Managing, supporting and promoting effective youth work

The strategic development plan 2003-2006 of the Hampshire County Youth Service.

Contents

	Page
Introduction	2
_ Aim	4
_ Purpose	4
_ Principles	5
_ Outcomes	5
_ Organisation	5
_ Structure	6
_ Partnerships	6
_ Approaches and methods	6
_ Youth Service priorities	8
_ Target age range	8
_ Priority groups and issues	8
_ Corporate Strategy	9
_ Quality assurance	10
Youth Service curriculum priorities 1 Personal and social skills 2 Democracy and decision making 3 Social inclusion 4 New opportunities and challenging experiences 5 Healthy lifestyles	11 13 15 17 19
Organisational developments 6 National and county developments 7 Employment and staff development 8 Financial resources 9 Quality assurance	21 23 26 28

Hampshire County Youth Service

Strategic Development Plan
2003-2006
Managing, supporting and promoting effective youth work

Introduction

Youth work engages young people by using a variety of informal learning opportunities through which they can grow and develop as empowered individuals. For youth work to be effective, high quality opportunities need to be developed and be well planned.

The Youth Service Strategic Development Plan enables everyone involved in Youth Service work to build on existing provision and develop quality learning opportunities for young people in Hampshire. It is intended to assist staff, colleagues and partner organisations to focus on the priorities established for the planning period.

The Strategic Development Plan provides:

· the curriculum for Youth Service work (see Principles and Outcomes)

· the priorities for Youth Service work between 2003 and 2006

· the framework for the Youth Service contribution to the Connexions Service in Hampshire

· the basis for all Youth Service District and Project Action Plans.

Expansion of County Youth Service provision is dependent on incremental improvement in core funding of the Youth Service to the national average level.

This Strategic Development Plan has been prepared in consultation with:

· Youth Service Staff

· County Council colleagues and Members

· Contacts in other organisations and agencies

· Young people.

This plan has been developed between February and May 2002 in order to develop the vision and priorities for Youth Service and Connexions work and the planning framework for 2003-2006. However, there are a number of factors which will influence the future development of Youth Service work in Hampshire. These factors include:

· the outcomes of the County Council Best Value review of services to young people in Hampshire (expected July 2002)

· the work, development and structure of the full Connexions Service, to be introduced throughout Hampshire in September 2002

· the impact of the Government requirement to prepare a Youth Service Plan by Autumn 2002, and the Common Planning Framework

The Government is introducing requirements that Local Education Authority Youth Services:

· prioritise Youth Service work for 13-19 year olds and allocate at least 80% of Youth Service funding to this age group

· work closely with Connexions Partnership Boards

· include the Connexions Service branding as part of their day-to-day operations for the support of 13-19 year olds

· ensure that high quality youth work is safeguarded through the interface with Connexions Service.

The priorities and organisational developments have been prepared in the context of:

· young people's needs

· the need to develop and expand the Service

· the County Council Corporate Strategy

· the County Council Education Development Plan

· Best Value

· the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund

· the pilot Connexions projects, and the introduction of the Connexions Service throughout Hampshire

· the developing statements on standards, adequacy, and ethics in youth work.

The County Youth Service will continue to integrate youth work provision with other County Council services and will contribute to meeting the objectives within associated strategies like the Healthy Schools project and the Behaviour Support Plan.

The Hampshire County Youth Service is well placed to respond to the needs and issues affecting young people and take a lead role in meeting the challenges presented both locally and nationally.

Malcolm Rittman, County Youth Officer.

June 2002

Hampshire County Youth Service

Managing, supporting and promoting effective youth work

Aims

1. To promote and deliver opportunities which are challenging, supportive, exciting and fun for young people, enabling them to learn, develop and respond to change

2. To develop and deliver effective services for young people in partnership with other organisations and agencies.

Purpose

The Youth Service:

· creates opportunities to encourage young people to achieve their potential as empowered individuals and members of groups and communities

· supports young people during the transition to adulthood

· provides learning opportunities, which challenge young people to respond critically and creatively to their everyday experiences and to the wider world around them

· promotes the influence of young people, their involvement in decision making and active citizenship

· works closely with other organisations and agencies to provide high quality services to young people.

