AN ACTION plan aimed at improving the "life opportunities" of Surrey's Gypsy, Roma and traveller children and young people has been approved by councillors.
School attendance, bullying, domestic abuse and an understanding of health concerns are among the top issues which are to be tackled by the plan approved by Surrey County Council (SCC).
Councillors hope the scheme will help address inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and traveller children in the county's education, health and social sectors.
It follows a report carried out by SCC which found children from traveller communities have "some of the poorest life chances compared with the county's young population generally".
Speaking during the meeting, Councillor Mary Angell said it was "a once in a lifetime" chance to improve the lives of Surrey's Gypsy, Roma and traveller children.
"We have a detailed report of what it's like in these communities, what disadvantages they face and what needs to be done," she added.
"Education opportunities for Gypsy, Roma and traveller children are significantly poorer than for other children.
"There are also serious and worrying physical and mental health issues, where the life expectancy for adults is ten years lower than the non-traveller population and the infant mortality rate is 20 times higher.
"We really should be in a position where what we can offer to these children is the same as all children in Surrey. We must be more ambitious for them."
The council hopes to implement all the strategies by 2017, but the report admits this may be unrealistic, "given the complexity and long-standing nature of many of the issues involved".
The report adds: "[The strategy] needs to be part of an ongoing approach, with progress reviewed regularly.
"The impact of some of our strategic actions may not be fully visible for a number of years."