Archived decisions
Transforming Youth Work Development Fund Programme Plan
Introduction
The Hampshire County Youth Service plan identifies a number of areas of work where initiatives will have a substantial effect on services offered to young people and the ability of voluntary and local authority youth services to work cooperatively with Connexions. The key areas are:
· Developing and supporting initiatives that encourage young people to become engaged in local democratic processes and citizenship
· Involving staff and volunteers in Connexions training
· Developing the range and scope of Information and Advice resources and provision
· Enhancing co-operation between the voluntary and local authority youth service
The Hampshire County Youth Service (HCYS) believes it has a proven track record in working with Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services, (HCVYS) voluntary youth organisations and other agencies recognising changes can be made to develop this further. The production of a Youth Service Plan will provide an opportunity to improve and enhance the relationship.
In committing to a major development in the area of young people's involvement the plan seeks to achieve maximum impact and avoid spreading the resources so thinly that it is ineffective. Secondary benefits accrued from the initiative will impact upon some of the other priorities notably youth crime, unauthorised absences and retention levels in schools. Other aspects of County Youth Service work focuses on those issues, as all the work undertaken encourages young people to avoid involvement in crime, and to gain the maximum benefit they can from education.
Training has a major role in developing quality youth work. The Hampshire County Youth Service intends to supplement and build upon the current opportunities to achieve maximum impact upon the range and quality of services offered to young people.
HCYS strives to place itself at the heart of Connexions in Hampshire by developing the existing Advice and Information Services and enabling them to improve accessibility and provide a range of personal development opportunities for young people. The ultimate aim is to create a focussed service, which co-ordinates a network of opportunities provided by a range of agencies and organisations all working to the same standards, protocols and approach.
It should be recognised that the Service in Hampshire has a relatively low funding base and has, as a consequence, less to build upon and therefore further to travel
Malcolm Rittman
County Youth Officer
25 March 2002
Actions:
1. To develop closer working relationships and encourage the sharing of opportunities between voluntary youth organisations and The Hampshire County Youth Service
Rationale:
Whilst recognising that to produce a "comprehensive Youth Service Plan" which reflects the work undertaken within the voluntary and local authority youth services is a requirement, current practices for working together are:
· The Hampshire County Youth Service allocates £195k per annum to the voluntary youth sector through The Hampshire County Youth Service grants budget
· The opportunities offered through The Hampshire County Youth Service training programme are available to staff / volunteers of voluntary organisations
· Staff attend a variety of meetings with voluntary groups and organisations offering support and guidance
· The development of a joint code of practice for child protection - "Safe from Harm"
· Many of The Hampshire County Youth Service projects are based on partnerships, most with voluntary organisations
Developing the plan will offer opportunities for closer cooperation and increased partnership working. It will lead to improved services for young people and policy development. Greater co-ordination will result in increased impact, within the wider working arena; this in turn could lead to a broader range of opportunities.
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1.1 To work in partnership with voluntary organisations within Hampshire to produce a comprehensive "Youth Service Plan" that reflects the work undertaken within the Voluntary and The Hampshire County Youth Services |
Opportunities will be offered to representatives of the voluntary youth service to meet with representatives of the local authority youth service in order to develop the plan A comprehensive "Youth Service Plan" will be produced Shared working protocols will be developed and adopted The voluntary youth service will be involved in a review of how the Hampshire County Youth Service budget is spent. |
Closer working relationships between will be developed between the voluntary and local authority services Common understandings will be established and practice shared and improved as a result of learning |
_ Representatives invited to meetings - April 2002 _ Working protocols developed - Summer 2002 _ Task defined - Spring 2002 _ Plan developed and agreed - Autumn 2002 |
Costs to support the process to be met from within existing Youth Service budgets The Hampshire County Youth Service grant aids voluntary work undertaken and both County and district level with 13-19 year olds. Annual Revenue grant are applied for in January for April Project Development grants can be applied for at any time The Hampshire County Youth Service is reviewing how this money is spent. |
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1.2 To work in partnership with HCVYS to part fund a Development Youth Worker post whose role will be to support and strengthen provision for 13-19 year olds as well as addressing the needs of young people at risk of exclusion from education and /or their local community |
A jointly funded Development Youth Worker post will be appointed The range and quality of voluntary provision with 13-19 year olds will be supported and developed Support for transition work with young people aged 13-19 involved with voluntary youth organisations will be strengthened Networks between HCVYS, voluntary youth organisations and Hampshire County Youth Service and Connexions will be strengthened Cooperative development of policy, procedures and practice |
Closer working relationships will be developed between the voluntary and local authority services and Connexions Common understandings will be established and practice shared and improved as a result of learning from each service Improved range and quality of services for young people Young people in transition will receive support from across voluntary and local authority youth services |
_ Develop concept with HCVYS - April 2002 _ Agree partnership plan - Spring 2002 _ Set timescales - Spring 2002 |
Strand A and B _ £15k |
2. To underpin youth service and Connexions initiatives to encourage young people to become engaged in local democratic processes and influence how resources are allocated and used
Rationale:
Districts are responsible for developing, delivering and supporting opportunities to encourage young people's involvement. Experience has proved that they are unable to deliver that aspect of work at the level being sought currently and expectations are increasing.
