Archived decisions

Contact: Paul Davies, Youth Service Manager - Connexions, Tel: 01962 846548
Malcolm Rittman, County Youth Officer, Tel: 01962 846370

1. Summary

1.1 This paper outlines progress in establishing the Connexions Service in Hampshire and outlines the initiatives the Youth Service will be developing on behalf of the County Council to implement the contract with the South Central Connexions Partnership (SCCP).

2. Background

2.1 In August 2002 the SCCP gained approval from the Connexions Service National Unit (CSNU) for the Partnership business plan to be implemented from 1 September 2002. This means that from 31 August the pilot Connexions project formally came to a close and the period until 31 March is seen as the implementation phase of the new service.

3. Connexions Contract

3.1 Hampshire County Council will be contracting with the Partnership to deliver a number of elements of the Connexions service which includes:

(i) co-ordinating the service in Hampshire

(ii) managing teams of personal advisers in districts

(iii) the development of one stop centres in each district

3.2 To support the implementation a Youth Service Manager has been appointed as project manager and will be supported by a principal administrative officer and information officer. A central Connexions office is being established at Clarendon House in Winchester.

3.3 It has been agreed that the Hampshire Manager, employed by the SCCP along with administrative support, will be accommodated at Clarendon House until permanent arrangements are made. Hampshire County Council is also offering accommodation to the SCCP information officer at the Area Office in Fareham.

3.4 The formal contract between SCCP and the County Council is being negotiated and will be agreed during October.

3.5 The contract identifies the work commissioned by the partnership, who will be providing the financial support.

4. Establishing the Co-ordination of Connexions

4.1 To ensure experiences developed during the pilot activity were not lost but built upon, it was possible to offer all staff employed in the pilot scheme posts within the new structure. Staff have either accepted new contracts and settled into the new structure or left at the end of their fixed term contract.

4.2 The main activity in developing this part of the contract has been the appointment of staff to posts. This is a considerable task as the total number of staff working directly within the Connexions contract will be 67.

4.3 District Co-ordinator posts were advertised in July and October. It is expected that all co-ordinator posts will be filled by December. Co-ordinators will be based in area offices at Fareham, Applemore and Basingstoke. Equipment has been ordered, services organised and refurbishment arranged as necessary.

4.4 The Fareham office is based at Xperience in Trinity Street and will accommodate the co-ordinator for Havant (0.5) and Gosport.

4.5 The Applemore office based at Images, which is part of the Applemore Recreation Centre, will accommodate two co-ordinators, one for Eastleigh and the New Forest and the other for Test Valley and Winchester.

4.6 The Basingstoke office based at the John Hunt of Everest Community School site in Popley Way will accommodate the co-ordinators for Basingstoke (0.5), Hart and Rushmoor and East Hampshire (0.5)

4.7 Recruitment for Personal and Information Advisers is taking place over three phases: Phase 1 October for posts in Basingstoke, Fareham, Gosport and Havant; Phase 2 November for posts in Eastleigh, the New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester; Phase 3 January for posts in Hart, Rushmoor and East Hampshire.

4.8 A separate process is in place to recruit administrative staff.

5. One Stop Centres

5.1 A considerable amount of work has been developed to establish one-stop shops. It is anticipated there will be on existing youth counselling, and information projects supported by the Hampshire County Youth Service. Most initiatives are interagency projects, which can be extended to support Connexions activity. A progress report is attached - Appendix 1.

6. Current priorities

6.1 Work with schools: a number of briefing meetings were held in each district throughout the summer and early autumn for all maintained and special schools and education centres. These have been useful opportunities to discuss with school staff the developments of Connexions and how work with schools will be established. The next stage in developing relationships with schools and colleges is the negotiation of a formal agreement. It is hoped these will be completed by December 02.

6.2 Establishing work bases: work bases are required for all staff working within Connexions. Where possible staff will be working from bases where delivery of work with young people is taking place.

6.3 Recruitment and induction of staff: following appointment all staff will receive an induction programme to both the County Council and Connexions.

6.4 Establishing District Forums and managers' groups: to support the delivery at a local level working groups and forums will be established.

6.5 Networks: to support the development of Connexions networks will be built across the County and especially with organisations working across a number of districts with young people.

Recommendation

1 That the report and progress on developing the Connexions strategy be welcomed.

2 That the executive member for Education be advised to approve the Connexions contract once agreement has been reached on the terms agreed between the two parties.

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.

Nil.