The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “K”) gives an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford West Area during April 2017 and March 2018.

Recommended –

That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford West Area as detailed in this report be welcomed.

(Bhulla Singh - 1274 432597)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “K”) gave an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford West Area during April 2017 and March 2018.

The Senior Youth Work Manager was invited to present the report to the Committee. She highlighted that Bradford Council Youth Service was part of the wider Bradford District Youth Offer that aimed to ensure the provision of a range of activities and services took place in safe spaces, where young people could develop a sense of belonging, socialise with their peers and develop relationships with adults they can trust. It recognised that with the right supportive relationships, strong ambitions and good opportunities all young people could realise their potential and be positive and active members of society.

She was accompanied by young people who had played an integral role in the provision of activities. Following introductions, they verbally showcased their journey’s supported by the Youth Service, as follows:

·         Young person 1 A 17 year old and a resident of the Allerton area. She had been involved with the Youth Service for 3 years and had become involved due to her mental health anxiety issues. In the 3 years she had been involved with various projects. Her experience since joining had made her more confident and in control of her emotions.

·         Young Person 2 Had been a volunteer for a number of years. Assisted in alleviating his shyness and embarked on many projects on a voluntary basis for the young people in the Bradford West area.

·         Young Person 3 Originally joined the Youth Service to gain invaluable experience for long term goals.

·         Young Person 4 Recently joined the Youth Service as a volunteer and the staff had been exceptionally experienced and very professional. This journey opened new experiences for her which she never knew existed.

·         Young Person 5 Worked for the Provident on a full time basis but also joined the Youth Service as a volunteer in March 2018 in order to help other young people in the area.

Following presentation, a question and answer session ensued:

·         What feedback had been given by young people who had been helped during projects to the Youth Work volunteers?

o   Assisting the young generation gave young people the sense of knowing that support was available if needed in various aspects of their daily lives

·         How could Councillors assist young people in a more attractive youth experience?

o   Response of Young Person – The awareness of the Youth Service could be boosted by circulating more information of various projects and activities through schools;

o   Response of Senior Youth Work Manager - The Youth Service did participate in schools but the work was overwhelming therefore the sustainability of work had to be adhered to. Significant work had been done with Pupil Referral Units and also had summer programmes that have been positive and rewarding. There was also on-going dialogue with the Regional Youth Work Unit and discussions of bringing further staff into Bradford

During the discussion between the Committee, the following comments were made:

·         It was clear that the Youth Service had made great efforts to make a significant difference in young people’s lives which resulted in a positive impact on their respective families.

·         It was important that there were more Youth Workers because of the increasing numbers of young people who needed guidance in their daily lives;

·         It would be preferable if a further report was presented in the future that captured a ward by ward basis of what activities were undertaken and the numbers of young people participating;

·         Many young people were not acquainted with youth activities and more work was coming up to get the attention of a wider audience;

·         The funding associated with the National Citizens Service (NCS) was extremely costly;

·         The NCS had commenced with programmes that were led by people who were not professional as it had spent around £50 million on advertisement during the period around 600 professional Youth Workers lost their jobs; and,

·         Individual wards contained young people with differing issues and educational programmes had to be tailored to meet distinct problems.

The Chair praised the young people for their efforts in the area of volunteering for the sake of helping themselves and others. However, he expressed disappointing sentiments in the contents of the report as he was not fully satisfied as to the accuracy of the information therein. He further highlighted the lack of youth provision in certain Wards of the Bradford West area. In response, the Bradford West Area Co-ordinator stated that this was a result of the lack of staff, the loss of administration staff and the leaving of a Youth Worker. Posts were being filled at the present time and 11 apprenticeships had also been filled.

The Chair further queried as to the under spending of around £50,000 in the Bradford West that was intended for youth activities area and as to the whereabouts of the funding. The unused funding had been put into the Council’s central pot due to the overall financial constraints.

The Chair stated that he was disappointed as to the lack of youth provision in the Bradford West area especially after hearing from the young people of how much they had achieved personally and the significance in helping others. The fact that the Toller Ward did not even have a qualified youth worker was disheartening to be made aware of. It was important that the Committee’s comments were made a note of by officers present at the Committee in order to apply equality and fairness to all Wards in the Bradford West area.

The Committee then expressed reservations to some of the work that had been delivered. In response, a Social Worker stated that the service did its upmost with all aspects including the networking with all faith organisations.

The Chair concluded the discussion by highlighting the importance of communicating with Ward Councillors of the activities before, during and after, to which it was responded that information will be circulated on what was going on in Members respective Wards.

Resolved –

(1)       That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford             West   area be noted, whilst acknowledging the devastating impact of      Government cuts towards youth work nationally.

(2)       That the Bradford West Area Committee receives a quarterly      report on the Youth Service budget spend in the Bradford West      area.

ACTION:       Strategic Director, Place