Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 This report proposes the adoption of a new protocol for guiding the working arrangements between the Youth Service and schools in Hampshire.

2. Background

2.1 In 1990 the County Council established new arrangements for the management and delivery of youth work in Hampshire. The then County Council Education Committee approved arrangements for the management of Youth Centres on school sites and placed responsibilities on schools and the Youth Service to develop working relationships together.

2.2 During subsequent years, schools and the Youth Service developed Service Level Agreements which established the practical and financial arrangements for Youth Service work within school sites.

2.3 In 2001, the Youth Service and schools identified a number of concerns about the operational and financial arrangements relating to youth centres within school sites. The Secondary Headteachers' Conference and the County Youth Service agreed to set up a Working Group with the following brief:

2.3.1 To Consider issues which are of importance to the Youth Service and schools in Hampshire, prepare appropriate ways forward, and make recommendations for action to the Youth Service Management Team, County Education Officer and Secondary Headteachers Conference.

2 The proposed protocol

3.1 The Working Group has carefully prepared a protocol for the Youth Service and schools to use as the basis for their working relationships. The Group is recommending the adoption of the protocol by the Hampshire County Youth Service, the Secondary Headteachers' Conference and the Education Department. The proposed protocol is attached as appendix 1.

3.2 The proposed protocol establishes the principles, practices and financial arrangements for Youth Service work within a school site. In particular, the protocol includes a statement on shared values, guidelines on the working arrangements for managing Youth Service work within school sites, a recommended code of conduct in relation to pupils, young people and visitors, and a framework for agreeing financial costs and payments.

3.3 The Working Group has considered a wide range of issues and consulted widely on the draft proposals. All secondary schools, including community managers, have been consulted on the draft protocol, as were relevant primary schools, Youth Service managers and workers, the Adult and Community Learning Unit, the County Treasurer and the Education Department Management Team.

3.4 The proposed protocol will improve the guidance given to headteachers and governors, Youth Service Managers and Senior Youth Workers and other key people in the education service.

4. Recommendation

The Panel advises the Executive Member for Education that:

1 The proposed Protocol be adopted.

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.