MINUTES of the meeting of the YOUTH CONNEXIONS HERTFORDSHIRE TOPIC GROUP held on Thursday 26 November 2009 at 10.00am
ATTENDANCE
Members of the Topic Group
R F Cheswright, G R Churchard (Chairman), T J Price (Vice-Chairman),
C B Wyatt-Lowe, N Betteley
Other Members
A M R Searing
Also in attendance
Caroline Collins, Chief Executive, Ridgemond Training
Martin Cooke, Partnership Manager, LSC
Lynne Coulthard, Head of Strategy and Development
Simon Gentry, Performance Improvement and Business Planning Manager
Tom Hawkyard, Head of Scrutiny
Peter Hosier, Head of Operations (West)
Abid Hussain, Director of Student Services, North Herts College
Tim Hutchings, Chief Executive, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
Emma Lund, Democratic Services Officer
Andy Manson, Head of Operations (East)
Anna Morrison, Work-Based Learning Provider Network Manager, LSC
Heidi Preston, Personal Adviser, North Herts College
Jed Whelan, Headteacher, Fearnhill School
1. / MINUTES1.1 / The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 5 October 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
2. / WITNESS EVIDENCE
2.1 / The Topic Group took evidence from a series of witnesses, and the main points - together with issues arising in the debate - are summarised below.
2.1.1 / Jed Whelan, Head Teacher, Fearnhill School
The Group heard from Jed Whelan, Head Teacher of Fearnhill School, who provided evidence to the Group as a Head Teacher representative and Vice-Chairman of the North Herts District Children’s Trust Partnership. The group heard that:
· It is a challenge for schools to create successful partnerships and the evidence of this will be variable across the county, especially as schools are under a constant barrage of new initiatives and resources are finite. However a strong collaborative network has been established in North Herts;
· Support from Personal Advisers (PAs) is invaluable in maximising potential and increasing the engagement of young people. School colleagues also value the work of the PAs;
· Continuity of the PA connection is important, as frequent changes of PA would de-stabilise the relationship;
· Collaboration and partnership networks are stronger in some areas than in others;
· The costs associated with dealing with young offenders are huge, and there is a cost benefit in dealing with the challenges at an early stage.
2.1.2 / Caroline Collins, Chief Executive, Ridgemond Training
The Group heard from Caroline Collins who gave evidence as Chief Executive of Ridgemond Training, Hertfordshire’s largest independent training provider. The Group heard about the work of the company (which is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity), its structure and bases, aims, and provision available to young people. A paper was circulated to the Group which provided detailed information and addressed the questions of the scoping document. The following was noted:
· A further nine areas of learning have recently been added to the provision which was offered by Ridgemond 18 months ago. This could not have happened without the support of Youth Connexions through their identifying NEET career aims, sharing information and supporting the new courses by marketing them to young people;
· Since the inception of the new service communication is better; this allows a better service and helps engage those in the NEET category to access training;
· Countywide monthly meetings bring everyone together;
· Partnership working is well-developed in Herfordshire, and is much better than in some other authorities;
· Without the Youth Connexions service youth offending would be a bigger problem;
· Welcome the role of PAs in providing non-judgemental support to young people who often do not have this support within the home/family environment;
· Concern is that a much bigger remit has been placed on Youth Connexions, particularly from Government – can they cope with the additional work and still provide the same support?
· Ever-increasing focus on school provision gives Ridgemond concern in relation to the impact on the positive and proactive support received by the company and its learners;
· Two Connexions initiatives have been of particular benefit: YESS (fast-track training linked with job interviews) and Budget Holding Lead Professional (tailored bespoke training, interview support and provision of key equipment/clothing to take up employment).
2.1.3 / Abid Hussain, Director of Student Services and Heidi Preston, Personal Adviser, North Herts College
The Group heard from Abid Hussain, Director of Student Services, and Heidi Preston, Personal Adviser, of North Herts College, who made the following points.
· The partnership with Youth Connexions works at several different levels and is very effective;
· There is also an open relationship through the District Children’s Trust Partnership, for example data is exchanged regularly;
· There is a Personal Adviser who is based at the College full-time. This is beneficial as the students know that she can always be found;
· Amongst other provision the College offers programmes for those below level 3. More learners are coming to the College with referrals from the Youth Offending Team, and the PA liaises with the YOT on a regular basis. The College has clear structures and routes, and many different entry points to facilitate access for learners;
· Student Services works to assist those with barriers to learning;
· Retention is an issue: identifying students at risk, tracking progress and regular tutorials are some methods employed to try to reduce drop-out rates;
· There is variation in terms of quality of provision across the county;
· Lack of aspiration and lack of parental/family support are common issues;
· It is difficult trying to bring all the various agencies around the young person together – e.g. parents, education services, health services (for example if there are mental health issues). Involvement of the health service is a particular issue;
· There are two specialist PAs who are trained to deal with anger management issues. More of these specialist PAs would be beneficial. Youth Connexions also regularly runs anger management training and offers Brief Therapy – a short form of cognitive behavioural therapy to deal with anger management issues.
