Agenda item

The Area Council Manager updated Members on the current position regarding the Young People’s Emotional Resilience priority.  Following a failed procurement exercise in early 2030 the opportunity has been modified to a somewhat smaller grant opportunity. This is designed to support the delivery of a range of positive after school and holiday provision (interventions/ projects/activities/sessions) that will contribute to building the emotional resilience and wellbeing of children and young people (aged 8-13); providing them with additional tools to help them transition smoothly between junior and senior school and make positive choices.

A discussion took place with regard to the grant opportunity.  Specific items of note included:

-       The need for both a Public Health representative and a school champion to sit on the Youth Resilience Fund panel. 

-       Covid 19 will present further challenges to the project around space and safety.  Advice should be sought from the National Youth Organisation around working with disengaged young people.

-       Timescales may be pushed back until after the October half term to give more breathing space.

-       Challenges around Covid-19 recovery will be 16+, parenting (key in term of resilience), peer support for parents and those children and young people with additional needs such as autism and challenging behaviour

-       Post 16 support around Covid-19 will be covered with promised national, regional and local interventions.

RESOLVED that:

(i)            Members note the priority update and guidance, and

(ii)          Grant permission for the Youth Resilience Grant to be advertised.