The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report, Document “F” which provides an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Keighley constituency in the past 12 months 2022/23.

Recommended

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

2.    That the Keighley Area Coordinator and Advanced Practitioner be requested to explore how Councillors could hear the voices of young people more effectively, both as an Area Committee and as Ward Councillors.

3.    That the Advanced Practitioner be requested to invite the Keighley Youth Offer Group to present a report outlining the youth voice developmental framework and their current priorities for young people.

4.    That the Advanced Practitioner be requested to organise training for Councillors around youth voice and influence and then invite councillors to meet annually with young people to assess the impact and outcomes of this work.

5.    That the Keighley Area Coordinator and Advanced Practitioner be requested to involve young people in the discussion of grant funding that is administered by the Area Co-ordinator’s Office and is allocated to activities intended for the benefit of young people, for example, Community Chest grants.

(Abina Dorgan – 01535 618191)

The Strategic Director, Place, presented a report, Document “F” which provided an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Keighley constituency in the past 12 months 2022/23.

The report provided an overview of activities throughout the six wards in the town.  Work to prevent anti-social behaviour during the bonfire period was reported which had begun in summer and would carry on until after the event. 

Members were advised that the Youth Service worked with all people who were working with young people in the area.  Some people were referred through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), or schools and needed additional support. The service looked holistically at ways to support young people and to balance the complexity of need. Officers also looked at creative methods to engage with young people. It was explained that work with schools had evolved and good relationships had been built and enabled work to be conducted as a team across the district.

Following detailed discussions and the presentation by young people of the work that had been delivered and activities and sessions they had attended a Member questioned what work had been undertaken to promote healthy living and to provide work experience opportunities. 

The Advanced Practitioner reported the work of the Keighley Vibe Hub and that she had been working in close partnership with DWP, Bradford and Keighley Colleges, local business, and other specialised partners to deliver employment and training opportunities in an accessible way to enable successful outcomes. Additional work was planned later in the year to bring businesses and young people together and any help that Members could provide would be welcomed. The Vibe worked with young adults with complex issues which were preventing them getting into work or training.  Their issues could be mental health, disabilities or lack of confidence and they were all provided with a bespoke service to help them meet their aspirations.  Bradford College and the Cellar Trust were also involved. 

With regard to healthy living it was reported that much work was conducted around sports and youth workers had constant conversations with young people around body image.  A tutor from Bradford College worked with the service for two days per week to skill up and provide information to young people.  Work was also conducted with the department of Public Health.  Details of a Healthy Eating Fair had been presented to Members earlier in the meeting and it was confirmed that people from the Keighley Vibe Hub had also attended that event.

The way referrals were made from CAMHS was questioned and Members were advised that these were increasing.  The service worked with schools to meet with the young people and to develop peer support.  It was a constant challenge but they worked with all parties involved in health and wellbeing across the Keighley area to refer people between the bodies and work in a complementary manner. 

A Member questioned if the activities and groups were constituency wide or limited to Keighley.  In response it was explained that trips and residential activities were often attended by people from across the district but young people were less likely to travel to actual clubs away from their own area.  It was acknowledged that there was a level of need in both Keighley and Ilkley. 

Feedback from the service users was requested and Members were keen to understand, issues outlined in the report, such as what had made them feel unsafe and how that had been addressed.  It was requested that feedback from Bradford 25 be provided. How young people had accessed the Youth Service was also queried.  Work conducted with two schools in the area was reported and it was agreed to provide additional information, including what was provided with other agencies when that was available.

Staffing arrangements were questioned and it was explained that there was difficulty in recruiting qualified youth workers.  The Advanced Practitioner was proud that apprenticeships had been developed and had resulted in the development and recruitment of one of the workers at the session provided earlier in the evening.  It was acknowledged that a good workforce strategy was required.

Members questioned what happened to young people at age 24 who needed more support.  It was acknowledged that working with transitional ages required a bigger strategic perspective.  Young people were encouraged to take on rolls to contribute to the service.  People did return to the service and any young people were welcomed.   

The Youth Service staff and young people were congratulated on the presentation they had provided.  Members believed that it was testament to the hard work undertaken and were pleased to see the young people supporting each other.  They offered to provide any help they could to support the young people and the Youth Service.

Resolved –

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

2.    That the Keighley Area Coordinator and Advanced Practitioner be requested to explore how Councillors could hear the voices of young people more effectively, both as an Area Committee and as Ward Councillors.

3.    That the Advanced Practitioner be requested to invite the Keighley Youth Offer Group to present a report outlining the youth voice developmental framework and their current priorities for young people.

4.    That the Advanced Practitioner be requested to organise training for Councillors around youth voice and influence and then invite councillors to meet annually with young people to assess the impact and outcomes of this work.

5.    That the Keighley Area Coordinator and Advanced Practitioner be requested to involve young people in the discussion of grant funding that is administered by the Area Co-ordinator’s Office and is allocated to activities intended for the benefit of young people, for example, Community Chest grants.

To be actioned by Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny area Children’s Services