2.1.4 / Tim Hutchings, Chief Executive, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
The Group heard that Tim Hutchings has been a member of the Youth Connexions Advisory Board for approximately the last four years. The Chamber of Commerce works closely with Youth Connexions in two particular areas: work experience and youth unemployment. The following points arose:
· It is beneficial to be able to have input into the service from a strategic perspective through the work of the Board. The Board is effective and well-run and provides an open environment for debate and questioning;
· Has worked with Youth Connexions on setting up 350 youth apprenticeships. If this can be achieved NEET figures will remain fairly static - this is a significant achievement in the current economic climate;
· The cohort of those eligible for apprenticeships currently comprises those who are unemployed, leaving care, or who are hard to place. In future it is likely to also include those who have failed to find work after leaving higher education;
· Youth Connexions in Hertfordshire has a good reputation and there is much positive work going on in the county;
· NEET figures rose last year after having fallen in 2007. Figures for this year are likely to be lower than last year, largely due to young people going back in to training. The next 12 months will be challenging in terms of youth unemployment;
· Youth Connexions offers significant value for money. Whilst better value for money can always be achieved, the current set-up within Youth Connexions is finely attuned to what is required and is flexible enough to respond.
2.1.5 / Martin Cooke, Partnership Manager, Learning and Skills Council
Martin Cooke, Partnership Manager from the Learning and Skills Council outlined the work of the LSC as a statutory body and an executive agency of the Department for Children, School and Families, and explained how its role fits with Youth Connexions and how the two organisations work together. The Group heard that at the local level the key to partnership working is the seven Strategic Area Partnership Groups (SAPGs), which are based on travel to work areas: clear strategic direction is communicated to District Manager level and the success of each district is therefore dependent upon the quality of people in each district. Not all Connexions offices are fully staffed, which can be an issue.
2.1.6 / Anna Morrison, Work-Based Learning Provider Network Manager
The Group heard from Anna Morrison, Work-Based Learning Provider Network Manager for Hertfordshire. Members heard that the role is to facilitate partnership working with the Hertfordshire Learning Provider Network across the county (the Hertfordshire Learning Provider Network is an umbrella group of the 24 providers who cover the county) by working closely with Youth Connexions and ensuring that the provision offered by the network meets the aims of the service’s strategy.
Members heard that the make-up of the NEET group has changed over the last six months: it now includes many with level 2 or level 3 qualifications. The 10 districts feed into 4 NEET reduction meetings where NEET data is regularly analysed by gender, age range, interests, etc. to ensure that provision continues to meet the needs of the group and enable providers to respond to changes. For example, the e2e programme used to last for 22 weeks, but in response to young people’s feedback that a more focussed course would get them into employment more quickly this was then streamlined and ‘Fasttrack’ (a short, sharp employment-led intervention) was developed. ‘e2e’ (Entry to Employment) is the funding stream which enables providers to deliver the courses.
Members heard about the work of the apprenticeship bus, which works with those aged 16+ out in communities; the Group also heard about the public sector champion post, jointly funded by the Hertfordshire Learning Provider Network and the Learning and Skills Council, and work to raise the profile of apprenticeships and encourage employers to take on apprentices. There is also a national Apprenticeship Pathfinder Project, which is a national project that is being piloted in Hertfordshire bringing forward national entitlement by 2 years from 2013 to 2011. All of these initiatives are delivered by working in partnership. Anna Morrison also updated Members on the Future 565 Project which merges two funding streams: the 365 apprenticeship job opportunities and the 200 apprenticeships made available by the Future Jobs Fund - a national initiative from the DWP to fund opportunities for people aged 18 to 24 who have been unemployed for 10 months or more and are claiming jobseekers allowance.
2.1.7 / Peter Hosier, Head of Operations (West)
Peter Hosier, Head of Operations (West) presented two papers which updated Members on Youth Connexions property and resource issues. The first set out the current status of Youth Connexions properties (strategy, quality and quantity, current provision, main district centres, funding, integration of facilities and outdoor education). The second provided a summary of Youth Connexions provision by district. The Group also received spreadsheets which detailed the operational status, condition and suitability of all Youth Connexions properties in the county.