· identifies young people at risk, and provides youth workers with specialist knowledge, expertise and experience

· provides a safe, trusted and informal environment for young people, in which to deliver integrated services

· provides youth workers who may be best placed to act as a young person's personal adviser

· provides community based youth work that is culturally appropriate and diverse, and encourages access and engagement of hardest to reach groups including those from black and ethnic minority populations

Principles

The Youth Service is committed to promoting opportunities for young people which complement Connexions objectives and principles. For young people, youth work:

· is based on their choice

· begins at their starting point

· is based on the principles of equity and fairness

· encourages learning

· is exciting, challenging and fun

· encourages them to make the most of their lives.

Outcomes

Outcomes from youth work for young people:

· responsibility for their personal development

· the development of self-esteem, awareness, confidence and high aspirations

· the acquisition of a range of new skills and knowledge

· personal learning including physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, social and emotional development

· the awareness of rights and responsibilities

· participation in the democratic process

· active citizenship

· social inclusion

· participation in new opportunities and experiences

· recognition of achievement and learning

· healthy lifestyles

· successful transition to adulthood

· successful transition to further education, training and employment

· action plans for career and life goals.

Organisation

The Youth Service achieves the planned outcomes for young people through the development of a range of services by:

· establishing policies, and quality standards, and monitoring their implementation

· establishing, developing, and managing provision including specialist and targeted work with young people

· working in partnership with other organisations, the Connexions Service, statutory agencies and voluntary youth groups

· providing grant aid to voluntary youth groups and organisations

· maintaining well-qualified staff teams

· ensuring resources are targeted to reflect Youth Service priorities and maximised through the acquisition of additional funding.

Structure

The Youth Service is a part of the Hampshire County Council Education Service, and located within the Lifelong Learning Branch. The County Youth Service is managed through 11 districts, coterminous with district council boundaries. Each Youth Service district has a team of youth workers who deliver a range of projects and services, consistent with County Youth Service priorities and in response to local issues. The Youth Service manages the Connexions contract on behalf of the County Council and works closely with other agencies and the South Central Connexions Partnership.

Partnerships

The County Youth Service works closely with young people and a wide range of partner organisations to provide quality youth work opportunities to young people. The Service will continue to work in partnership with the Connexions Service, Community Safety Partnerships, the Youth Offending Team, the Drug Action Team, other agencies and organisations, including voluntary youth organisations, and will seek to increase the number and range of partnership agreements.

Approaches and methods

There are a variety of styles, methods and approaches to youth work. Relationships and learning opportunities are developed with young people in a range of situations and venues including:

· purpose-built youth centres

· schools and colleges

· community buildings

· one-stop shops

· places where young people meet and congregate which may be on a street, a bus shelter or a community meeting place

· outdoor education environments

· mobile youth projects.

Youth Service Aim:

To promote and deliver opportunities which are challenging, supportive, exciting and fun for young people, enabling them to learn, develop and respond to change.

To achieve this aim, the range of methods and approaches includes:

· detached, outreach and mobile work

· youth clubs and centres

· information, advice and support services

· youth counselling

· focused project work

· inclusion projects

· education support work

· Connexions projects

· outdoor education

· residentials

· international experiences

· summer holiday projects

· individual support and personal advice

· participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award

· recognition of learning and Youth Achievement Awards

· young worker training

· youth forums and councils

· after-school clubs

· arts work, music, dance and drama

· sporting activity.

Youth Service Aim:

To develop and deliver effective services for young people in partnership with other organisations and agencies.

To achieve this aim the Youth Service will be:

· working in close partnership with schools in helping to meet the needs and aspirations of young people within the community, particularly in implementing Connexions services for young people

· enabling youth workers to work as Personal Advisers

· advocating for young people to be involved in decision making processes

· providing advice and guidance to other agencies working with young people

· working in partnership with Connexions and other organisations

· contributing to a range of multi agency groups and initiatives

Youth Service priorities

To develop and build upon existing provision, the Youth Service has agreed priorities for 2003-2006. The Youth Service will focus resources to maximise the benefits for young people in Hampshire and to respond effectively to Government and County initiatives.

