is vital for children going to school and concentrating, there is lots of food-based provision for children throughout the holidays through initiatives such as Holiday Activities and Food programmes (HAF) as well as Magic Breakfasts. HAF provides free activities, experiences and food for eligible children and young people in the Easter, Summer, and Christmas school holidays, whilst Magic Breakfasts are healthy school breakfasts to children at risk of going hungry. HAF also has information available to support families particularly to help with cost of living and food help for families.

Economy

Why is this important?

A protective factor for health is having meaningful employment. Reducing avoidable health disparities will involve tackling the unequal distribution of money, wealth, and power by improving opportunities and skills.

What is the local picture? How does it compare?

Canley has higher levels of multiple deprivation than most other areas of Coventry. The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 measures the extent to which people in each neighbourhood (LSOA) in England experiences ‘multiple deprivation’ across the factors of employment, income, education, health, crime, housing and services and living environment; it is the headline measure of deprivation at a local level.

Canley was made up of two ‘LSOAs’ or neighbourhoods that are amongst the most deprived 20% of LSOAs in England; out of a total of 195 LSOAs that make up Coventry, 50 are amongst the most deprived, both of Canley’s LSOAs are in this group.

The Canley neighbourhood to the west of the area, named ‘Canley - Charter Avenue & Robert Mountford Way’ has the higher levels of multiple deprivation, being amongst the most deprived 10% in England and amongst the most deprived 20 neighbourhoods in Coventry; this area is illustrated on the map below in the darkest red colour. This area has a higher population than the other neighbourhood, ‘Canley - Torrington Prior Deram Walk’.  This means that over half (60%) of the population live in neighbourhoods (LSOAs) that are amongst the most deprived 10% LSOAs in England, whereas across Coventry overall 15% of the population live in neighbourhoods with this level of deprivation. These pockets of deprivation limit people’s opportunities to succeed and transforming life chances requires addressing the social inequalities that are established right from the earliest years.

Map: Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 for all Coventry neighbourhoods (LSOAs)

Source: English Indices of Deprivation 2019, Ministry of Housing, Communities of Local Government

This measure remains valid, although the data is now a little old as it is only refreshed every five years on average – the insights from this should be considered in conjunction with other more up to date statistics. We know that Canley has seen changes in recent years, it may be that when multiple deprivation is next measured, in 2025, these changes mean that there is improvement shown in this measure for Canley, being relatively less deprived.

The unemployment rates for working age residents in Canley is higher than the city average, however there is variation across neighbourhoods. A contribution to this will inevitably be the disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic and slow growth in the national economy in 2022, however rates in these areas have been consistently above average.

The unemployment rate according to the 2021 Census, for residents in Canley was 7.7%, 300 people in total unemployed, significantly higher than the Coventry average 5.9%. While the unemployment rate is higher than average in all parts of Canley, there is variation across the area. ‘Canley West’ has a much higher unemployment rate at 9.5%, whereas the rate in ‘Canley- Torrington Prior Deram Walk’ is 7.0% and compared to these areas ‘Canley East’ has a slightly lower unemployment rate at 6.0%.

The number of residents claiming unemployment benefits is higher than average in Canley. Another way to measure unemployment rates is by using the claimant count, this enables us to understand more recent changes than the 2021 Census. The claimant count increased significantly in early 2020, an indication of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on employment, and while it has fallen since 2020 it remains significantly higher than 2019 levels. Between August 2019 and August 2023, the proportion of the working aged residents (16-64) claiming unemployment benefits in Canley increased from 5.3% to 6.4% (250 people from Canley claiming in total), an overall rate higher than the city average of 5.6%.

Economic inactivity rates in Canley are significantly higher (47.3%), than the city average (29.9%), being home to a higher-than-average number of students. Economic inactivity refers to people who are neither in work nor unemployed, they are not actively seeking work for various reasons. This includes full-time students, those looking after a home, people living with long term illness, retired people and others.

Across the city the main group of inactive people are full-time students, this is also the case in Canley, many students live in this area. Economic inactivity rates are particularly high in Canley due to being a full-time student, 31.0% of working aged residents (aged 16-64) are economically inactive full-time students compared to the overall city average of 12.8%. The neighbourhood ‘Canley - Torrington Prior Deram Walk’ has amongst the highest rates out of all neighbourhoods across the city, making up 41.4% of all working aged people between 16-64.

6.3% of working aged Canley residents are inactive due to being ‘long-term sick or disabled’ compared to the city’s average of 4.9%. For other reasons, inactivity rates in Canley are lower than average.  5.8% of working aged residents are inactive ‘looking after home/family’ compared to the rest of city’s average of 6.0%. 3.5% of working aged residents of the area are ‘Inactive Other’ compared to the overall city average of 4.0%. 0.8% of working aged residents are inactive due to being retired, compared to city average at 2.3%.

