Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1 This report seeks the approval of the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) for grant applications for 2009/10, totalling £148,093. It also shows the total allocation of grants of under £5,000 for information.

1.2 It provides information about the work of the organisations who applied to the Children's Services Integrated Grant.

1.3 Grants to organisations listed in this report will enable them to continue with, or expand, their services and undertake projects which contribute towards the first two priorities of Hampshire County Council (Making Hampshire safer and secure for all, Maximising well-being), towards the outcomes of the Hampshire Children and Young People Plan (CYPP) and towards all the five outcomes of Every Child Matters.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. The report provides information about the work of voluntary organisations who have applied to the Children's Services Integrated Grant and seeks grant approvals.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

3.1. The Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) approves the grant applications totalling £148,093 to organisations within Hampshire.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report:

1.1 Grants to organisations support Hampshire County Council's priority of "Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" by funding organisations that provide positive activities for children and young people. They also support the priority of "Maximising well-being" by funding organisations which deliver services to children and young people, or are run by children and young people. In addition, the grant programme contributes towards the Every Child Matters outcomes by encouraging young people to stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being and thereby to the outcomes in the CYPP.

2) Contextual Information:

2.1. This is the first year that the new integrated approach to grant and other funding has been employed to provide a more transparent, accessible and coherent approach across this area. The major proportion of the available funding is devolved to District based Children and Young People's Groups, where these exist, or to the Local Partnership Groups who previously allocated Children's Fund project funding. This allows for local accountability, enhances local gap analyses, and allows local people a direct route to be involved in the decision making process. The recommendations from the local groups are then scrutinised by the county multi-agency panel prior to their inclusion in this decision paper.

2.2. Applications must meet strict eligibility criteria which ensure that the funding is aligned with Every Child Matters and the Children and Young Peoples Plan 2009-2012 (CYPP) and the Local Area Agreement (LAA) priority improvement areas. All applications use a common process and are supported where necessary by Commissioning and Co-ordination Unit (CCU) officers. All project applications of £5,000 or above must be approved by the Executive Member.

2.3. In response to concerns raised by the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), stakeholders and partners, a great deal of work has been undertaken in the periods leading up to the allocation of recommended funding publicising the new format for grants. Following advertisement on the intranet, and on several sites used by the Children's Voluntary Sector Alliance, the range of applications has been broadened considerably, and many organisations have applied for the first time.

2.4. The remainder of funding, which supports either county-wide initiatives, or other funding not previously included in the District allocations has been recommended by a multi-agency scrutiny panel working to identical guidelines and eligibility criteria to the main grant amount. The Panel sought feedback about applications from stakeholders in all cases where projects were already operational and views were fed into the decision making process via a scoring matrix. Additionally all projects complete an annual self assessment, including a red, amber or green (RAG) rating, and those receiving more than £20,000 also received a visit and RAG rating from a CCU Officer. It is hoped that all projects will receive a visit in 2009/10 .

2.5. For the first time, the CCU has been enabled to allocate funding of preventative monies from stakeholder partners in the county such as Hampshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), thus increasing the impact and reach of preventative grant funding.

2.6. Additionally this report seeks approval for grant allocations from the former Children and Families grant programme, which followed the new integrated application route, using the same application form.

3) Key Issues:

3.1. Grant recommendations of £5,000 and above are presented for approval, with 2008/09 actual funding agreements listed for comparison.

4) Grant Applications

Name of organisation	Paragraph	2008/09 funding £	2009/10 funding £
County Wide:
British Red Cross	4.1	4700	9800
Step by Step Partnership	4.2	8000	6000
Hampshire Scouts	4.3	8000	9000
District allocations:
Soco Music	4.3	0	8600
Basingstoke Play LTD	4.4	19000	20000
Basingstoke Voluntary Service	4.5	0	12500
Solent Youth Action Group	4.6	0	8000
Hiltingbury Youth Centre	4.7	0	6000
One Community Young Carers	4.8	0	13968
The King's Arms Youth Project	4.9	5000	10000
Off The Record*	4.10	14975	14975
Community First New Forest	4.11	0	10000
Forest Bus *	4.12	14000	14000
Winnall Rock School	4.13	10000	5250
		Total	148,093

* Children & Families grant programme

County Wide Services:

The following projects (paragraphs 4.1 to 4.3) provide services that cover more than one of Hampshire's Districts.

4.1 British Red Cross - Project Advantage ABC

The six month pilot project previously funded has worked with a team of 40 young people aged between 14-19 years old in Hampshire, all of whom are trained as peer educators and delivered a HIV and sexual health awareness project over a period of six months reaching over 600 young people in schools. Taking the project forward the programme will reach a wider Hampshire audience encompassing vulnerable groups of young people in particular youth settings. A grant award would pay for a Project Coordinator for one day a week, expenses of volunteers and young people running the project and resources for sessions for the year.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA3 ( Through a range of preventative services reduce the number of teenage pregnancies) LAA5 (Improve the life chances of 16-19 year olds at risk of under achievement) CYP 7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk) CYP 1 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people) CYP 8 (Celebrate diversity, remove barriers to participation and insist upon zero tolerance of discrimination and abuse)

A grant of £ 9800 is recommended.