By employing three youth workers to work to the Development Youth Worker (Participation) and to work with eight young people three small teams could be formed which could tie in with the groupings of the Connexions Co-ordinators.
Making it one large team would result in it being too remote and placing people in districts would not deliver the coordination and the drive centrally. They would also lose the support they would gain from working closely with peers who are in very similar situations.
The three teams would work and grow together while at the same time having very close links into districts through links with young people and staff of The Hampshire County Youth Service, HCVYS and links with the voluntary youth service organisations and agencies. Each of the eleven people could act as link person to a district strengthening the link.
Job Descriptions will reflect commitment to work with the local authority youth service and the voluntary youth service organisations at a countywide and in conjunction with district teams at district level.
The philosophy of the new teams is that the young people employed will have sufficient insight and energy to support and supplement the work undertaken within districts and drive development centrally.
The support of qualified staff to guide the young people and ensure their wellbeing is essential
These teams would also result in the voluntary youth service being better placed to respond to other agencies and organisations looking to it for a lead in relating to and testing out materials with young people
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2.1 To employ three teams of young people, each supported by a youth worker, whose remit will be to underpin young people's involvement and ensure they are involved and listened to throughout the County and districts |
Three extra full time youth workers will be employed within The Hampshire County Youth Service to manage, coordinate and deliver the work of the new teams Eight young people will be employed on fixed term contracts to: Support initiatives to involve young people Ensure young people have opportunities to voice their opinions Encourage agencies and organisations to listen to young people |
Hampshire County Youth Service staff, designated within districts to support the involvement of young people, will be supported by this team The team will drive the cause of young peoples involvement across the voluntary and local authority youth services and beyond The team will advocate on behalf of young people The team will ensure young people within districts are offered the opportunity to get involved in Youth Councils, consultative events and other opportunities The team will support the involvement of young people in matters related to the development of Connexions _ Design of services _ Staff recruitment _ Web site production and updating _ Peer review _ Consultation and promotional events |
_ Young people consulted over model - April 2002 _ Three youth workers recruited - Advertised May 2002 _ Eight young people recruited - Advertised May 2002 _ Districts identify link workers - April 2002 _ Induction - Upon taking up employment _ Team work plan developed that relates to district needs - Preparation prior to employment / Team involved once employed _ Work being delivered - Partially during induction / fully after induction _ Work being reviewed and evaluated- Review on an on going basis as part of delivery and management . Evaluated 6 monthly |
Strand A 3 x F/t JNC II (17,250-22,875) _ £70k 8 x F/t JNC I (11,367-11,841) _ £110k _ The Hampshire County Youth Service to provide accommodation, management and travel costs _ Additional funding to be sought from other interested agencies and organisations as well as from other government initiatives. All aimed at broadening the scope of the work undertaken |
3. To encourage staff development and encourage youth service engagement in the Connexions Diploma and Understanding Connexions training courses
Rationale:
Staff must undertake supplementary Connexions training in order to be able to play the full role within Connexions that is appropriate and required. Funding can be sought through South Central Connexions Partnership, SCCP, for backfill costs of staff from the voluntary youth services who undertake Connexions Diploma training while the local authority Service can not normally access funding to underpin services while staff take that training. This budget can be applied to support local authority staff training.
The first section details the support to be given to districts to underpin that extra training..
The second section reflects the need to support staff from voluntary organisations undertaking Connexions Diploma training.
