Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 In Spring 2001, the Government Department for Education and Skills (DFES) published "Transforming Youth Work", and stated that following consultation, further information would be published identifying the relationship between the Youth Service and Connexions. "Working Together - Connexions and the Statutory Youth Service" is the result. This paper summarises the key points and the issues arising for the Hampshire County Youth Service from the publication.

1.2 The paper supports the need for a robust Youth Service which is making a positive contribution to work with 13-19s. It also highlights the need for a clear relationship between the Youth Service and the Connexions partnership so there is a synergy and coherence between Youth Service plans for all 13-19 work, as well as noting the impact on existing provision.

2. Working together - Connexions and the Youth Service

2.1 A summary of the key points of the paper is outlined in Appendix 1

3. Response to the paper

3.1 Relationship of the Connexions Service and Youth Service

3.1.1 Hampshire County Youth Service works with a broad range of young people. It is building up expertise in working with those who are at risk or who are excluded from school and those who in other agencies find difficult work with. Youth Work projects are developed in a range of environments where trusted, informal relationships can be established and are culturally relevant to Young People. The aims of the service are well articulated, including developing social skills and involving young people. Where appropriate, Youth Workers will be able to support young people through the personal adviser role.

3.1 How will the Youth Service be part of Connexions

3.1.1 The Hampshire County Youth Service is engaged in a range of networks and has considerable expertise in joint and partnership working with a of agencies. In a recent analysis, more than half of all youth work projects involved one or more partner agencies. The service is well placed to build on this approach and expand this style of working.

3.1.2 The priority age group for Connexions coincides with that of Hampshire County Youth Service. The established planning process within the Youth Service will enable an integrated approach to be established with Connexions. As part of the Connexions pilot, the Youth Service has been involved in supporting the involvement of young people and this has been identified as a key target for next year. Initial planning, to support the Connexions pilot, has been initiated in districts. Youth Service managers have taken a lead role in the management of Connexions and will use this experience to establish effective working practices in the future. Some youth workers have taken part in personal adviser training and where appropriate more will be involved as implementation progresses.

3.1.3 Compared to other authorities, Hampshire County Youth Service has a relatively low resource base. This makes service flexibility more difficult to sustain, particularly in responding to new areas of work. These will have to be developed at the expense of existing initiatives, unless additional funding is provided by Connexions.

3.3 Underpinning principles

3.3.1 The Hampshire County Youth Service is well placed to work with and meet the criteria outlined:

1 The Youth Service prioritises 13-19 work with young people and currently about 10% of the available resources are used for work outside this age group

2 The revised OFSTED criteria are being used to underpin information and quality systems within the Youth Service

3 Planning systems are well established within the Youth Service and these can be adapted to ensure appropriate links are made with Connexions plans

4 The Youth Service has democracy and decision making as one of its priorities and has been supportive within the pilot to ensure young people are actively involved

5 Elected members are supporting the Youth Service and its role in Connexions through the newly formed panel

6 Some youth workers have been involved in personal adviser training and more will be involved as Connexions develops.

4. Transforming Youth Work Development Fund

4.1 The Minister for Life Long Learning announced a £20m Transforming Youth Work Development Fund, formerly Standards Fund, to support youth service involvement in Connexions. The Connexions National Unit is in discussion with the Local Government Association and the Association of Principal Youth Officers about the criteria for allocation. Allocations will be made on an LEA Youth Service basis with Government Offices approving the plans. However, it has been made clear that plans will need to be agreed with, and signed off by, the Connexions Partnerships.

5. Recommendations

(1) That the potential role and contribution the Hampshire County Youth Service can make to the Connexions Service be noted.

(2) That the Connexions Partnership and the Youth Service agree a process of joint planning, which identifies the role of the Youth Service in the support of 13-19s in the overall Connexions Strategy.

(3) That the potential impact of Connexions priorities may have on existing youth work be 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.

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