Census data shows that economic inactivity rates increased, and employment rates decreased between 2011 and 2021, due to growing numbers of students living in Canley.

High unemployment rates for working age residents and high economic inactivity rates (students and others), means that the number of residents in employment in Canley is relatively low, much lower than the city average.  In the 2021 Census, 45.1% of working age residents aged 16-64 were in employment, low compared to 64.2% across the city overall. This is amongst the lowest employment rates out of all Coventry neighbourhoods.

The census measures employment and unemployment rates differently to other data sources and was produced during a unique time for the labour market due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, therefore the percentages used from the Census are lower than other official data and employment rate sources.

Household income is lower than the city average in Canley.  The ‘UK Paycheck’ dataset from CACI estimates average gross annual household income for 2023, for Canley the mean average is estimated at £32,252 compared to the Coventry average of £41,552 and the UK average of £47,621. A higher proportion of households in this area are on low incomes, 38% of households are on an annual income of less than £20,000, compared to 27% across Coventry overall and 22% across the UK.

Average household income is at its lowest in ‘Canley East’ at £26,551, amongst the lower averages across all Coventry neighbourhoods. ‘Canley- Torrington Prior Deram Walk’ neighbourhood has the highest average income amongst neighbourhoods in Canley at £37,518, but this is still lower than average for Coventry.

The cost-of-living crisis is having an impact, many people living in Canley are worried about money, as indicated by responses to the Coventry Household Survey 2022. 31% of respondents from Canley and Westwood Heath said that they had felt worried about money often or almost all the time, compared to the Coventry average of 40%.

As well as being a residential area, Canley is home to many businesses and there are many other businesses located nearby; there are many workplaces local to Canley residents.  There are an estimated 2,450 people employed at workplaces in the area, if you divide this by the resident population you get a ‘Job Density’ figure of 0.44; while this is slightly lower than the city overall at 0.47, it is higher than most other Coventry neighbourhoods. Torrington Avenue is home to many businesses, a major commercial centre for Coventry; some of this area is included in the boundary of Canley for this profile.

There is more employment located in the wider area, including at businesses in the rest of Torrington Avenue and its surrounds, as well as at Westwood Business Park which is another major commercial centre for Coventry. Across the whole of the ‘Canley & Westwood Heath’ area there an estimated 485 businesses, this is the highest number of all Coventry’s MSOAs outside the city centre.

Making sure that everyone can access and use digital resources and services is very important. Coventry has a great benefit of having fast internet in general, but this does not guarantee access and there are some people in Canley who may experience digital isolation. The Ofcom Connected Nations report 2022 gives us local data. There is a high level of ‘gigabit’ availability, with 95.5% of premises in Canley having service capable of 1,000 Megabits per second (Mbit/s) from fixed broadband, similar to Coventry overall at 96.9%. Almost all premises (96.2%) have services capable of ‘Superfast Broadband’ (30 Mbit/s or more), although the actual performance measured is lower, with 84.3% of premises having average measured speeds of connections 30 Mbit/s or faster.

However, having overall good connection levels does not mean that residents have the capacity to access fast broadband or can afford it. The Digital Exclusion Risk Index (DERI) tool, developed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, models the likelihood of digital exclusion for all small neighbourhoods (LSOAs) in England by creating an overall score based on number of metrics measuring the risk factors of demography, deprivation, and broadband availability. For each area they give a score between 0 and 10 where 0 represents a low risk of exclusion and 10 a high risk. This data shows that Canley neighbourhoods overall have higher than average risk scores compared to all other Coventry neighbourhoods. ‘Canley Torrington Prior Deram Walk’ has a score of 3.59 and ‘Canley Charter Avenue & Robert Mountford Way’ has a score of 3.87.

There is another measure of digital exclusion, the Internet User Classification 2018 data set from the Economic and Social Research Council, which used a number of statistics to classify each LSOA in Great Britain into 10 different types according to the internet use and engagement of its residents. All Canley neighbourhoods were classified as ‘Passive and Uncommitted users’, while this isn’t the type that is least engaged with the internet, is indicates that ‘limited or no interaction with the internet’ is typical of many residents.

What else is happening? What else can be done?
 

Increasing the economic prosperity of the city is important to those living Canley. The One Coventry Plan sets out the council’s ambition to ensure more residents of Coventry are fulfilling their ambitions, living healthier lives for longer and living in safer, connected, and sustainable communities.

One Coventry plan engagement found that residents in Canley felt that the most important priority was increasing the economic prosperity of the city and of the region, closely followed by improving outcomes and tackling inequalities within our communities and finally tackling the causes of climate change.