In particular the following was noted:
· There is no pot of money to undertake ‘betterment’ (as opposed to just repairs and maintenance);
· Of the 30 venues Youth Connexions owns, manages, or has responsibility for, a third are in poor condition and the vast majority are in need of investment;
· Sites vary as to how many hours per day they are open;
· More work is now going on on Friday and Saturday nights: this is a priority for the service but needs to be balanced against the need for provision during the rest of the week, holiday cover, etc.
· Progress in developing district centres is welcomed, but communities that cannot easily access the main centres need to continue to have access to local provision.
The updates on provision and property were noted.
2.1.8 / Lynne Coulthard, Head of Strategy and Development
The Group heard from Lynne Coulthard, Head of Strategy and Development, about staff resources within the service and the different roles undertaken by staff. Members heard that there are currently 146.5 Personal Advisers (mainstream and specialist), who are professionally qualified. Specialist PAs cover a variety of specialisms, for example working with the Youth Offending or Post-16 Team, or working with those with learning difficulties and disabilities to ensure that section 139a assessments are carried out and that learning and physical support needs are met. PAs work in a variety of settings, including schools, special schools, Key Stage 4 Centres, One-Stop Shops, colleges and homeless hostels. The amount of PA support allocated to a school is calculated according to a variety of factors, including the total number of pupils in the school, achievement at GCSE level, and the numbers of young people who leave school and become NEET. PAs spend approximately half their time in schools, with the remainder spent working in the community with NEETs, pre-NEETs, young people in training and employment and non-attenders. Recruitment of quality staff can be difficult due to the proximity to London and the higher salaries which can be achieved in London.
In addition to PAs there are also 40 FTE youth workers, who work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, including at weekends, and 60 volunteer mentors who provide specific support around confidence-building and self-esteem. Almost all staff are trained in integrated practice – part of the Every Child Matters agenda. Youth work is delivered mainly as group work; it has a clear curriculum which is linked to the Every Child Matters outcomes.
Professional Range Workers (a core of 3 per district) are responsible for the planning, management and delivery of youth work. An annual evaluation and planning process is used to evaluate what young people want and need, and ensures that the aims of the Children and Young People Plan and CSF Plan are addressed. Feedback from young people on the their views on education provision is provided to the Learning and Skills Council.
A detailed paper containing the information provided by Lynne Coulthard will be circulated separately (to follow).
2.1.9 / Written evidence from Eileen Gordon, 14-19 Manager, on how the establishment of the new service has helped to improve young people’s access to the ‘youth offer’
Prior to the meeting Members had received a paper produced by Eileen Gordon, 14 – 19 Manager, which set out how the establishment of the new service has helped to improve young people’s access to the ‘youth offer’. A paper from Lin Phillips, Children’s Service Manager, will be brought to the next meeting of the Group.
In Eileen Gordon’s absence Simon Gentry, Performance Improvement and Business Planning Manager, presented the paper and the contents were noted by Members.
2.2 / During the discussions the following pieces of additional information were requested:
· More detail on the seven SAPGs and how they are aligned with the District Children’s Trust Partnerships and Youth Connexions areas;
· Written evidence from Lin Phillips (to be brought to the next meeting)
· A list of district managers
· A structure chart for Youth Connexions
· A list of all schools in Hertfordshire which offer the diploma
· A glossary of acronyms / Simon Gentry
3. / INFORMATION REQUESTED AT THE LAST MEETING
3.1 / A background paper detailing sources of funding, requested at the last meeting, was circulated with the agenda. The List of Youth Connexions Properties was tabled at the meeting by Peter Hosier, Head of Operations (West), and was considered by the Group during his evidence on premises for delivery and how resources are allocated.
4. / WORK PROGRAMME
4.1 / The Head of Scrutiny updated the Group on arrangements for the next meeting, and in particular the arrangements for evidence to be taken from District Council representatives following the invitation which had been sent to all Hertfordshire district councils in October. The Group heard that, due to the numbers expected, contributions are to be limited to a maximum of ten minutes per district, and the meeting will take place in Committee Room B.
4.2 / Members also considered possible dates for visits to youth connexions bases during the weeks commencing 11 and 18 January 2010. Andy Manson undertook to find out what activities would be going on during those weeks, and to identify opportunities for Member visits. Members were asked to notify any particular preferences regarding sites to visit, etc. direct to Simon Gentry. / Andy Manson/
Simon Gentry
5. / DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
5.1 / Monday 14 December 2009 at 10.00am in Committee Room B.
Emma Lund