Curriculum priorities are:

1 To enable young people to develop personal and social skills and high aspirations

2 To involve young people in democracy and decision making

3 To promote the social inclusion of young people

4 To engage young people in new opportunities and challenging experiences

5 To encourage young people to lead healthy lifestyles.

Organisational priorities are:

6 National and County priorities

7 Employment and staff development

8 Financial resources

9 Quality Assurance and evaluation

Target age range:

The Youth Service will work with young people aged 11-24 allocating at least 80% of Youth Service resources to the 13-19 priority group

Priority groups and issues:

Whilst providing open access to Youth Service work and seeking to provide opportunities for all young people, the Service will allocate resources to:

· specific groups of young people including:

_ young people with special needs or disabilities

_ young parents

_ young women

_ young people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual

_ young people from ethnic groups

_ young people at risk of exclusion

· social issues or concerns with young people including:

_ drug and alcohol misuse

_ offending activity and crime

_ health

_ housing and accommodation

_ education and training

_ employment.

Supporting Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy

The Youth Service priorities have been established in the context of Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy and the Corporate Aims. Youth Service priorities address the Corporate Aims in the following ways:

Corporate Aim		Youth Service Priority
1	Developing the quality of life in Hampshire	Personal and social skills Democracy and decision making
2	Stewardship of the environment	This principle underpins all Youth Service work with young people, in particular outdoor and residential education projects
3	Achieving an economic prosperity in balance with Hampshire's environmental needs	Personal and social skills Democracy and decision making Social inclusion and Connexions New opportunities and challenging experiences Healthy lifestyles
4	Promoting involvement, participation and partnership to achieve the development of strong communities in Hampshire	Personal and social skills Democracy and decision making Social inclusion and Connexions New opportunities and challenging experiences Healthy lifestyles
5	Providing high quality services to the public through well-trained, managed and motivated staff and through third parties where the council acts as an enabler.	Youth Service organisational developments ensure the provision of a robust high quality service, which directly delivers and promotes youth work with young people.

Quality assurance

The County Youth Service seeks to ensure that all projects and services provide good quality learning opportunities for young people and provide good value for the money invested.

The Service will seek to maintain and improve the services provided through regular monitoring and assessment of work planned and carried out. The Youth Service quality assurance system includes the following:

· annual planning of Youth Service work

· longer-term planning where appropriate

· planning face-to-face youth work sessions

· establishing planned outcomes from youth work sessions

· monitoring youth work sessions, projects, districts and countywide work

· establishing standards, clear expectations, and criteria for good practice

· evaluating, recording and reporting on work carried out

· ensuring that young people are involved in planning, monitoring, evaluating, recording and reporting on Youth Service work wherever possible

· establishing partnership agreements with other organisations and agencies

· making provision for joint planning evaluation and review as appropriate

· analysing quantative and qualitative information and using the results in management planning

· regular management (supervision) meetings and performance review for all Youth Service staff

· regular meetings of staff in projects, districts and across the county for planning, evaluating and sharing good practice

· management and peer visits to projects

· the use of frameworks such as the Ofsted Self-Assessment Schedule and Inspection framework.

Youth Service curriculum priorities

1 To enable young people to develop personal and social skills and high aspirations

Objectives

Opportunities and programmes will be created to develop young people's personal and social skills which:

· raise self-esteem and develop personal and social skills

· enable the development of positive personal relationships with both peers and adults

· recognise and accredit learning

· enable the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to be available to a wide range of young people and supported in a variety of settings

· challenge them to aim high and achieve their personal best

· enable young people to plan and identify their own ideas and solutions

Outcomes

Through planned learning opportunities, and interventions which focus on their personal and social development, young people will:

· feel more confident and assertive

· have developed a more positive self-image

· relate more effectively with both peers and adults in a variety of circumstances and situations

· achieve accreditation for their learning, through the achievement of award programmes

· develop a range of personal and social skills and be able to use these skills effectively.

