To update Members on the performance of the Youth Service within the context of Every Child Matters (ECM) framework and inform of national changes in youth work particularly the increased emphasis on Targeted Youth Support (TYS) for vulnerable young people and new legislation on the provision of Positive Activities.

The Committee received an update on the performance of the Youth Service within the context of Every Child Matters (ECM) framework and informed of national changes in youth work particularly the increased emphasis on Targeted Youth Support for vulnerable young people and new legislation on the provision of Positive Activities.

The Community Youth Service Manager reported upon: the contribution made by the Service to the Positive Contribution Outcome area within the Every Child Matters (ECM) Outcome framework; the four key performance indicators set by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and additional indicators set by Ofsted; partnership working; work undertaken in the six geographical areas; budgets, including staff and building costs, and the effect of staff vacancies on the service. Details of these issues were set out in the agenda report. 

He also reported that the government, as part of the ECM agenda for teenagers, had announced two new policy initiatives: Targeted Youth Support (TYS) (detailed further in appendix 1 to the report) and Positive Activities – Aiming High a ten year strategy, that directly affected the work of youth services as well as other service providers. These initiatives were part of the wider integration agenda for all children’s services which is more broadly termed Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS) and aimed to increase the co-ordination of all youth support activities to enable agencies to work together better, reduce duplication and avoid gaps in provision.  Details of these initiatives were also set out in the report.

The Committee noted the need to move away from the ‘leisure provider for young people’ towards the governments target driven service.

Questioned on staff vacancy rates the Committee were informed that performance had been effected by the high turnover rate of staff leaving the Services together with resultant budget expenditure for advertising vacancies.  Action to address this was contained in the Services Plan 2007-8, (appended to the agenda report) however, it was reported that pay rates in the Service were low compared to other authorities.

The Director of Children’s Services reported that there was no new money to support the changes in the Service and therefore a refocusing of the Service was needed.  She acknowledged that some elements of funding were available via Extended Schools funding, which had been delegated to schools. While a co-ordinator had been appointed to advise schools in the effective use of the funding this had met with varying degrees of success.   The Schools Forum are to consider clawing back the funding to use centrally.

The Committee noted comments that a lack of resources in Youth Services may only move problems into other areas e.g. youth crime and vandalism.

RESOLVED That

a)            the report be noted and in view of the additional pressures on the Service the Executive be requested as a matter of urgency to review the level of funding to the Youth Service; and

b)           a further report be brought to a future Committee updating on how the Youth Service planed to respond to the changes and government initiatives.