Agenda item

To consider a report of the Executive Director Core Services and the Executive Director People in respect of the Local Youth Offer in Barnsley (Item 4 attached).

The following witnesses were welcomed to the meeting:-

Nine Sleight – Service Director, Education, Early Start & Prevention, People Directorate;

Julie Hammerton – Early Intervention & Prevention Service Manager, People Directorate;

Rachel Payling – Head of Service, Stronger Communities, Communities Directorate;

Angela Kelly – Early Intervention and Prevention Service Operational Manager, People Directorate;

Emma Baines – Youth Voice and Participation Operations Manager, People Directorate;

Alyssa Butler – Young Mayor of Barnsley and Barnsley Youth Councillor;

Councillor Margaret Bruff – Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

By way of introduction Members received a brief presentation focusing on the offer in Barnsley and associated performance information.

In 2019 2,125 young people had accessed provision, with 32,544 attendances which included consultation such as ‘Make Your Mark’. Figures related to young people aged 11-19, and those aged up to 25 with additional needs. 1,048 young people had accessed more than 8 hours of provision.  17 had accessed the children’s rights service, which provided advocacy for children in care.  165 individuals had attended sexual health services, with 1,323 attendances.  187 young people had accessed one-to-one support through the Early Help Pathway.  Members were also made aware of the nature of help being sought, with ‘physical health’, to ‘establish and build relationships’, and ‘achieving personal and social development’ being most common.

The impact and quality of interventions was measured through a number of tools including ‘outcomes star’, and ‘this is me’.  Members were made aware that the service was subject to continuous improvement, quality assurance and contract management arrangements.  In addition, service user feedback was taken into account in service design.

Members were made aware of the outcomes for young people and for the wider community.  Noted was the reduction in first time entrants to the criminal justice system and reduction of re-offending rates.  9,554 young people had voted in the annual ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign.   A focus on early help had reduced the need for more intensive support, and flexible and proactive diversionary services had helped to prevent nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

Thanks were given for the presentation and report received and questions were invited from Members.  In the ensuing discussion and in response to detailed questioning and challenge, the following matters were highlighted:-

The Youth Mayor was asked about the quality of the service from the perspective of a service user. It was felt that the service was very engaging and positive, which provided support to young people who may have otherwise struggled.  The service assisted young people to learn skills and progress as a person.

With regards to the provision of a ‘Youth Hub’ Members heard that discussions were taking place with ‘Youth Zone’ and that a Cabinet report would be forthcoming in due course. Assurances were given that the service would work with any partners to ensure services were complementary. 

Noted was the need for the local authority to provide ‘sufficient educational and recreational activities’.   Though the provision of a ‘Youth Zone’ would complement this, it was not part of consideration of the configuration of the service.  In light of the difficult financial situation, there continued to be a borough wide offer, which included the provision of I Know I Can (IKIC) Centres and detached youth work.  Members acknowledged that Barnsley had always given a high priority to this area, and although there was always more that could be done, the service continued to be high quality, and to make a difference, working with partners and providers.

In relation to work with young people from refugee or migrant families Members noted that there wasn’t any specific offer tailored to this demographic, but support was given for any young person to access the service.

Questions were raised about how Barnsley’s offer compared with neighbouring South Yorkshire Authorities.  Barnsley continued to be in a positive position, having a high quality offer, working alongside and coproduced with young people.  It was acknowledged that Barnsley does not have the same issues as seen elsewhere in the county, but that work continues with South Yorkshire partners in areas such as Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE).

Noting that the CCE funding was time limited, Members questioned the impact of the funding ending.  Assurances were given that legacy work had been factored in to planning of the project, and though some functions may cease, important parts would be mainstreamed.

Members challenged how representative the Youth Council was, and Members heard that representatives were democratically elected, but that current representation included that from the BME community, Looked After Children, and those who have a Special Educational Needs plan.  A number of children in care and those attending Greenacre and Springwell schools were also co-opted. Members of the Youth Council also attended the LGBTQ forum in order to ascertain the views of this group.

Examples from other authorities where surpluses from commercial activities were reinvested in youth services were discussed.  Whilst this practise did not currently occur in Barnsley, it was something that would be considered.  However, it was important that commercial activities did not alter the focus and compromise the delivery of the core service.  Members were made aware of the Excel programme, which had been developed in partnership with schools and was currently being piloted.  If successful, this would be rolled out further and could become income generating.

