Archived decisions

Contact: Malcolm Rittman, County Youth Officer, tel: 01962 846370

1 Summary

1.1 This report summarises recent developments in the County Youth Service and updates members on current issues including: County Action Plan 2001/2; Youth Service Summer Activities; Hampshire County Youth Council; Best Value and Connexions.

2 County Action Plan 2001-2002

2.1 The County Action Plan was approved by the Youth Service Sub-committee in March 2001. The plan establishes the framework and targets for Youth Service work and provides the basis for action plans for Districts, development workers and projects.

2.2 Good progress is being made with all the targets. A summary of progress is attached to this report - Appendix 1

3 Youth Service Summer Activities

3.1 The successful bid from the Education Department to the Department of Education and Skills for funding a summer activities programme resulted in a range of activities being offered to young people in Havant, Test Valley, Winchester and Eastleigh. The purpose of this initiative is to enable the participants to engage positively in education, training or work at the end of the summer break. The projects involved the Youth Service, Outdoor Education and Southern Careers.

3.2 The activities themselves are used as tools for personal development. In addition to raising their self esteem and confidence, young people develop teamwork skills.

3.3 The youth workers involved in the summer activity programmes ensured that alongside the adventure activities at Outward Bound Centres and elsewhere, there was ample opportunity for purposeful discussions with careers advisers, as well as support for personal issues.

4 Hampshire County Youth Council

4.1 The Hampshire County Youth Council (HCYC) continues to meet regularly and new faces are seen at each meeting. The officers and working groups meet between meetings to progress items of business. At their most recent meeting the County Youth Council received an interesting presentation about how to develop their involvement with the new Connexions Service.

4.2 The HCYC will be working with Youth Service staff on planning and delivering a Golden Jubilee project in 2002. Plans are beginning to be made for an event that will celebrate the last 5 decades and be recorded on video tape for others to enjoy.

4.3 Members of the HCYC will also be involved in the election events for the UK Youth Parliament to be held early in 2002.

5 Best Value

5.1 As part of Hampshire County Council's response to the requirements of The Local Government Act 1999, the County Youth Officer will be convening a Best Value Review Panel - Services For Young People.

5.2 The review of work with young people has moved from being a focused review of the Youth Service and elements of Social Services to a more wide ranging review of services offered to young people by the County Council. The final report will also take account of services delivered by district councils and other agencies, Connexions and the voluntary sector. The Review Team envisages a coherent strategy for services to young people resulting from the review.

5.3 The papers presented to the Best Value Review Panel on 9 October are attached. Appendix 2

6 Connexions

6.1 The development of the partnership organisation is progressing and a chief executive is expected to be appointed by mid November. Currently the Careers Service Manager from Southern Careers has been seconded as the implementation manager to progress the business planning.

6.2 Following a `Health Check' with the Government Office in the South East (GOSE) it is likely the full implementation of the strategy will be from September 2002. There have been indications from Government Officers that pilot funding will continue until implementation takes place.

6.3 Pilot activities are continuing and offering valuable learning for the future. In particular, personal advisers need to be full time, they require a high level of support and other agencies involved need to be committed.

6.4 An emerging model is developing for implementing the Connexions strategy and a successful consultation meeting with a range of agencies took place on 16 November 01.

Recommendations

1 That the current developments in the Youth Service be welcomed and noted.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

Nil