The Strategic Director Place will submit  a report (Document “L”) which informs the Area Committee of the progress made in relation to the establishment of the new Youth Offer across the Bradford District and the contribution of the Youth Service to delivering the 5 Key Elements in the Keighley Area. 

Recommended –

(1)       Keighley Area Committee notes the achievements of the Youth Offer   Working Group, and the Youth Sector as a whole, as            outlined in the Action Plan (Appendix A to Document “L”) and     receives a further update in respect of this work in 12 months    time.

(2)       Keighley Area Committee considers and comments on the shared        direction of travel and of the continued commitment from the            Youth Sector to work together, and to do things differently.

(3)       Keighley Area Committee notes the work already undertaken     around Youth Voice and commits to formalising Youth Voice     arrangements in respect of the Keighley Area Committee             work plan for 2017-18.

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Jonathan Hayes - 01535 618008)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “L”) which informed the Members of the progress made in relation to the establishment of the new Youth Offer across the Bradford District and the contribution of the Youth Service to delivering the five Key Elements in the Keighley Area. 

The District’s Youth Commissioner and a number of young people who accessed the Youth Service addressed the meeting.  The service users explained their various involvements with the service; qualifications, experience and confidence which they had gained and volunteer roles they had undertaken.

The Youth Commissioner explained the local authorities’ obligation to support the National Citizenship Programme.  It was confirmed that during summer 2017 over eleven hundred young people had taken part in that programme, nine per centre of which were from the Keighley area.  Seventeen per cent of participants were those eligible for free school meals and a fairly even balance of gender was recorded.  It was felt that those statistics demonstrated that the service were reaching vulnerable young people.  The schools participating in the programme in the Keighley constituency were Ilkley Grammar; Holy Family and University Academy Keighley.

Following a detailed presentation Members acknowledged the work being done by the service to support young people in the district. 

Document “K” reported that young people had been engaged in the consultations about developing the youth app, with over ten young people from Keighley attending an event at Margaret McMillan Tower to help with its design.   Progress on the launch of the App was queried and it was explained that a number of issues around data access/protection had arisen; further consultation had been required but it was hoped that the launch would be imminent.  Once launched young people would be encouraged to download the App which would support the Information Advice work currently being carried out.  It was acknowledged that as service provision declined the App could prove essential for young people accessing information. 

A Member who had experienced the National Citizenship Programme through a family member commended the work done by the Youth Service to deliver that scheme.  He was, however, concerned that on two occasions when parents were asked to become involved, including the awards ceremony; the events had taken place throughout the day when many parents were unable to attend. 

Information regarding the work done between the Youth Service and the Safeguarding Children’s Board was requested.  In response it was explained that the Board had funded the development of the Youth Service App.  They also had a broader interest in how young people used their voices and how they were kept safe. 

The method with which young people who did not have smart phone technology could access information and advice was questioned.  In response  it was explained that youth workers would share information with young people. 

The implications of the closure of the Connexions Centre located in Keighley Town Hall and the nature in which young people would access information about employment previously provided at that centre was queried.  In response it was explained that alternative methods of information support were detailed in Document “L” and that the NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) Service would address employment issues. Additional Apps would be developed to help young people secure employment.  It was also explained that the Youth Service were keen to develop an apprenticeship opportunities.

Resolved –

(1)          That the achievements of the Youth Offer Working Group, and the Youth Sector as a whole, as outlined in the Action Plan (Appendix A to Document “L”) be noted and the Strategic Director, Place, be requested to provide a further update in respect of this work in 12 months time be provided.

(2)          That the work already undertaken around Youth Voice and commits to formalising Youth Voice arrangements in respect of the KeighleyArea Committee work plan for 2017-18 be noted.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)