Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to update the Local Committee on how Services for Young People has supported young people to develop their employability during 2014/15, which is the overall goal of Services for Young People.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed to note how Services for Young People has supported young people to be employable during 2014/15, as set out in Annex 1 to the report.

Reasons:

The Local Committee has an important part to play in supporting the local development of Services for Young People, ensuring that we are providing the right support to young people in local communities. In particular they have an important formal role in relation to the Local Prevention Framework and Centre Based Youth Work.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Vicky Harris and Anthony Durno, Services for Young People, SCC

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Member Discussion – key points:

The purpose of the report was to update the Local Committee on how Services for Young People has supported young people to develop their employability during 2014/15, which is the overall goal of Services for Young People.

It was commented that CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health services) seem unwilling to work with young people where they are reluctant to engage in the process.  Members were informed that the ‘No Labels’ project is bridging the gap and the professionals are working hard to provide support and give young people the time to build a relationship with them.

Members highlighted that there isn’t a building in Park Barn/Westborough area for young people to use, therefore where can they access services and it was raised whether there were any issues with transport.

Members were informed that Services for Young People meet young people where they feel comfortable meeting e.g. in their home and will provide transport so that they can access services.  Young people also use technology to communicate with Services for Young People.

The question was raised whether any of the Individual Prevention Grants ‘to remove barriers to participation for young people’ were used to support technology for young people.  Members were updated that one of the grants had been used to increase access for young people with mental health problems by providing them with laptops and phones.

It was suggested that services for young people may wish to contact the local County Councillors to access the Member’s Allocations funding for projects.  Councillor Goodwin asked whether Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD) were in need of any funding as he would like to support them.  Officers commented that Youth Small Grants were being affected so access to other grants was welcome. 

The question was raised why the number of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) had increased in 2014/15 across the majority of boroughs/districts in Surrey.  Members were informed that the efficiency of partnership work has improved which has meant that the numbers of young people shown as NEETS has risen.

Members asked what provision there was for young people who were maybe not ready to go into the workplace.  Officers stated that the ‘Stepping Stones’ project; a ready for work programme was available to help young prepare for applying for work etc.  A question was asked as to whether there are opportunities for young people to work outdoors.  Officers confirmed that the SOLD offered opportunities and they will work with young people to find out what they are interested in and to get them on the ladder to apprenticeships.  Employers have also fed back that work needs to be done with young people on their attitude to work.

Action:

Anthony Durno to forward SOLD’s contact details to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer to circulate.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed to note how Services for Young People has supported young people to be employable during 2014/15, as set out in Annex 1 to the report.

Reasons:

The Local Committee has an important part to play in supporting the local development of Services for Young People, ensuring that we are providing the right support to young people in local communities. In particular they have an important formal role in relation to the Local Prevention Framework and Centre Based Youth Work.