Targets -1- Personal and social skills

	Target	Planned Actions
1.1	Provision of a range of opportunities and programmes in projects and districts to include: · Open access for all young people · Focused work on priority groups and issues	All projects supported by the Youth Service to provide open access and focused work in response to local needs and service priorities
1.2	Provision of Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) programmes in all districts	All districts to support the DofE award and broaden the range of young people involved
1.3	Accreditation of learning for young people in all appropriate projects	All districts to support the accreditation of young people's learning through youth achievement awards, DofE and individual certificates
1.4	Promotion of equalities focus in all Youth Service projects	Equalities principles to underpin all Youth Service work and monitored by Equalities Review Group
1.5	Support for the developing Connexions Strategy in Hampshire	All districts to work with the Connexions Service, to provide and maintain co-ordinated opportunities and services for young people
1.6	Provision of specific opportunities for the 11-13 age range.	Operate after school projects where funding allows. Work with Children's Fund partners to deliver agreed projects.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by all staff, and in particular:

· Youth Service Manager (curriculum development)

· Youth Officer, Duke of Edinburgh's Award/Outdoor Education

· Senior Youth Workers and district teams.

2 To involve young people in democracy and decision making

Objectives

Opportunities will be established to involve young people in democracy and decision making including:

· the provision of opportunities to be involved in decision making processes within projects, clubs and services, using a range of methods

· structured opportunities for commenting on the nature and quality of youth service experiences

· participating in the County Youth Council and local youth forums/councils including youth parish councils

· sharing and acting on ideas and issues

· strategies which raise their profile through effective partnerships, marketing and advocacy

· the voluntary involvement of young people with a range of experiences and views.

Outcomes

Through being involved in planned learning opportunities, activities and experiences focusing on democracy and decision making, young people will:

· know how to express their views effectively

· be able to work with others and influence opinions and decisions

· take part in decision making and influence decisions in Youth Service districts, projects, clubs, services and the Youth Panel

· support others to express views on issues affecting young people

· gain greater self-confidence and self-esteem

· have greater knowledge of democratic and political processes, and be wanting to play a part in those processes

· know how to influence others

· have experience of political processes

· know when their views have made a difference.

Targets - 2 - Democracy and decision making

	Targets	Planned Actions
2.1	Establish and develop youth councils and youth forums in all districts and projects	All districts and Youth participation team to establish youth councils and forums throughout the county.
2.2	Establish links between citizenship programmes in schools, Connexions work and Youth Service initiatives	All districts to build on existing work with schools and develop new work with Connexions staff, to enhance citizenship programmes.
2.3	Develop the work of the Hampshire County Youth Council (HCYC) and support members of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP)	Youth worker time to be provided at a country level to support HCYC and MYPs. Youth workers in districts to encourage and support participation in HCYC and UKYP.
2.4	Young people are involved in influencing: · County Council policies · Youth Service Work · Connexions Service	Youth participation teams to work with HCC departments, Youth Service staff in districts and Connexions staff, to develop and implement a strategy for involving young people in decision making processes.
2.5	Surveys of young people and focus groups (Service users and non-users) influencing the work of the Youth Service.	Annual survey of young people using Youth Service provision to be widened to include `non-users' and influence action plans. The qualitative element of the survey with focus groups to be further developed. Projects and districts to assess the needs of local young people through local surveys and consultation.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· Senior Youth Workers and district teams

· Youth Service Manager (curriculum development)

· Development Youth Worker (curriculum development and participation)

· Project Youth Workers

· Support staff.

3 To promote the social inclusion of young people

Objectives

Activities promoting social inclusion will be provided which enable young people to:

· be involved and feel part of their local community

· engage in learning processes at school and elsewhere

· develop a positive lifestyle which avoids involvement in criminal activities, either as a victim or an offender

· address personal development needs as members of specific groups

· develop positive, acceptable behaviour styles and avoid anti-social and unacceptable behaviour.

Outcomes

Through planned learning opportunities and interventions which focus on social inclusion, young people will:

· feel part of their school, college, workplace and local community

· develop and maintain effective relationships

· choose to be involved in positive activities and avoid crime, anti-social and hazardous situations

· become more confident and capable as members of specific groups and the wider community

· develop and maintain behaviour which is beneficial to themselves and others

· understand the value of learning

· have greater self-confidence and self-esteem

· become more involved in opportunities available through their school, college or workplace.

