Archived decisions

Name of LSP

Eastleigh Strategic Partnership

Contact Name

Amanda Adams, Eastleigh Healthy Living Network

Amount Requested

£10000.00

Summary of Bid

(Details of proposed activity the money will be spent on)

The Eastleigh Healthy Living Network is seeking funding for the continuation of the Eastleigh Youth Counselling Scheme (EYCS) which has been running as a pilot since 2003. The scheme was originally established in response to a need for counselling provision for Young People aged between 13 - 25, identified by local young people's agencies working within the LINCS Teenage Drop-in Centre in Eastleigh.

Currently there is limited provision for mental health services generally within the Borough, and particularly for young people. The Eastleigh Youth Counselling Scheme is proving successful in bridging this gap in service provision. Since it was established the service has formed working relationships with the local Child and Family Guidance Service, Connexions, GP's Brookvale(Southampton Mental Health Service for 16-18 year olds), and local secondary schools.

The EYCS uses volunteer counsellors (in their final year of training) from a local college, allowing the students to complete the teaching hours needed to qualify, and therefore increase their chances of future paid employment. In accordance with the British Association of Counselling Practitioners (BACP) ethical framework for good practise in counselling and psychotherapy, a qualified Counselling Supervisor is employed to provide clinical supervision, and oversee the volunteer counsellor's work. The main cost of the scheme relates to paid clinical Supervisor time.

To date, the scheme has seen in excess of 50 young people presenting with a range of issues/problems relating to:-

· Relationships

· Family

· Sexual issues

· Drugs and Alcohol Misuse

· Pregnancy

· Health issues

Demand for the scheme is high and there is currently a 12 week waiting list.

Due to the client group and the nature of the project it is important that continuity of the service is maintained. The pilot period is due to end in July 2005 and the HLN is seeking funding to support the project in the short term whilst options for long term sustainability are explored.

Timescale

(anticipated period over which the money will be spent)

July 2005 - August 2006

How does this bid support the targets within the Community Strategy?

The EYCS is delivering on a number of actions identified on the Health & Well being & Community Safety Chapters of the ESP Action Plan detailed below:-

Health & Wellbeing

· Improving access to health care services

- Points 3 and 4

· Reducing the major causes of prem death & disability

- Points 1 and 2

· Improving life chances for those suffering poorer health

- Points 1 and 4

· Ensuring agencies work together to provide better services for the young and vulnerable

- Points 3 and 4

· Reducing ill health caused by drug & alcohol misuse

- Points 1,2 and 3

Community Safety

· Helping young people keep out of crime

- Point 3

· Reducing the effect of illegal drugs

- Point 3

Overall funding arrangements

(please specify total cost of project and the amounts contributed from other partners)

The EYCS was originally initiated with a small amount of youth service underspend

£10,000.00 per annum to include dedicated time for drugs and alcohol counselling and reducing the waiting time.

Contributions from Youth Service and Connexions underspend.

In kind HLN Co-ordinator time to manage project, to manage the scheme- week to week management varies from 4hrs to 8hrs equating to £2-4K

Volunteer Counsellor time- this is provided free but is at the level provided by GP surgeries which specify 5 sessions per client for which the counsellor will be paid in the order of £20-25 per session

Accommodation costs- not been possible to quantify although the sessions require private secure space

Signed

(by Chair of LSP or on behalf of)

Vince Johnston on Behalf of Keith House Chair of ESP

Date 16 August 2005

Amount Agreed

Signed

(By HCC authority)

Date