The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AD”) gives an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford West Area in 2018-19.

Recommended –

That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford West Area as detailed in this report be welcomed.

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Nicola Stott – 01274 431323)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AD”) gave an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford West Area in 2018-19.

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator was present, accompanied by Council representatives and with the invitation of the Chair, they jointly gave a synopsis of the report.

It was highlighted that Bradford Council Youth Service was part of the wider Bradford District Youth Offer that aimed to ensure the provision of a range of activities and services that took place in safe spaces, where young people could develop a sense of belonging, socialise with their peers and develop relationships with adults they can trust. It recognised that with the right supportive relationships, strong ambitions and good opportunities, all young people could realise their potential and be positive and active members of society.

A question and answer session ensued:

·         Why was work being undertaken with young people from other areas?

o   It was about focusing more on partnership work and sharing of resources in order to get more young people involved due to the result of decreased resources for each individual 5 areas;

·         How was work addressed in areas outside of West?

o   Staff were allocated to specific areas;

·         As a result of partnership work, had the levels of staff in West decreased?

o   The structure had been agreed with Union but this was a reality of what we had on the ground in terms of staff, the Bradford West staffing base budget was £385,000, 1 x Advanced Practitioner 26-29, 2.5 x Youth Worker 16-19, 3 x Youth Worker 12-15, 3 x Apprentice Youth Workers and up to 110 part time hours (combination of Youth Support Worker and Leaders in Charge contracted and casual from base budget). West area total substantive posts were 9.5.

o   The West area had a great mix of staff to support the structure and building strong links with young people;

·         What was the Youth Service doing in terms of focusing on areas such as young people and skills?

o   Youth Workers were now dealing with caseloads and ensuring that staff were well resourced with additional help for the purpose of supporting areas of skills for young people;

·         Appendix A – there were some schools in the West area that were missing?

o   In relation to the What’s on Guide list, if the Youth Service had previously worked with a particular school then the service was avoiding the duplication of work by working with different schools; and,

·         Due to the lack of detach work, what was being undertaken to build on this factor?

o   The Youth Service was applying different ways of working in order to meet reduced resources by targeting specific areas of work and less universal focus.

The Committee highlighted that detach workers be open to discussions in their areas of work with respective Ward Members when approached.

The Chair concluded the discussion by acknowledging the reduction of resources and that youth work be centred on more specific target areas for the benefit of young people.

Resolved –

(1)       That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford             West   area, as detailed in Document “AD”, be welcomed.

(2)       That Youth Workers meet with Ward Councillors in the Bradford           West area with a view to discussing the operational level of Youth Work within their respective wards.

(3)       That a progress report be presented to the Bradford West Area             Committee in 6 months time.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place