Targets - 3 - Social inclusion

	Targets	Planned Actions
3.1	Projects benefiting young people disengaged from education and/or their local community	Districts to work with Connexions, Education Welfare and other appropriate agencies and organisations to develop a co-ordinated approach to work with young people who are disengaged.
3.2	Projects enabling young people at risk of exclusion to maintain and increase their learning through school and/or college education	Districts to work with schools and Connexions to develop a co-ordinated approach to work with young people at risk of exclusion.
3.3	Projects enabling young people to avoid the risk of crime and be involved in positive activities with others	Districts to liase with Hampshire Constabulary, District Councils and Community Safety Partnerships, and provide projects to reduce crime and the negative effects on people.
3.4	Projects enabling young people disengaged from school to benefit from the Connexions service and become involved in education and personal development opportunities	Districts to work with schools and Connexions service to increase projects which promote support and challenge to young people disengaged from school.
3.5	Projects established for minority groups to meet their needs for personal development and social and educational inclusion.	Districts undertake needs assessment and support projects which meet the needs of minority groups

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· Youth Service Manager (social inclusion)

· Youth Service Manager (external funding)

· Development Youth Worker (social inclusion)

· Senior Youth Workers and District Teams

· Project Youth Workers

· Support Staff.

4 To engage young people in new opportunities and challenging experiences

Objectives

New and challenging opportunities will be provided which enable young people to:

· take part in outdoor education activities

· take part in an exciting and varied programme of activities and be involved in the planning processes

· challenge their attitudes and facilitate learning about other cultures and lifestyles

· experience and take part in arts and cultural events

· experience and take part in residential activities

· take part in sporting activity and physical exercise.

Outcomes

Through planned learning opportunities and interventions which involve new and challenging experiences, young people will:

· develop new skills and confidence through outdoor education, sports and arts experiences

· experience residential activities away from their home

· learn how to manage the experience of living with other young people and adults

· learn about other cultures and lifestyles and develop awareness and understanding

· develop the confidence and enthusiasm required to take risks, with the necessary support and advice

· improve their fitness.

Targets - 4 - New opportunities and challenging experiences

	Targets	Planned Actions
4.1	An exciting range of new opportunities and challenging experiences	All districts and projects to provide a programme of new opportunities and challenging experiences, planned in co-operation with young people
4.2	Opportunities for residential activities through district and project programmes	Minimum levels of provision to be determined annually. All districts to ensure young people have residential opportunities
4.3	Youth exchange opportunities and other activities with an international dimension	Minimum levels of provision to be determined annually
4.4	Outdoor education experiences to complement the youth work programme in districts and projects	All districts to ensure outdoor education experiences are available to all Youth Service participants
4.5	A range of multicultural activities promoting diversity, equalities, and knowledge of other cultures.	All projects to offer a range of multicultural activities. Minimum levels of provision to be determined annually.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· Senior Youth Workers

· County Youth Officer and Resource Manager

· Youth Officer, Development and Training

· Youth Service Managers

· Project Youth Workers

· Support Staff.

5 To encourage young people to lead healthy lifestyles

Objectives

Information, personal support and educational opportunities will be provided, which enable young people to:

· understand the risks and reduce the use of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs

· improve their mental health

· manage risk in their lives

· be aware of issues affecting their sexual health

· live in a safer environment and avoid physical, sexual and emotional abuse and the abuse of trust

· develop and maintain positive relationships with their peers and family

· develop the confidence and skills to avoid harm to themselves and others

· resolve issues and crises in their lives.

Outcomes

Through planned learning opportunities and interventions which focus on healthy lifestyles, young people will:

· improve their skills, self-confidence and self-esteem

· know when and how to avoid hazards to themselves and others

· know how to avoid situations which could lead to abuse

· understand how to improve relationships with peers and family

· know how to manage themselves and avoid situations which could lead to harm of themselves and others

· establish strategies to resolve issues and crises in their lives

· appreciate the hazards of using legal and illegal drugs including tobacco and alcohol and make decisions about their lifestyle

· respect themselves and others, and play a positive role in their community.

Targets - 5 - Healthy lifestyles

	Targets	Planned Actions
5.1	Promotion of healthy lifestyles in all youth work programmes	All project action plans to include at least one opportunity for young people to develop skills to maintain healthy lifestyles
5.2	Address the mental health and development needs of young people in co-operation with health promotion agencies	District plans to include programmes and plans Staff training programme to be developed and implemented
5.3	Enable young people to take decisions which · Avoid unnecessary hazards · Avoid the misuse of drugs	Projects provide and evaluate programmes and opportunities, and identify outcomes and changes for young people
5.4	Promotion of work which enables young people to develop and maintain sexual health and avoid teenage pregnancy.	Districts in conjunction with other agencies to develop joint programmes and plans Young peoples1 greater understanding and skill development to be monitored and evaluated.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· Youth Service Manager (curriculum development)

· Youth Service Manager (external funding)

· Youth Officer, Development and Training

· Project Youth Workers

· Support Staff

· Senior Youth Workers and District Teams.

Organisational developments

6 National and county developments

Aim: To enable the Youth Service to respond effectively to national, county and local initiatives

Objectives

The Service will organise and develop work in order to:

· develop projects to meet Youth Service priorities

· respond to Government initiatives

· work corporately with County Council departments, the Connexions Partnership and other agencies providing services to young people.

Outcomes

As a result of focusing on county and national initiatives, the Youth Service will:

· work effectively with other branches of the education department

· establish and maintain work in partnership with other County Council departments

· establish effective working arrangements with the Connexions Service and other agencies and organisations including voluntary youth organisations

· contribute to lifelong learning partnerships and future developments.

Targets - 6 - National and county priorities

	Targets	Planned Actions
6.1	Develop partnerships and programmes with the Connexions Service	Co-ordinate the contract on behalf of Hampshire County Council with the Connexions Partnership
6.2	Prepare the Youth Service Plan in the context of the Transforming Youth Work agenda	Produce and implement the Youth Work plan in consultation with the voluntary youth work sector and Connexions Partnership
6.3	Provision of programmes to meet the educational and personal development needs of the 11-13 age range	All districts to develop programmes in response to needs and priorities in partnership with schools and other organisations
6.4	Provision of projects focused on the educational and employment needs of young adults aged 19 - 24	Develop projects in partnership with the Adult and Community Learning Unit
6.5	Develop strategies for work with young people in Hampshire in co-operation with other County Council services	Support district and county Local Strategic Plans, and the development of Community strategies
6.6	Develop partnerships with appropriate agencies and organisations in order to maintain and increase Youth Service programmes.	Strengthen the relationship and partnership working with organisations and agencies, particularly the voluntary sector.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· County Youth Officer

· Youth Service Manager (planning and partnerships)

· Project Youth Workers

· Senior Youth Workers.

7 Employment and staff development

Aim: To ensure staffing arrangements are able to support expansion and change in response to priorities, national, county and local initiatives

Objectives

The service will organise and develop arrangements in order to:

· recruit and retain well-qualified and skilled staff

· ensure recruitment and selection arrangements are effective and efficient

· ensure that recruitment packages are attractive

· ensure that employment, training and support packages for staff are supportive and encourage staff to develop relevant skills and abilities

· review conditions of service to ensure compliance with current legislation

· ensure learning opportunities are in place to improve and develop skills and qualifications of staff

· provide training and staff-development opportunities to other organisations delivering youth work.

Outcomes

As a result of focusing initiatives on recruitment, support, training and staff development, youth work and support staff will:

· be keen and committed to Youth Service work

· be attracted to Youth Service appointments

· be keen to develop their skills, abilities and experience

· value the contribution of volunteers

· develop a team culture to support youth service work

· help to improve quality of youth work in other organisations.