4.2 Step by Step Partnership - Life, Love and Happiness

A participative course of one session per week over three terms, addressing relationships and their consequences, majoring on sexual health education and associated coping strategies aimed at the avoidance of unwanted pregnancies, raised self esteem and improve. A grant would support salaries of skilled project staff, materials and resources, rent, cleaning management and admin costs

The main priorities of this project are: LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health) LAA3 ( Through a range of preventative services reduce the number of teenage pregnancies) LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) CYP1 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people) CYP3 (Reduce the impact of poverty on the achievement and life chances of children and young people) CYP4 (Ensure that children and young people area safe and feel secure)

A grant of £6000 is recommended.

4.3 Hampshire Scouts

Hampshire Scouts continue to offer a full activity programme across the county. The aim is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. Funding would support a variety of initiatives including a decision making programme and county based training opportunities for young people aged 14-18.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA5 (Improve the life chances of 16-19 year olds at risk of under achievement) LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the vulnerable children and young people) LAA7 (Safeguarding children) CYP7 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people) CYP1 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people) CYP6 (Increase opportunities and improve outcomes for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

A grant of £9000 is recommended.

District Allocations:

Basingstoke:

4.4 Soco Music - MY Music @Junction 6

Music leaders will work alongside youth workers with the under utilised music studio at Junction 6 Youth Centre in Basingstoke and deliver music based supported activities for young people. In consultation with Junction 6 a year long programme has been developed which will benefit approximately 200 young people. Sessions will be open access and offer the young people the opportunity to gain a Bronze Arts Award as part of the tailored programme. A grant would pay for sessional fees of two music leaders to provide one years worth of weekly music activities.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health) LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA9 (Reduce the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system) CYP3 (Reduce the impact of poverty on the achievement and life chances of children and young people) CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk) CYP8 (Celebrate diversity, remove barriers to participation and insist upon zero tolerance of discrimination and abuse)

A grant of £8600 is recommended.

4.5 Basingstoke Play Limited - Special Needs Provision

The project will provide three holiday play schemes for disabled children, aged 5 to 15 years for 6 hours a day, who have severe disabilities that means access to mainstream provision is difficult. Funding will contribute towards the £37,452 cost to run the schemes which includes staffing (£30k), nurse on site (£3k), rent (£2k), equipment and materials (£1k) and administration and management costs (£1k).

The main priorities of this project are: LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA6 (Improve services in our care and on the edge of care including placement, stability and choice)), LAA2 (Through a range of preventative services reduce childhood obesity), CYP6 (Increase opportunities and improve outcomes for children and young people with learning difficulties and / or disabilities), CYP1 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people), CYP9 (Support work in partnership with parents and carers)

A grant of £20000 is recommended.

4.6 Basingstoke Voluntary Services - Young Carers project

The project will offer a support service for young carers and their families including a support phone line, information, stage an event and work in partnership with The Children's Society to develop and promote multi agency, support and referral of young carers. The requested grant amount will contribute to general costs including staffing and rent.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health) LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA7 (Safeguarding children) CYP 1 CYP9 (Support work in partnership with parents and carers) CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk)

A grant of £12500 recommended.

Eastleigh:

4.7 Solent Youth Action Group - Js Supported Youth Club

J's project is a "supported" youth club aimed at disabled young people, those with poor health, those who are at risk of becoming disengaged, isolated or marginalised. Funding would contribute towards wage costs, recruiting and supporting young volunteers, room/vehicle hire.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people), LAA5 (Improve the life chances of 16-19 year olds at risk of under achievement), LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health), CYP6 (Increase opportunities and improve outcomes for children and young people with learning difficulties and / or disabilities), CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk), CYP9 (Support work in partnership with parents and carers)

A grant of £8000 is recommended.

4.8 Hiltingbury Community Centre Youth Activities

The Youth Floor is a safe, motivating and caring environment for young people where activities are provided by HCC Youth Service. The funding will pay for the operational costs of the Youth Centre.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people), LAA3 ( Through a range of preventative services reduce the number of teenage pregnancies) LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health), CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk), CYP4 (Ensure that children and young people area safe and feel secure), CYP1 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people).

A grant of £6000 is recommended.

4.9 One Community -Young Carers project

The project provides respite, advice, one to one mentoring, advocacy, short residentials and practical help to young carers. The grant amount requested will help to expand current meeting hours with staffing costs (£12k), rent (£1k), administration (£1k) and equipment (£3k).

The main priorities of this project are: LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health),LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people), LAA8 (Educational attainment), CYP4 (Ensure that children and young people area safe and feel secure), CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk), CYP8 (Celebrate diversity, remove barriers to participation and insist upon zero tolerance of discrimination and abuse)

A grant of £13968 is recommended.

