Archived decisions

Contact: Colin Smith, Youth Service Manager, tel: 01962 846250

1 Summary

1.1 This report sets out the proposed County Action Plan for the Youth Service for 2002-2003. It is based on the Strategic Development Plan for 2000 - 2003. The County Action Plan identifies the major developments for the Service during 2002-2003 and highlights the priorities for Senior Youth Workers, Youth Officers, Development Youth Workers and the Youth Service Management Team.

2 Background

2.1 The Strategic Development Plan, `Challenging and Supporting Young People', established the priorities for developing the work of the Youth Service from April 2000 to March 2003. The Strategic Plan outlined the national context for Youth Service work and set targets for the service to achieve. This framework enables the Youth Service to address many of the key aims and to make a significant contribution to the County Council's Corporate Strategy.

2.2 Since the Youth Service Strategic Plan was approved, greater emphasis has been placed on the social inclusion of young people, through national initiatives and policy developments in Hampshire. In addition, plans for the Youth Service to support the implementation of the Connexions service are highlighted. The new County Action Plan reflects these priorities.

2.3 All Youth Service projects have prepared Project Action Plans during recent months in the context of the Strategic Development Plan. Each of the Youth Service districts has prepared a District Action Plan which addresses local needs and aims to ensure that Youth Service work achieves the targets set in the Strategic Plan. District Action Plans will be available in April 2002 following approval by the County Youth Officer.

3 The County Action Plan

3.1 The proposed County Action Plan for 2002-2003 is attached as an appendix.

3.2 The Action Plan sets targets for work with young people, in order to

· Increase their personal and social skills

· Promote democracy and decision making

· Promote social inclusion

· Develop new opportunities and challenging experiences

· Promote healthy lifestyles

The Plan includes targets for work with young people in the county, focusing on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, outdoor education, rural development, drugs education, curriculum development, participation, and the increasing social inclusion agenda.

3.3 The Plan places Youth Service work in the national and county context and commits the Youth Service to a key role in the Connexions Service. The Youth Service will continue to work in partnership with other agencies and organisations and in cooperation with other education services and departments of the County Council.

4. Recommendations

To advise the Executive member for Education:

1 That the Youth Service County Action Plan for 2002-2003 be approved

2 That the County Youth Officer be asked to provide an interim evaluation report in November 2002.

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.

Youth Service Strategic Development Plan 2000-2003