Archived decisions

Contact: Ray Barnard, Youth Service Manager, Tel: 01962 846424,

email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report summarises the progress and achievements of Hampshire County Youth Service (HCYS) in relation to nationally set targets for local authority youth services and progress on meeting the targets contained in the Transforming Youth Work Development Plan (TYWDFP) for 2005/06.

1.2 This report introduces the published annual report of the service and briefly highlights examples of good youth work practice from around the county. The full annual report is in the form of a six page magazine, similar to that of last year, and reports are being produced in the same format for each district.

The work of HCYS highlighted in the annual report shows the service's contributes to the 5 outcomes referred to in Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004 -

1. Being healthy. 2. Staying safe. 3. Enjoying and achieving. 4.Making a positive contribution. 5. Achieving economic well being

2 Measuring Performance

2.1 For the year ending 31 March 2006, HCYS have measured the performance of the service against each of the four key national performance indicators. Robust data collection systems have been in place throughout the year.

2.2 The level of `reach' of HCYS into the resident 13-19 population for 2005/06 was 29% against the national benchmark of 25%. This is an increase of 4% on 04/05.

2.3 The level of active participation of the 13-19 population in HCYS managed youth work for 2005/06 was 19% against the national benchmark of 15%. This is an increase of 2% on 04/05.

2.4 The level of young people with recorded outcomes from their involvement with HCYS in 2005/06, is 17% of the young people reached, against a national benchmark of 6%. The HCYS system for collating recorded outcomes was not fully implemented last year and therefore, no direct comparison with this year is possible.

2.5 The level of young people with accredited outcomes from their involvement with the service in 2005/06 is 4.5%, this exceeds the national benchmark of 3%. The HCYS system for collating accredited outcomes was not fully implemented last year and therefore, no direct comparison with this year is possible.

2.6 Given the level of actual resourcing against the level aspired to in the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) document Resourcing Excellent Youth Services, the performance of the service against all national benchmarks continues to exceed expectations.

3 Transforming Youth Work Fund Implementation Plan 2005/06

3.1 Appendix 1 of this report shows the targets set out in the Transforming Youth Work Development Plan (TYWDFP) for 2005/06 and indicates progress and achievements during the year.

3.2 Good progress has been achieved against most targets. Particularly significant developments relating to the targets include:

· The development, launch and implementation of the service's quality assurance policy and revised procedures.

· Improved working relationship with the voluntary sector through Hampshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services.

· The increased engagement of a wide-range of young people with the Hampshire County Youth Council.

· Improved support for young people with special needs and disabilities.

4 Hampshire County Youth Service Annual Report 2005/06

4.1 The printed version of this year's annual report is due to be published in time to be distributed at the June meeting of the Youth Panel. The report highlights examples of good youth work practice from across the county. It also contains facts and figures about the service including:

· Total annual attendance of young people aged 11 -25 at the 176 HCYS units across the county was 155,796 an increase of 10% on last year. The total attendance of young people aged 13 - 19 was 127,290 an increase of 13%.

· The majority of youth service units operate in association with other services and agencies.

· Funding raised from external sources for 2005/06 was £1.1million

· Grant aid to the voluntary sector for 2005/06 was £195,600.

4.2 Some examples of good youth work practice included in the Annual Report are:

· The Award project, which links young people who have been referred by Wessex Youth Offending Team to opportunities that can be accredited by The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

· A youth exchange involving young people form the south of Poland and Fareham district, during which the participants looked at citizenship and environmental changes in their respective communities.

· The constructive contribution made by young people from Eastleigh district to the local Community Safety Partnership's Crime Reduction Environment Week.

· The individual stories of three young people describing what they achieved, and how much they enjoyed, their involvement with the youth service.

4.3 The report also highlights the stories individual young people who have benefited in a variety of ways from their contact with the service.

4.4 The annual report refers to the findings of this year's survey of young people using the service. The survey indicates a high level user satisfaction rate of 85%.

4 Legal implications

5.1 None

5 Financial implications

6.1 None

6 Personnel implications

7.1 None

8 Impact assessment

8.1 Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

9 Crime prevention issues

9.1 By diverting young people away from crime, youth work can have a positive impact on reducing crime and the fear of crime.

10 Views of the Local County Councillor

10.1 Not applicable to this report.

11 Recommendations

That the progress of the Hampshire County Youth Service during the year 2005/06 be noted and the Annual Report be welcomed.

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.

None