Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works and Skills.

The report provides evidence gathered to date and to consider any other sources of information.

The Panel is requested to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Education, Works and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing evidence gathered to date relating to “Services for Young People” as follows:-

Services for Young People – Headlines

·         Understanding the demographics of the adolescent population across the borough

·         Scoping and mapping the provisions available delivered via the voluntary sector and the local authority

·         Understanding the infrastructure and connections across the provision

·         Understanding how provision was funded

·         Identifying any areas what would benefit from being strengthened

·         There was approximately 65,165 (22.1%) of the total population in the Stockport that were 0-18 year olds and 20,956 (7.1%) of the total population that were 11-16 year olds.

·         Of the 65,165,  0-18 year olds, 31,587 were female and 33,578 were male

·         Information was currently being collated relating to the voluntary sector and the free offer for adolescents

·         Secondary school provision includes sporting activities, dance, drama, musical opportunities, a vast array of additional academic classes including French, Japanese, community and fundraising projects alongside school councils, reading clubs, bake-off club, craft club and a dungeons and dragons club, debating societies and journalism clubs.

·         Other public sector provisions include Stockport Homes, Stockport Youth Justice Service and Stockport Council Funded – Care Leavers Forum, Autism Ambassadors, Stockport Action Youth Speakers (SAYS), Youth Council, Stockport’s Children in Care Council & L!sten.

·         Provisions are funded through short term based bids and long term funding, DfE funding, Household Support Fund, GM Funding & National Lottery.

·         Areas of strength were identified as follows: -

o   Networks were growing, being utilised as a place to share information and identify joint funding opportunities.

o   Relationships across the sector and public services were developing and growing.

o   Young people who attend groups report feeling safe and able to be themselves.

o   There were provisions which were inclusive to young people with additional needs and specific protected characteristics.

o   L!sten, Stockport's Youth Alliance was developing and provided a space for young people to share their experiences and understand their needs.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There needed to be some distinguishing difference between the outreach and detached services for young people so it was clear. In response it was noted that outreach youth work aimed to engage with young people in the local community with youth workers informing young people of services that exist in their area and encouraging them to use the services and engage in centre-based activities. Detached youth work involved the engagement with young people who did not access building-based youth provision with engagement taking place in young people's own environment, which was generally on the street or other public spaces.

·         The aim was to empower young people to have positive voices in their communities and informally educate them through young person led activities.

·         Clarification was sought as to whether or not ‘private’ youth provisions were taken into account. In response, it was stated that ‘private’ youth provisions were taken into account and the data would be included in the scope.

·         Members were impressed with the youth services mapping and the improvements to accessibility, but there was scope for a wider strategy to communicate more effectively the services to residents.

·         It was suggested that an ‘open maps plug-in’ could be look into including any existing technology currently used for car parks and bins.

·         It was noted that a ‘digital interface’ approach was already being explored.

·         It was recommended that an ‘overarching approach’ be strengthened going forward to improve access for all young people.

·         The meeting were informed of the new statutory guidance for LA Youth Provisions and that a briefing paper would be prepared and submitted to the next scrutiny review meeting.

·         Clarification was sought regarding whether there was any risks to funding or to replace any funding streams. In response, it was noted that Government funding to LAs  take place each year and would only be known year on year if it were to continue.

Members thanked the officer team for the presentation and for the data.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Director of Education, Works and Skills be requested to submit the following information to the next Scrutiny Review: -

·         Details relating to youth participation across the borough.

·         How the Scrutiny Review could hear and consider the voices of young people and identifying their own needs.

(3) That the following suggestions be considered as part of the review’s recommendations: -

·         An ‘open maps plug-in’ be explored for a wider digital interface including any existing technology currently used for car parks and bins.

·         A wider strategy be developed to improve communication to residents relating to service provision.