Contact: Anne Odling, (01962) 847216, [email protected];

Annette Rebentisch, (01962) 847150, [email protected]

1 Summary

The following decision is sought:

1.1 That a one-off grant of £6,100 to Andover Young Carers Project be made.

2 Reason

2.1 To make contributions towards the costs of services provided by the voluntary and community organisation which are compatible with the objectives, priorities and policies of the Social Services Department.

2.2 This decision supports Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities) and Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by financially contributing to services of voluntary organisations, and Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by its partnership approach.

2.3 The application in this report has been managed in accordance with the aims of the Hampshire Compact.

3 Other options considered and rejected

None

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or a Member or other Executive member consulted

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by: Date of decision:

Councillor Felicity Hindson

Presenter: Anne Odling, (01962) 847216, [email protected]

Contact: Annette Rebentisch, (01962) 847150, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report seeks the approval of a one-off grant of £6,100 for 2004-05 to Andover Young Carers Project.

1.2 This decision supports Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities) and Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by financially contributing to services of voluntary and community organisations, and Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by its partnership approach.

2 Background

2.1 Grants to voluntary and community organisations for 2004-05 of £5,000 and more amounting to £529,421 have previously been approved against a previous budget of £1.09 million.

2.2 This report seeks the approval of a one-off grant of £6,100.

2.3 In dealing with the application regard has been given to the Hampshire Compact and its Codes of Good Practice.

3 Impact Assessment

3.1 In compiling this report, regard has been taken of the requirements of the Corporate Equalities Plan and Race Scheme. In the Hampshire Compact it is stated that the voluntary sector is responsible for having policies that ensure equality of opportunity.

4 Andover Young Carers Project - £6,100

4.1 Andover Young Carers Project supports young carers living in Andover in the age range 8 to 17 years. A young carer is defined as a person up to the age of 18 years whose life is affected in some way because of the need to care for someone at home. The caring role may be physical, emotional or both.

4.2 The Project supports these young carers by offering them a place to meet and various activities including a carers club, a homework club, support groups in school, short trips, and holidays. It also has a "buddy" scheme and provides counselling and one-to-one support.

4.3 The Project collects feedback about the services from the children, their families, the schools and other stakeholders. Feedback is very positive, with 73% of children saying that the Project has helped them lots.

4.4 Currently, 156 young carers benefit from the Project's activities. In the three years of its existence, Andover Young Carers Project has helped 219 children.

4.5 The organisation received three years core funding from the Community Fund and restricted funding from, for example, Hampshire Children Fund and BBC Children in Need. The core funding from the Community Fund ended in March 2004. Since then, the Project funded its core costs through grants from Test Valley Borough Council, the Drug Action Team and Lloyds TSB.

4.6 The organisation's Business Plan has forecasted a shortfall of income for the last quarter of the year. The costs for the project manager are not covered from 1 December 2004 onwards and lack of funding would mean the carers clubs and other core activities would cease.

4.7 A strategy for young carers is being developed which will be available for consultation in January. This strategy is intended to address funding issues and achieve a transparent and equitable support for the young carers projects across the County. The Social Services Department would not wish to see the activities of the Andover Young Carers Project limited while the above strategy is being devised. Therefore approval is sought for a grant of £6,100 for 2004-05 to the Andover Young Carers Project funded from the Carer's Grant.

5 Recommendations

5.1 That the proposals for the support of Andover Young Carers be approved.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

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.

1. Application for a grant in 2004-05 submitted by the voluntary organisation

NB. The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act