Archived decisions

Contact: Malcolm Rittman, County Youth Officer, Tel: 01962 846370, email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report summarises recent developments in the Hampshire County Youth Service (HCYS) and updates Members on current issues including: Young people involved in summer activities; Hampshire County Youth Council initiatives, Connexions developments and Information, advice and youth counselling review.

2 Summer activities

2.1 The involvement of young people in events and activities during the summer period of July and August is an expanding area of work for the Hampshire County Youth Service. This year has been no exception. District teams and development youth workers organised over 137 events, which included 27 residential opportunities involving 2806 young people. Events and activities included: trips to Calshot; DJ workshops; sail training opportunities; music events; narrow boating; mountain biking; painting a room in the youth centre; and further afield to Newquay, Outward Bound in Wales and a youth exchange with Finland.

2.2 Summer Activities are an expanding area of work and is intensive in staff time, but produces excellent outcomes for young people, which has a real impact on their lives and personal development.

3 Review of Information, Advice and Counselling Services

3.1 The Hampshire County Youth Service supports and delivers Information, Advice and Counselling Services to young people across Hampshire, either directly or through partnerships with other agencies and organisations.

3.2 In light of developments locally and nationally a thorough review has been planned of Information, Advice and Youth Counselling Services supported by the Youth Service to ensure services are efficient and effective in meeting young people's issues. The Youth Affairs Unit of De Montfort University has been contracted to undertake the review in order to develop a strategy for improving these services for young people.

3.3 The review will involve interviews in each district with managers, young people, staff, management committee, Connexions, as well as related agencies and organisations.

3.3 It is intended to complete the review by the end of November leading to a revised strategy and action plan to support this area of work.

4 Hampshire County Youth Council

4.1 Over the last few months Hampshire County Youth Council (HCYC) has continued to grow in terms of the number of young people involved and the representation they have. The reputation of the group is growing as well as becoming increasingly recognised as an active body of committed young people.

4.2 HCYC have taken a number of major steps forward. The council has successfully joined the British Youth Council and two representatives attended both the Local Youth Council Residential and the AGM held in Liverpool. The HCYC has written and adopted an Equal Opportunities Policy and joined the Votes at 16 campaign following a meeting attended by a speaker from the campaign.

4.3 Local Democracy Week was held 13-19 October 03. A meeting with the Leader of Hampshire County Council and elected members has taken place, with the aim of raising the profile of young people's participation in local government.

4.4 Steadily progress is being made on a new web-site and planning has started for two residentials. The first to be held in November with a number of the Berkshire Youth Forums and the second in February 2004 as the annual residential with members from local youth councils.

4.5 HCYC has forged links with the commitment of the Youth Inspector from Hampshire Police, who regularly attends meetings and is planning to work closely on future issues affecting young people. In addition, HCYC is working closely with the Connexions Local Management Committee and providing ongoing support for the Hampshire members of the UK Youth Parliament.

4.6 Other activities included a BBQ and sleepover held in August at the Privett Centre near Petersfield, a good night was had by all.

4.7 The dates for the Hampshire County Youth Council meetings for 2004 are as follows:

Thursday, 8 January 2004

Tuesday, 10 February 2004

Annual General Meeting - Wednesday, 10 March 2004

All of the above meetings will take place in the Wellington Room, The Castle, Winchester from 19:00 - 21:00hrs

5 Connexions update

5.1 The Hampshire County Youth Service has been managing the Hampshire County Council contract, which has involved in a considerable amount of activity over the last year. Appendix 1 outlines a number of achievements. Establishing the service has entailed the appointment of 61 staff including their induction and ongoing support as well as developing the infrastructure to support them with work bases and communication networks.

5.2 The priority focus has been to ensure effective work with young people is developed and making a difference to them. In a short space of time Personal Advisers have developed effective support skills to enable young people to make appropriate decisions that affect their lives.

5.3 District co-ordinators have been managing and developing service into place locally. They have developed a network of agencies in districts to ensure organisations are working together and established local forums and management groups. Effective working practices are being developed with other agencies including those who also hold a contract with the Connexions partnership examples include Social Services; Teenage Pregnancy Initiative; Youth Offending Team and Health.

5.4 Work with schools and colleges is progressing and each establishment has a named Personal Adviser and nearly all have a formal agreement in place to facilitate effective Connexions support.

5.5 To reach this stage has required a considerable amount of work and commitment from all those involved in the contract's development. The South Central Connexions Partnership are reviewing the contracts they need to deliver their targets and new specifications are being drafted to replace all existing contracts from 31 July 04. The current HCC contract is due to finish on 31 March 04 but has been extended to 31 July. To continue the work and develop the work of Connexions it is proposed to bid for a revised contract, which would continue to be managed within the Hampshire County Youth Service.

6 Recommendations

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Education:

That Hampshire County Council bid for a contract with the South Central Connexions Partnership to continue to develop the work of the Connexions Service.

That the current developments in the Hampshire County Youth Service be welcomed and noted.

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