East Hampshire:

4.10 The King's Arms Youth Project

The Kings Arms Youth Project is an existing service to young people in the Petersfield area, providing young people with opportunities throughout the week in the evenings, Monday to Saturday. The funding will enable the Chief Executive Officer, the two Joint Centre Managers and two Youth Workers Assistants to provide 20 hours of youth work per week in the evenings at an average cost of £12.70 per hour.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA7 (Safeguarding children) LAA9 (Reduce the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system) CYP4 (Ensure that children and young people area safe and feel secure) CYP6 (Increase opportunities and improve outcomes for children and young people with learning difficulties and / or disabilities) CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk)

A grant of £10000 is recommended.

Havant:

4.11 Off The Record - New volunteer recruitment strategy

The project will support recruitment of new volunteers for established counselling service for young people in the Havant area. The grant requested will fund planning, advertising, selecting, training, monitoring, evaluating and supervising all new volunteers. This programme

The main priorities of this project are: LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health) LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA7 (Safeguarding children) CYP1 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people) CYP4 (Ensure that children and young people area safe and feel secure) CYP8 (Celebrate diversity, remove barriers to participation and insist upon zero tolerance of discrimination and abuse).

A grant of £14975 is recommended (Children & Families grant)

New Forest:

4.12 Community First New Forest - Young Carers

Community First project offers a support service to young carers in the New Forest area, providing advice and activities ensuring less social isolation. The grant requested will fund the coordinator's additional hours, provision of sessional support workers for groups and activities, ongoing admin and running costs of the phone befriending group, CRB checks and volunteer training and recruitment.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health) LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA7 (Safeguarding children) CYP 1 CYP9 (Support work in partnership with parents and carers) CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk)

A grant of £10000 is recommended.

4.13 Forest Bus

Forest Bus aims to provide play and learning opportunities to children and young people who live in areas disadvantaged by rural and urban isolation which are disadvantaged by a lack of amenities, transport and inadequate housing. They work particularly with traveller's families to deliver a range of activities to young people who are unable to access services due to their ethnicity, their financial means or social isolation. This funding will be spent on staffing costs, premises, administration including consumables and equipment.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chance of the most vulnerable children and young people and the majority of Hampshire CYP), LAA5 (Improve the life chances of 16-19 year olds at risk of under achievement), LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health), CYPP3 (Reduce the impact of poverty on the achievement and life chances of children and young people), CYPP8 (Celebrate diversity, remove barriers to participation and insist upon zero tolerance of discrimination and abuse) and CYPP1 (Improve the well-being and health of all children and young people).

A grant of £14000 is recommended (Children & Families grant)

Winchester:

4.14 Winnall Rock School

Winnall Rock School is an unincorporated association with charitable/not for profit aims. It delivers free music lessons to young people aged 10 - 18, who live in the neighbourhoods of Winchester where there is evidence of social deprivation and exclusion - Winnall, Stanmore, Highcliffe and Weeke. It does this in a safe and friendly environment. Priority is given to members from families with low incomes or those referred by Children's Services. The music lessons are led by a professional musician who is supported by a team of skilled/trained volunteer musicians and parent volunteers. Additional targeted activities are also programmed, such as outreach to rural communities and summer or holiday workshops for young people in care, or Pupil Referral Units. Tuition is offered in guitar, drumming, keyboard and singing/songwriting. Funding will pay for administration and coordination, room hire and fees for the professional music leaders which will include some one off visits by specialists to improve specific skills. Will also fund training for staff and volunteers.

The main priorities of this project are: LAA1 (Through a range of preventative services improve mental and emotional health) LAA4 (Close the gap between the achievements and life chances of the most vulnerable children and young people) LAA8 (Educational attainment) CYP2 (Provide an excellent education for all children and young people) CYP3 (Reduce the impact of poverty on the achievement and life chances of children and young people) CYP7 (Provide positive activities for children and young people that keep them on the path of success and reduces behaviour that puts them at risk)

A grant of £5250 is recommended

5) Financial Implications:

5.1. The Commissioing and Co-ordination Unit currently administers grant and other funding requests in respect of approximately £2.0m of the Children's Services budget. This includes aspects of the former Children's Fund (now part of the Area Based Grant (ABG)), Early Education and Childcare Unit (EECU) budget, as well as various other Children's Services funding streams including an element of the former Connexions grant (also part of ABG from 2009/10), Youth Service and Education (non-schools) related budgets. The table below provides a breakdown of the current allocations against this overall budget for 2009/10.

6) Conclusions:

6.1. Ongoing work with the organisations listed in this report indicates that the services provided by them seek to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. They also significantly contribute to the Children and Young People's Plan. As such, this report requests the approval of the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) for funding.

7) Recommendations:

7.1. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) approves the grant applications totalling £148,093 to organisations to support young people within Hampshire.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: