Contact: Penny Velander, Policy and Performance Officer, ext 7479

This covering report is intended to provide an `at-a-glance' summary of the full report

1 Purpose:

1.1 This review's purpose is to consider support to young people across Hampshire County Council

1.2 The Statutory basis for providing this service is the 1944 Education Act, the Learning and Skills Act 2000, the Children Act 1989 and the Children Leaving Care Act

2 Best Value and this review

2.1 The major improvement planned from this review is the development of a cross departmental Hampshire County Council Youth Strategy which will have a clear corporate vision of the services for young people and indicates how this will be achieved. The outcomes are:

· A co-ordinated approach from the County Council and voluntary agencies working with young people

· To provide easier access to services, advice and support which will offer consistency of practice and standardise quality

· Good overall performance already delivers value for money; this will be broadened and improved through the Youth Strategy

2.2 Initial inspection and advice has been given by the District Auditor. This advice has been incorporated into the improvement plan.

3 Outcomes sought

3.1 The following service improvements are recommended:

· An increase in the personal development, recreational and self-esteem building opportunities available to young people

· Greater inclusion of young people in social and community activity, including involvement in decision making processes and in the taking of appropriate levels of responsibility

· An increase in the awareness, and the use made, of existing services by young people

· `Joining' up the range of services available to young people, ensuring that the services are cohesive and accessible

3.2 The net financial implications of these changes are £20,555 in year one and £11,913 in year two

3.3 The key staffing implications of these changes are 69 person days in year one reducing to 34.5 in year two

4 The review details:

4.1 The direct costs associated with the review are £1,792

4.2 The review took 153 person days to complete

4.3 The following elected Members were nominated to participate in the review:

· Cllr Michael Cartwright

· Cllr Patricia West

· Cllr Pamela Peskett

· Cllr Pamela Holden-Brown

· Cllr Patricia Banks

· Cllr William Wheeler

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. That the outcome report and improvement plan be agreed as representing the views of this Youth Panel

2. A summary of the review is prepared in the standard format for inclusion in the Best Value Performance Plan

3. That Cabinet are advised of the outcome of the Best Value review so that they can implement the improvement plan and give consideration to corporate funding

4. That a senior officer is nominated to lead the work of the cross departmental officer group developing the Youth Strategy and that an Elected Member is appointed as a Champion on youth issues

5. That the composition and terms of reference of the Youth Panel are strengthened, to ensure a continuing focus on youth issues across all county council departments and enabling in-depth examination of areas identified for review

6. That mechanisms are put in place for the Youth Panel to report to the executive

7. That arrangements are made for the Youth Panel to receive annual progress reports until the improvement plan is completed

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.

Records of the Services to Young People Best Value review team meetings and working papers of the Best Value Review, are held by the Review Team Leader.