The Strategic Director, Place will submit Document “C” which gives an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford East Area in the past 12 months and outlines the direction of travel for the next 12 months.

Recommended-

That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford East Area, as detailed in Document “C be welcomed.

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                                        (Norrina Rashid – 01274 431066)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted Document “C” which gave an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford East Area in the past 12 months and outlined the direction of travel for the next 12 months.

At the commencement of this item, the Committee heard representations from several young Covid ambassadors (YCAs) from Bradford East explaining the work that they were doing in the area, including:

·         Working alongside youth workers

·         Undertaking garden gate visits to vulnerable young people

·         Running a data analysis group to collate information and identify key priorities for action to safeguard young people

·         Establishing innovative ways to communicate, including a booklet which has proved so successful a second print run has been required, TikTok and video presentations

·         Translating for young people from communities new to English

·         Releasing a regular newsletter

A member asked if a YCA was operating in the Bowling and Barkerend ward and was assured that one of the young people present at the meeting worked in that ward.

Members thanked the YCAs for the tremendous work they were undertaking in the Bradford East area and asked how it was proving helpful. They were advised that it had proved extremely helpful in contacting families who were unaware of Covid advice or where to go to access it. YCAs were also very successful at contacting young people in Covid hotspots to encourage positive behaviours. Many young people who had previously been Covid sceptic were now volunteering themselves. A vaccine project was now being considered to encourage take up when young people became eligible.

In response to a question about the work of the YCAs going forward, it was explained that they wanted to lead on issues around Covid recovery such as isolation and intergenerational projects to address that. Another key issue for the future would be education. Key issues were reviewed every few weeks as priorities changed and developed.

The Chair asked the YCAs what they felt they gained from their role and was advised that it had helped the young people with confidence, involvement in their community; the ability to speak to groups, especially those involving other generations; a feeling of well-being and the knowledge that they had helped other young people during the pandemic.

Following that presentation, Members turned to the report and received a detailed presentation in respect of it. They were advised that it had been a challenging year for the youth service with many services having to move on-line as a result of lockdown. Measures to help young people cope during that time included:

·         On-line sessions and small group work when regulations permitted.

·         Activity packs for cooking and gardening

·         Addressing worries about study/work/physical activity with tailored sessions

·         Specific processes to check in with vulnerable young people such as garden gate checks, walk and talk sessions and on-line contact

·         A transition process for those young people moving up to high school which supported youngsters right up to October half term

The work of the Youth in Mind project was also explained, with Members learning that it had run from 1 April to 30 December 2020 and had taken 201referrals with almost 5000 interventions. The project had created safe space for young people in Bradford East in which they would be contacted within 48 hours of referral. Referrals had recently started to include working with hospitals to contact young people who were of concern to them.

Work had also taken place in local schools, including Hanson, to support young people whose low emotional wellbeing was preventing them from joining in school life.

Members asked for details of the budget for the service and were advised that this would be provided.

In response to a question about spreading the work of the service across the whole Bradford East area, Members were advised that it had been challenging as staff had been away from work suffering from Covid but that there had been a spread of work across the whole area.

A Member queried how the service was encouraging young people’s involvement in community and democracy and asked how the partnership groups were chosen. In response, he was advised that partnerships evolved through networking and contacts. The Chair asked that details of local partnerships be circulated to all Members and that details of lead youth workers also be circulated.

The Chair concluded the discussion by asking what had been learned during the past year; how that learning would be implemented and what Councillors could do to help young people ?

She was advised that the main point of learning had been how well the engagement of young peole had gone and that, going forward, very opportunity should be taken to involve them in all issues as they were an important part of the community. As such, they should not be considered separately from other community issues. Another point of learning had been the need to prioritise care for the staff within Youth Services.

Resolved-

(1)  That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford East Area, as detailed in Document “C be welcomed.

(2)  That information in respect of the Youth Service budget, local ward based partnerships and youth worker staff details be circulated to the Committee.

(3)  That the Young Covid Ambassadors in Bradford East be thanked for their innovative and valuable contribution to the work being done in response to the Covid pandemic.

Action: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children’s Services