Agenda item

Councillor Paul Rochford (Cabinet Member for Children & Learning) introduced the report

A vision for the future delivery of youth services in Havering entitled “Creating Brighter Futures” was presented. It proposed a new approach to engaging with young people and supporting the Council, community, voluntary and business sectors to work more effectively with young people.

The vision defined a new Havering Assets Framework and described a new role for youth workers, including direct contact with young people, street projects and supporting the voice of young people in design delivery and governance of services. It also focused youth work on building the capacity and capability of local people, volunteers and community groups to offer better outcomes for young people. The aim was to make the most of the natural networks that young people experienced in their daily lives. It directly supported the government policy “Positive for Youth” in developing more positive and enterprising image and view of young people and their communities.

Reasons for the decision:

To offer a new vision and new direction for youth services and those organisations providing opportunities for young people.

To underpin the subsequent production of a strategy and action plan which would set out in detail how young people would secure better outcomes, in terms of employment, education, health and personal outcomes.

Other options considered:

The option of not producing a Vision was considered but ruled out because it was essential that it be produced before a strategy and action plan were drawn up.

Assurance was given that the need for “mother and toddler” groups would not be overlooked, although it was stressed that the Council had to balance demand with efficiency in provision.

Cabinet:

1.                  Agreed the new Vision for the delivery of youth services in Havering, attached as appendix 1 to this report entitled “Creating Brighter Futures.”;

2.                  Noted that a further report including a strategy and action plan to achieve the Vision in the next three years will be presented to Cabinet in December 2012