Archived decisions

Contact: Malcolm Rittman, County Youth Officer, Tel: 01962 846370

1 Summary

1.1 This report summarises recent developments in the Hampshire County Youth Service (HCYS) and updates Members on current issues including: Youth Service Management arrangements; Planning for the Local Authority Youth Service 2003-04 Guidance; County Action Plan Evaluation 2001-02; Hampshire County Youth Council work achievements and issues; summer activities programmes; social inclusion work and Joint Services to Youth Best Value Review.

2 Youth Service Management Arrangements

2.1 The Service is responding to a number of new initiatives including the management of the Hampshire County Council Connexions contract; the Transforming Youth Work agenda; support for the Social Inclusion Branch and the outcomes from the Joint Services Best Value Review

2.2 A number of changes have been made to the Youth Service Management Team responsibilities which include a Youth Service Manager appointed as Deputy County Youth Officer and an additional post in the team to manage the Connexions contract. Two Senior Youth Workers have been seconded to the management team to cover for the vacant post and the post vacated by the Youth Service Manager seconded to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) until March 03.

2.3 Cover arrangements are in place in the Basingstoke and Test Valley areas, where the secondees acted as Senior Youth Workers. In addition, cover arrangements are in place in Fareham until a permanent appointment is made due to the Senior Youth Worker moving to a Connexions Co-ordinator post. Temporary arrangements are continuing in Hart.

2.4 A more robust structure has been put in place to respond to the expanding administrative needs of the Youth Service and to provide the necessary support for Connexions.

2.5 These changes have had an impact on district staff teams and the capacity of staff to deliver Youth Work projects. Management support has been weakened by the Youth Service Manager - Deputy being on long term sick leave resulting in members of the management team assuming additional responsibilities. The management team will endeavour to ensure Youth Service priorities are met and that appropriate support is available for district teams.

3 Planning for the Local Authority Youth Service - 2003-04 Guidance

3.1 Guidance has now been published and a common planning framework produced by the Department for Education and Skills. It is anticipated that this process will make possible a clearer picture of the value of the Youth Service both within the Local Authority and for external partners.

3.2 To progress the plan a draft will be produced by December and consultation will take place with stakeholders to inform the plan.

3.3 Consultation has taken place with the voluntary sector and a successful conference was held on 12 October. Significant progress was made to review and develop partnership working between the Local Authority and voluntary organisations.

3.4 The final plan will be presented to the next meeting of this panel before approval by the executive Member for Education.

3 Hampshire County Youth Council

4.1 The Hampshire County Youth Council (HCYC) has been concerned for sometime about transport issues. A Transport Officer from the County Council and a manager from 'Stagecoach' accepted an invitation to attend a recent HCYC meeting and responded to some challenging questions about reduced fares for students, the attitude of some bus drivers towards young people and the quality and frequency of services. Following the meeting letters from the County Youth Council have been sent to follow up the key points that were raised. No reply had been received by the time of writing this report.

4.2 At the most recent meeting of the HCYC the Chief Executive of the South Central Connexions Partnership attended to share the latest information about Connexions and respond to questions. Future plans include the organising of a creative arts residential event celebrating Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee.

5. County Action Plan Evaluation 2001- 02

5.1 The County Action Plan 2001-02 established targets, planned actions and outcomes for the year. An evaluation summary (Appendix 1) has been produced highlighting the progress made against the targets.

5.2 Overall it was a very successful year for the Hampshire County Service. The range of opportunities for young people has increased, with young people becoming more involved through young people's councils and forums. The development of work focusing on the social inclusion of young people has increased and support for the Connexions pilot provided significant learning for developing the interface between the Youth Service and the future Connexions service.

5.3 Some projects were unable to respond effectively as the recruitment of staff still remains an issue for the service. To assist with the employment of nationally qualified staff the service is supporting 12 youth workers on nationally qualifying courses. More staff were involved in the local qualification programme, as this is now a contractual commitment, resulting in the percentage of locally qualified staff rising to 50%.

6. Joint Services to Youth Best Value Review Team

6.1 The Joint Services for Youth Best Value Review has reached the stage of presenting an outcomes report and an improvement plan to the Review Panel. The major outcome from the Review will be the development and delivery of a Hampshire County Council cross departmental Youth Strategy aimed at improving services for young people. The Youth Strategy will ensure that service improvements are under-pinned by 'joined up thinking' and by partnerships with other providers. The Youth Strategy will also affirm the important scrutiny role of the County Youth Panel and involve young people more fully in decision making processes. A full report on the Best Value Review will be presented to the next Youth Panel meeting.

7. Support for the Inclusion Branch

7.1 The Youth Service is responding to a request made by the Education Inclusion Branch to support the education of excluded pupils. This is in response to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) requirement for full-time education from September for all excluded pupils.

7.2 The plans for individual projects were put in place at short notice and staff have been diverted from existing projects. The initiative involves the equivalent of six full-time staff. Funding is available from the Inclusion Branch to support the work, so additional staff are being recruited, where possible to maintain ongoing work.

7.3 A range of support has been arranged in Test Valley, Basingstoke, Rushmoor, Winchester and Eastleigh. The focus of Youth Service involvement includes developing young people's personal and social skills through project work, group activities, arts, drama and games; outdoor activities and trips, climbing, visits and outdoor team building activities.

8. Summer Activities Programmes

8.1 This year the summer holiday period was a very busy time for districts teams as they involved young people in a broad range of activities and events. Opportunities included one off local events as well as residential projects. From the 1 July to the end of August 197 young people were involved in residential projects for a total of 105 days. The opportunities included mountain activities in Wales, sailing on a sail training vessel and visits abroad including Belgium, France and Africa. This is an expanding area of work and is intensive in staff time, but produces excellent outcomes for young people making a real impact on their lives and personal development.

9. Recommendations

(1) That the current developments in the Youth Service be welcomed and noted.

(2) That the contribution of the Hampshire County Youth Service to Connexions is noted and recognised.

(3) That the panel receives a full report on the outcomes and implementation of the Best Value Review - Joint Services to Youth.

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.

Working Together - Connexions and the Statutory Youth Service April 2002