The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “F”) provides an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Keighley Area in the past 12 months and outlines the direction of travel for the next 12 months. This item was adjourned, without consideration, at the meeting on 20 January 2022. 

Recommended –

That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Keighley Area as detailed in Document “F” be welcomed.

(Jonathan Hayes – 01535 618008)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “F”) provided an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Keighley Area in the past 12 months and outlined the direction of travel for the next 12 months.  The item had been deferred, without consideration, at the meeting on 20 January 2022.

The report provided the following information:

·         An overview of youth provision and a timeline of the Youth Services response to the Covid 19 pandemic.

·         An update on how the Youth Service continues to respond to increased demand and complexity of need.

·         An introduction to the work of the Young Covid Recovery Ambassadors and their role in the community.

·         An update on youth provision ward by ward and key developments.

Appendix A to the report – Keighley Area Youth Service Baseline Provision detailed the current provisions being delivered in Keighley. 

Appendix B - Bradford Youth Service Ward Update provided an overview of ward workand developments.

It was reported that there had been many changes to the provision of youth work and youth workers and young people attended the meeting to talk about projects which had taken place over the previous year.

The report revealed that over the previous 12 months Youth Workers had responded to significant increases in referrals from partner organisations to address domestic abuse; educational anxiety; isolation and self-harm.   The service had focused on meeting demand through Youth Clubs; Peer Support Groups; One to One Support and volunteering.

Other work targeted at young people with specific needs including those vulnerable an at risk was reported.

Details of Buddy Support as part of the Youth in Mind project was also discussed.  In response to questions it was explained that there was often a time delay in young people receiving help once referred to specialist services.  Those young people could talk to the Youth Service more quickly through the Buddy Support initiative and could choose to get more involved if they wished. As a result of the help from the project some young people felt that they no longer needed other interventions. 

Service users and workers reported their own experiences of the service. Skills and opportunities through the Kick Start Programme were reported.  One person reported that he had been able to undertake training courses to enable him to work with young people on a range of sporting activities.

It was reported that the service worked with the Department of Work and Pensions and businesses to provide a Keighley hub to enable young people to work with employment coaches to help them with their first venture into employment.  It was questioned what kind of employment young people were directed to and it was explained that they were supported towards their individual interests.  The service facilitated ways to explore ideas and opportunities. It was acknowledged that children were in school throughout the day but that some needed ways to socialise out of school; speak to different people and from other communities.  Many young people started as volunteers and with the experience they gained went on to gain paid employment.

Details of a planned trip to Coventry in relation to Bradford’s City of Culture 2025 bid were discussed and it was suggested that the Director of Culture be invited to visit the young people in their measures to support the bid. 

A participant who was a youth worker on a Special Inclusion Group held on a Monday evening reported how she had been able to make a difference to young people and to support them through activities such as sport and games.  Her involvement had initially been as an attendee of the group and she had since succeeded in her ambition to secure paid employment because of the experience she had gained.

A video showing the work of COVID ambassadors in involving young people and senior citizens was presented and helped to break the stigma that young people did not interact with the elderly.  It was explained that the COVID Ambassadors were employed in every ward of the Council, undertaking youth work training to support them in their role and they had integrated in to local teams including support for students who were anxious about returning to school.  The Ambassadors engaged with young people to identify local area issues.  The information gathered was shared with Public Health Bradford and had been integral to responding to local issues and supporting the community to recover from the pandemic. An Ambassador reported his own experience and how the scheme had increased his confidence and skill set.

Details of an EU Group working with Eastern Europeans and people new to the country were discussed.  Measures to help people integrate into communities included helping them register for schools; experiencing new activities such as camping; supporting them to develop a curriculum vitae or preparing for interview questions were provided.  A volunteer worker who helped interpret for the group explained measures undertaken to help young people and build trust.  In response to questions it was explained that participants usually found out about the group through word of mouth or social media.   The group was also promoted in schools and through liaison with Early Years staff.

Other young people reported their experiences as youth service attendees who had gone on to volunteer and, following apprentice roles, had undertaken qualifications and achieved employment with the service.

A Member reporting his links to local businesses and Leeds College suggested he would be happy to help young people find employment though his many contacts.  It was acknowledged that young people often found it hard to gain employment if they lacked practical experience. 

A Member questioned what would happen to the Ambassador roles when the funding ceased.  It was reported that they had all benefitted from their involvement and had developed skills and experience.  Some job opportunities did exist but not enough to employ all the Ambassadors whose contracts would cease at the end of March 2022.

Members questioned the biggest challenge the service faced and how they could help make improvements.  It was explained that young people had been involved in shaping services and it was imperative to listen to what they thought about the district and how they could access service.  The Youth Voice and Youth Summit would create a space for young people to identify emerging issues and should invite decision makers to attend.  There had been a very successful Youth Summit held prior to the global pandemic and it was plans were in place for another summit in June 2022.  Young people had conducted research and distributed a questionnaire to collect information to be fed into the June event.

Members thanked the young people for the invitation to their centre and the informative presentation on the work, and their involvement with, the Youth Service in Keighley.   

Resolved –

That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Keighley Area as detailed in Document “F” be welcomed.

Action: Strategic Director, Place