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3.1 To provide resources to backfill Connexions training: A minimum of two staff from each district while they undertake the Connexions Diploma Course 3.2 Senior Youth workers The Hampshire County Youth Service Management Team (YSMT) and key staff with voluntary youth organisations will undertake the Understanding Connexions course |
A minimum of 22 Personal Advisers will be available to support and develop Connexions related work from within the local authority youth service 11 Senior Youth Workers will manage the link between the district teams and the Connexions service with greater clarity and effectiveness YSMT will manage the relationship between the Hampshire County Youth Service and Connexions Service more effectively |
Staff will be able to undertake training without reducing the service available to young people. Work undertaken under a Connexions remit will encourage young people at risk of exclusion or of involvement with crime, drugs or anti social behaviour to consider the consequences of those actions and hopefully adopt alternative behaviour patterns The relationship between The Hampshire County Youth Service, the voluntary youth services and Connexions Service will be clearer |
_ Relevant staff within districts identified - April 2002 _ Training Agency informed - prior to April 2002 _ Course dates set - as set by trainers and SCCP _ Staff attending - as soon as dates are set _ Staff complete courses - 10 months after starting course |
Strands A and B 11 Districts x 2 people Backfill @ 22 x 31.5 days _ £60k |
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3.3 To encourage staff involved with voluntary organisations to undertake Connexions Diploma Course where appropriate. 3.4 To access backfill funding to underpin their involvement 3.5 To support the individual staff and organisations to deliver the requirements of the Course |
Personal Advisers will be available to support and develop Connexions related work from within the voluntary organisations |
Staff from voluntary youth service organisations will be able to undertake training without reducing the service available to young people. Work undertaken under a Connexions remit will encourage young people at risk of exclusion or of involvement with crime, drugs or anti social behaviour to consider the consequences of those actions and hopefully adopt alternative behaviour patterns The relationship between voluntary youth services, The Hampshire County Youth Service and Connexions Service will be clearer and enhanced |
_ The opportunity will be discussed and promoted through organisations and individuals - April - June 2002 _ Individuals will be identified _ Training Agency informed - ASAP - July 2002 _ Course dates set - set by trainers and SCCP _ Staff attending - as soon as appropriate date identified _ Staff complete courses - 10 months after starting course |
Backfill money will be sought from the South Central Connexion Partnership |
4. To systematically deliver Introducing Connexions Courses across Hampshire
Rationale:
The Service recognises the fact that Connexions has been introduced in Pilot format to three districts and there has been minimal input into the other eight. There is a need to increase the spread of people, within the voluntary and local authority services and communities they serve, who are familiar with Connexions and to improve networks.
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4.1 To offer open opportunities within each district for staff and volunteers of the Voluntary and Local Authority Youth Services to take part in an Introduction to Connexions Course |
Introductions to Connexions Courses will be offered and delivered within each district Courses will be open to Voluntary and Hampshire County Youth Service staff and volunteers as well as the staff of other appropriate agencies |
Closer working relationships between the Hampshire County Youth Service and voluntary organisations and agencies will be achieved: 1. Through the experience of planning and delivery this process 2. as a result of the greater knowledge and understanding of services at a local level 3. by a greater understanding of the role that Connexions will be playing locally 4. increased understanding of how local services inter relate and can support and deliver Connexions and services to and for young people |
_ Local arrangements negotiated with voluntary organisations - April 2002 _ Trainers trained - As soon as materials become available process set up _ Course dates set and published - As soon as dates are set for staff to receive training on how to deliver the course _ Courses promoted - As soon as dates are set _ Courses delivered to agreed dates _ Evaluation undertaken in conjunction with voluntary organisations within courses and following completion of courses |
Strand B 20 people x 2 days x £15 = £600 1 course per district = 11 _ 11 x £600 = £6.600 |
5. To support the development of opportunities for young people to access services
Rationale:
Currently, within The Hampshire County Youth Service, matters relating to IT are generally considered in relation to administration. The focus and drive is based with Admin Support Services and that expertise must continue to deliver the broad support and to provide the focus for administrative systems. Presently there is no coordination of matters relating to the place of IT within the curriculum. Any work undertaken occurs within districts and depends upon the interests and experience of district staff, young people and any other expertise that can be tapped into. The Hampshire County Youth Service does not have policies and protocols, there appears to be no consistency and the overall level of service available to young people is poor. The Development Youth Worker (IT) post will provide that coordination for the Service and will drive the development of quality, spread and range of provision.
The Development Youth Worker will liaise with and support HCVYS with a view to relating this area of work to the voluntary youth service
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5.1 To employ a Development Youth Worker (IT) whose remit will be to support the development of the curriculum involving the use of IT equipment in order to broaden the range of services available within The Hampshire County Youth Service and with the voluntary youth service in liaison with HCVYS |
A Development Youth Worker (IT) will be employed |
The voluntary and local authority youth services will have clear understanding about equipment, software and expertise available within district teams, centrally and in voluntary organisations The Service will: _ recognise the potential _ identify and manage risks _ develop strategies, policies and protocols _ Broaden the use of IT opportunities through the Service curriculum Service minimum requirements will be established Equipment and software purchases will be to achieve minimum levels initially Staff involvement in training will be structured |
_ The Development Youth Worker will be recruited _ Induction _ Audit _ Service requirements will be established _ Development plans |
Strand B _ £30,000k _ The Hampshire County Youth Service to provide accommodation, management and travel costs _ Additional funding to be sought from other interested agencies and organisations as well as from other government initiatives. All aimed at broadening the scope of the work undertaken |
6. To help modernise youth service resources and provision
Rationale:
The Hampshire County Youth Service supports Advice, Information and Counselling services, generally in partnership with a voluntary organisation, in most districts and these services are likely to play a key role in the development of the access strand of Connexions in Hampshire. In order to ensure a consistent level and range of service across the County there is a need for work to be undertaken.