Members discussed the work of Central Area Council in supporting voluntary organisations who were interested in undertaking Youth Work.  This was supported by officers, recognising the benefit of peer support. The offer was made to work closely with Area Councils on projects such as this.

The importance Area Councils placed on services for young people, and the investments made was stressed.  The important community leadership role of Members was acknowledged and the valued services the Area Councils commission.  It was suggested that communication between the Area Councils and youth services needed to be more frequent going forward, and the need to strengthen the links to work more closely strategically and operationally.

How Council services worked with community groups was discussed, and Members heard how there were 9 lead workers in place across Barnsley.  Part of their role was to understand the full offer in their area to ensure services were complementary.  Young people were encouraged to join appropriate activity, and the views of these groups were listened to.

Members noted the need for all services to work together in partnership. A case study providing an example of good practice was provided.  In response to an area of concern, reactive workers were deployed.  Working with partners, and though investment with CRT for football coaching, this had resulted in a positive outcome, with young people now engaged and had taken part in a national football tournament.

A discussion took place regarding the ‘Make Your Mark’ exercise. 9,954 had taken part. This had resulted in 2 national campaigns being supported, in addition to 3 local campaigns.  Nationally the issues selected were ‘protect the environment’ and ‘put an end to knife crime’.  Locally ‘the effects of drug use in communities’, ‘Young people’s access to transport (the offer)’, and ‘Community safety, including anti-social behaviour (ASB), crime, gangs and policing’ had been agreed.

The results of ‘Make Your Mark’ had been discussed in various forums, including the Children’s Trust, and Community Safety Partnership. Discussions had taken place with secondary head teachers about the issues, and how future voting numbers could be increased.  Work had also taken place with the SEND Youth Forum to understand the views of these young people and this was being shared with schools and partners.

A challenge was made about how the service was promoted, and whether families and young people would be aware of the offer.  It was noted that this was advertised in schools, and community organisations. There was also a strong digital presence, with some young people choosing to self-refer as a result of information they had seen online.

Members noted that young people would also be referred to the service through work with families through services such as early help.

Whilst the promotion of the service to those engaged was acknowledged, questions were raised how the wider community would be made aware. It was noted that this was an ongoing process, with normal channels being used, including word of mouth and through building relationships with people of influence. The support of Members was appreciated with this.

Members noted that the Communications Department assisted with campaigns, but more could be done, such as celebrating achievements and promoting positive work. This could help to challenge perceptions, with an example being Barnsley’s significant progress with regards to improving educational outcomes.

Members questioned what assessments the Service was subject to, whether it was audited or self-assessed and what officers felt the next potential inspection outcome could possibly be.

Members noted that there were regular audits held on planned activities, action plans and targeted 1:1 support with young people and also that Service Improvement Plans were in place to work towards early prevention.  However, the Targeted Youth Services were not subject to their own inspection but were part of the Children’s Services Inspection, Youth Justice Inspection and the inspection of SEND Services.  There were a range of Frameworks in place to meet the needs, standards and continued service improvement plans to help Services understand where not only they need to improve but also how to build on what they already did well including feedback from young people through their voice and participation. 

Members raised a question regarding the wellbeing of staff and whether the support was adequate enough for those who work unsociable hours whilst undertaking face to face support.  Officers informed members that for full time employees, group staff supervision sessions were held on a regular basis to enable them to talk about any issues they had.  6 weekly supervision sessions with the Manager were being held and the Council’s Personal Development Sessions were carried out on a regular basis.  The part time staff that work nights both detached and centre based were given a de-brief after every session and all staff were made the offer of wellbeing support.  In response to queries around staff being given adequate personal development opportunities, members were informed that staff were given regular training through the Council’s online POD system which holds a range of training programmes which they had access to as and when required.

Members praised the Take Away Programme from the Youth Service and its wrap around care for the whole family in conjunction with other agencies.  It was felt that the continued work to build links across departments within the Authority and involving Area Councils could build even further to ensure the Youth Service grows from strength to strength.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That thanks be given to all officers for their attendance at the Committee and the work undertaken with young people throughout the borough;

(ii)          That work is undertaken to strengthen the links between the service and Area Councils, including the services they commission.

(iii)         That work is undertaken to better promote Youth Services available in the Borough both to those who are eligible to access them, as well as amongst the general population so they are aware of support services in place.

(iv)         Officers provide a break down to each Area Council of the issues raised by young people in each local area who participated in the ‘Make Your Mark’ Campaign.