Targets - 7- Employment and staff development

	Targets	Planned Actions
7.1	Ensure best equalities practice in relation to employment and development of staff is actively identified and promoted	Develop an equalities action plan with targets and timescales Ensure effective implementation monitoring and evaluation of the plan Ensure personnel policies, in particular equal opportunities, continue to be developed and incorporated into Youth Service structure and practice
7.2	Youth work staff to be well qualified for their Youth Service work and continuing their professional development	Maintain at least 55% of youth work staff locally qualified All staff to attend at least 12 hours of professional development each year Implement progressive training programme for all staff with national accreditation where appropriate
7.3	Staffing structure to continue to adapt to needs of the service	Youth Work posts and admin posts designed to meet changing needs of the service
7.4	Policy for the recruitment and support for unpaid staff	Policy and guidelines implemented to ensure progressive recruitment and development opportunities
7.5	Training and support for youth work staff to contribute to the Connexions Service	Staff enabled to access appropriate Connexions training and supported in their roles as personal advisers Maintain at least two youth workers per district, qualified to act as personal adviser
7.6	Training for staff to develop democracy and decision-making activities with young people	Programme to be established for staff who have specific responsibilities
7.7	Staff development opportunities meeting the needs of youth workers in the maintained and voluntary youth work sectors.	Needs to be identified annually More voluntary sector youth workers involved in training promoted by Hampshire County Youth Service.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· County Youth Officer

· Youth Service Manager (human resources)

· Youth Officer (training and development)

· Senior Youth Workers and other district staff

· Resource Manager

· Support Staff.

8 Financial resources

Aim: To ensure the County Youth Service has sufficient financial resources to support and develop core provision and respond effectively to priority aims

Objectives

The service will organise and develop work in order to:

· maintain and improve the level of funding available for youth work

· support partnership working with other agencies and the development of voluntary youth work in association with the Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services

· develop jointly funded projects which meet Youth Service targets, and the targets of partner organisations

· develop strategies which secure additional funding for youth work

· maintain efficient, cost-effective provision, in keeping with Best Value principles.

Outcomes

As a result of focusing Youth Service work, the service will:

· have established additional partnership projects and services

· have secured additional funding

· have brought together a network of key Youth Service staff committed to increasing resources

· deliver and support efficient and effective youth provision.

Targets - 8 - Financial resources

	Targets	Planned Actions
8.1	Maintain and increase core funding for the Youth Service to ensure that the County Council budget at least matches the national average spending on the Youth Service by local authorities	Data produced to highlight the performance of the service against national benchmarks and comparator authorities
8.2	Attract additional funding to support Youth Service priorities from appropriate funding sources.	Opportunities sought and bids made to external funding organisations to increase the Youth Service budget.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· County Youth Officer

· Resource Manager

· Youth Service Manager (external funding)

· Senior Youth Workers and District Youth Workers

· Project Youth Workers

· Support Staff.

9 Quality assurance and evaluation

Aim: To ensure that Youth Service work is of consistently good quality, that staff are able to demonstrate this, and that young people gain from the evaluation process

Objectives

The service will organise and provide time in order to:

· develop and maintain a county-wide system of evaluation, based on action plans at project, district and county levels

· continue to develop quality assurance arrangements

· maintain an annual programme of consultation with young people who use the service

· establish methods of consultation with non-users of the Youth Service

· implement effective information collection, reporting and analysis procedures.

Outcomes

As a result of improved quality assurance and evaluation, the service will have:

· improved the learning by young people from their involvement with the Youth Service

· secured information about the results of Youth Service work

· information about the needs of young people who do not use Youth Service provision

· efficient and effective reporting procedures.

Targets - 9 - Quality assurance

	Targets	Planned Actions
9.1	Maintain and develop a comprehensive quality assurance system	Systems in place and used to inform, develop and enhance the Service
9.2	Involvement of young people in the quality assurance processes and decision making	Young people trained and supported to comment, inspect and feedback on services
9.3	Integration of the Youth Service quality assurance system with other frameworks including the Ofsted scheme of self-assessment and inspection.	Ofsted self-assessment to be completed and used to improve the Service.

Action

The objectives, outcomes and targets require action by:

· Youth Service Manager (curriculum development)

· Senior Youth Workers and District Teams

· Resource Manager

· Support Staff.