Services for young people

Memorandum submitted by Mandy Kelly

 The relationship between universal and targeted services for young people;

A relationship between universal and targeted services is crucial.  The two must work alongside each other.  Universal services need to be via a formal route  (e.g. schools) and informal routes (e.g. youth clubs, health projects etc) Without universal services it is unlikely that targeted services for young people will connect with the right young people and therefore meet the targeted need.

 How services for young people can meet the Government’s priorities for volunteering, including the role of National Citizen Service;

I believe that young people will welcome the opportunities to be involved in community volunteering schemes - they need to be well-publicised and to have simple incentives such as accreditation for skills gained and hours committed. 

 Which young people access services, what they want from those services and their role in shaping provision;

Experts in formal and informal settings are well aware of the need to hear young people's voices and if these views are respected and acted on it will encourage more people to come forward and take an active part in communities.  Experts in working with young people are trained / qualified.  We must not de-value professionals in the field of work with young people.  The failure of past governments to recognise the need for statutory youth work in communities is particularly worrying - without youth workers in key roles we will lose a very important layer of expertise.

 The relative roles of the voluntary, community, statutory and private sectors in providing services for young people;

Groups such as scouts and guides have a huge membership - but they rely on volunteers from within the adult community.  These volunteers offer a lot, but it is difficult to rely on their long term commitment.  Training of volunteers is patchy - it is often difficult to be involved in additional voluntary hours to undertake training.  There are some private sectors involved in working with young people, especially around elite sport's or musical performance - these activities, by their funding nature alone, are elitist.  There are some bursaries attached to some activities, but often it is the most privileged children who access these as they are already in the performance / coaching environment.  Extended school activities have done a lot to open more opportunities to young people and it is very important that this practice continues to be funded and supported as part of the school's dedicated grant.  Youth work - and informal opportunities to work with young people at risk of disaffection is massively underfunded and facing devastating cuts in the current economic climate.  This is the one area I feel central government ought to interfere and support.

 The training and workforce development needs of the sector;  

Training can and should come from communities themselves - that way it will meet the local need.  Professional workers should be involved in slightly wider networks and support organisations via the net in order to keep abreast of new ideas and initiatives.

 The impact of public sector spending cuts on funding and commissioning of services, including how available resources can best be maximised, and whether payment by results is desirable and achievable;

Payment by results is not a fair incentive for people dedicated to working with young people.  It is fair to measure participation and regular attendance by targeted groups.  In the commissioning climate youth work and centres could meet local needs effectively with business support - but there may need to be incentives offered to other sectors (such as schools, police and health) to seek multi-agency input.

 How local government structures and statutory frameworks impact on service provision; and

Cuts to youth and community funding will take the expertise away from communities.  It will place young people at risk as a result of denying them entitlement to activities and support services.  It will impact on the willingness of young people to make positive contributions to their communities.  IT WILL BE A DISASTER!

 How the value and effectiveness of services should be assessed.

Assessment should be via a robust community / multi-agency review.  Services will need to set business plans with impact measurements and will then be measured on their ability to meet targets and continue to grow in terms of both organisation and strategic methods.

December 2010