The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “P”) which informs the Area Committee of the progress made in relation to the Youth Offer across the Bradford District and specifically in the Bradford South Area during the past twelve months. 

Recommended –

(1)       Bradford South 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 of this report) and     receives a further update in respect of this work in 12 months’   time.

(2)       Bradford South Area Committee considers and comments on the         shared direction of travel set out in this report and the reshaping           of the             Youth Service to maximise its contribution to making a difference to young people in Bradford South as part of   developing the Youth Offer.

(Overview and Scrutiny Committee Area: Children’s Services)

(Mick Charlton - 01274 431155)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “P”) which informed the Area Committee of the progress made in relation to the Youth Offer across the Bradford District and specifically in the Bradford South Area during the past twelve months.

The Commissioner for Youth Provision was in attendance and was accompanied by young people who had played a pivotal role in contribution of services.

The Commissioner for Youth Provision explained that a Youth Offer Working Group oversaw the implementation of the Youth Offer Action Plan which supported the Council’s budget considerations in relation to Youth Work and its future in the district. There had been closer working relationships developed across the Youth Sector with representation from the Voluntary Sector, the Council, the Police, Community and Faith sectors, and working together to develop and lead the Youth Offer Action Plan. The Youth Offer Action Plan and achievements for 2016-17 are detailed in Appendix A of this report.

The young people present highlighted their journey through to their participation with Youth Work, as follows:

·         Young people from the Wibsey Ward highlighted that they had nothing to do in their spare time and on most occasions had got themselves into trouble. Ultimately had found out about a Youth Club in Wibsey to which they started to attend and eventually through guidance, had started to help other young people. During their time with the Youth Service, they had enjoyed many activities such as, face painting, singing, bike riding and socialising on different levels through various activities.

·         Young people of the Queensbury Youth Forum were present and stated that they had enjoyed participating in maintaining a safe environment; that they had become Friends at Russell Hall Park; that two of the young people had become part of the Russell Hall Friends Committee which was the result of being involved with youth activities; that they had raised money; learnt how to bake; and, had worked with Tesco’s.

·         Young people of the Buttershaw Ward were also present and highlighted their activities. They had  been engaging with the young people of the Buttershaw Estate to assist in becoming positive; through the assistance of Tesco’s, they were assisting other young people of various ages to become positive role models for their communities; they met as a group on Thursdays to discuss ways forward of helping others and addressing further activities;

·         Young people from the Holme Wood area were also in attendance and highlighted that most people thought young people who had bad behaviour were the attendees of Youth Clubs and this was a stereo typical incorrect perception. The attendees of Youth Clubs were above this and had vision. Members were also assisting the communities with various tasks and Church related tasks.

·         The Sandhill/Woodside Youth Group stated that they met twice a week to serve food to people who needed it; looked after younger children during activities.

A question and answer session ensued:

·         What was the purpose of young people collecting money in the Queensbury Ward?

o   The collection was undertaken for the Alzheimer’s Society and for the Youth Club to help with further activities for young people;

·         Due to the life changing opportunity of the most vulnerable, it would be interesting to establish the number of SEN children that had been involved with the youth clubs?

o   This was an on going piece of work and the Youth Service wished to include such young people; and,

·         What activities were being undertaken in the heart of the Great Horton Ward?

o   Fantastic partnership work had initiated in order to pull together young people from the Great Horton, Wyke and Tong Ward together.

During the discussion, the Committee had made the following points. The young people gave a fantastic synopsis of work and activities undertaken to better communities. Despite the reduction of funding, the Youth Service had a made significant difference in their respective communities. Such positive work in communities needed more promotion and immense praise.

The Chair concluded the item by thanking all individuals who had made a contribution towards communities in the Bradford South area and equally praised all attendees who had made representations at the Committee.

Resolved –

That the achievements of the Youth Offer Working Group, and the Youth Sector as a whole, as outlined in the Action Plan in Appendix A attached to Document “P” be noted. That a further update report in respect of this area of  work be brought back to the Bradford South Area Committee in 12 months time.

That having discussed the shared direction of travel set out in Document “P” and the reshaping of the Youth Service to maximise its contribution to making a difference to young people in Bradford South as part of developing the Youth Offer be noted and welcomed.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place