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6.1 To provide resources to enable Information and Advice Services in each district to: _ Ensure they have the appropriate IT equipment to manage Information and Data and make it available to young people and the community _ Refurbish the project delivery point in Connexions Livery / house style _ Replace signage on the projects to reflect the partners involved _ Produce materials in line with Connexions house style |
Each district will have a project promoting Information and Advice work Each Information and Advice project will have a computer with sufficient capacity to effectively manage information and data for staff and to produce / reproduce materials for the project Each Information and Advice project will have at least one workstation available for use by young people visiting the project Each project will be presented using Connexions livery / house style Each project will display logos to reflect the partners involved Each project will have materials presented in Connexions house style Where appropriate the extra resources will be used to attract funding from other appropriate sources |
The role that The Hampshire County Youth Service is playing within Connexions will be more apparent within each district Services available to young people within each district will be increased The environments within which projects work will be improved The agencies and projects involved in each delivery point will be more apparent There will be a more even spread of service across districts and services will be co-ordinated Increased levels of resources will be reflected in, better quality being achieved, a wider range of provision being available and increased numbers being served |
_ Audit existing equipment in Information and Advice delivery points - April 2002 _ Establish requirements and develop an agreement with IT support services - Starting process in April 2002 _ Purchase and install supplementary equipment - As soon as requirements are fully understood and agreed _ House style to be developed for SCCP related to CSNU guidelines - Starting in April 2002 _ Audit projects - April 2002 _ Implement refurbishment programme within districts - As soon as requirements are established _ Audit existing signage - April 2002 _ House style to be developed for SCCP related to CSNU guidelines - Starting in April 2002 _ Develop and deliver programme of re-signage - As soon as requirements are established _ SCCP house style to be developed for materials related to CSNU guidelines - Starting April 2002 _ Consensus to be formed over range of materials that should be produced - Started in April 2002 _ Districts to produce new leaflets within style framework - As soon as style and requirements are established |
Strand B 11 x IT packages 11 x small refurbishment packages 11 x sign packages 11 x materials / leaflet packages _ Total cost £97,359 |
7. To support the delivery of The Hampshire County Youth Service training programme
Rationale:
This strand of funding has been used to underpin the Hampshire County Youth Service training programme and will continue to be used in that way.
The programme benefits young people, the community and voluntary organisations and agencies by working to improve the number of staff and the range of knowledge skills and experience that they have at their disposal.
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7.1 Deliver Youth Service training programme 7.2 Offer training to Young Peoples Involvement Team 7.3 Support the training of Introducing Connexions trainers 7.4 Support the work of the Development Youth Worker (IT) |
A range of development and training opportunities will be offered to all youth service staff and voluntary sector youth workers Programme to include: Health & Safety; child protection; MIDAS; Training the trainers Mental Health issues International Youth Work Accreditation of learning Skills focussed training Young Worker Training Assessing performance Youth work project self- assessment Equalities Revised local qualification Workers in Charge NVQ lll |
Staff will be more aware of their responsibilities and will develop new skills and abilities to work with young people Improved level of qualified staff Training and development opportunities enhance to support progression of staff in the service |
Annual programme published April 2002 New certificate programme and NVQ lll in place and delivered from September 02 |
Strand C _ £40,773 |
Summary - Budget to be devolved per district 2002/3
Action |
Value £ |
Training backfill |
6,455 |
Computer packages ) |
|
Refurbishment ) |
|
Signs ) |
5,851 |
Materials / Leaflets ) |
|
Introducing Connexions |
600 |
TOTAL per district |
£12,906 |
TOTAL |
£141,959 |
Summary - Budget to be managed centrally 2002/03
Action: |
Value £ |
HCVYS - Development Youth Worker |
15,000 |
Young Peoples Involvement support Team |
180,000 |
Development Youth Worker (IT) |
30,000 |
Training |
40,773 |
TOTAL |
£265,773 |
TOTAL of both |
£407,732 |