Issue - meetings

The reason for this report is to tell the local story of how Services for Young People (SYP), working with our partners, has been making a difference to young people in Guildford.

The Local Committee (Guildford) noted the report.

Reason:

The reason for this report is to tell the local story of how Services for Young People (SYP), working with our partners, has been making a difference to young people in Guildford.

The reason for the report was to tell the local story of how Services for Young People (SYP), working with our partners, has been making a difference to young people in Guildford.

Members asked if they could have reassurance that issues for young people such as: ‘Sexting’, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Internet Safety not in prioritised areas of the borough are still being dealt with.  Officers informed Members that because they work in partnership with the Police, Guildford Borough Council etc they inform them of issues young people are facing and then they can provide a wrap around service.  The example was given of recent issues around the Guildford Castle area where young people had been abusing substances and within a week detached youth work was deployed in that area straight after school when this was occurring.  Services for Young People have also contacted schools on prevention and targeting of young people who need further support around ’sexting’.

Officers informed Members that 19 young people were at risk of CSE in the borough and that relevant services meet regularly to ensure that all services are aware of any issues.  The service also supports families with education and in a preventative role.  The Sliding Doors programme supports young women who are at risk of CSE.  WISE also do one to one work with young people at risk of CSE up to the age of 24 years old.  Also a big part of the work that the Community Youth Work service does is around CSE.

Members asked for any feedback on how things have moved forward on the mobile youth work and where the Life Train bus is pitching to reach more young people.  Officers updated that the Life Train is working in the Guildford Castle area and there are sessions in Ash and Stoke and believe that the numbers of young people accessing the bus have increased.

Councillors commented that males coming into Guildford with the intention of carrying out CSE have been prevented through community safety work and that the new taxi livery colours will help people to identify registered taxis improving safety.  Officers commented that perpetrators often related to peer on peer situation with a 5 year or less age difference with the victims of CSE. 

Members asked whether the right resources are in place to support young people; officers responded that the Early Help services are taking some time to implement however in other areas the resources are in place.

The Local Committee (Guildford) noted the report.

Reason:

The reason for this report is to tell the local story of how Services for Young People (SYP), working with our partners, has been making a difference to young people in Guildford.