§ How do we ensure that we commission the right education and skills providers for our young people to meet their needs and the needs of the local region and employers?
At the centre of the commissioning process should sit a strong 14-19 Partnership with a shared strategic approach owned by all partners and working effectively with and for young people within the Children’s Trust. The Partnership should ensure that regional and sub-regional planning, economic development perspectives and a co-ordinated skills planning approach sits at the heart of their medium term plan. Colleges, schools and post-16 providers should be supporting the development of this coherent approach to ensure that all the pattern of apprenticeships and all 14-19 education and training fulfils current needs whilst establishing effective progression routes for young people.
§ How do we ensure that there is effective support in terms of high quality information, advice and guidance about a range of issues, including learning and careers, health, legal and financial matters for all young people including those hardest to reach?
An effectively commissioned Connexions Service is a central part of how the Children’s Trust delivers on this significant part of the overall Children and Young People’s Plan. However, clearly targeted work should begin at school and youth service level for the ‘hardest to reach’ young people where a personalised support approach has been shown to work most effectively. For looked after children, children missing education and those generally facing life challenges, the Children’s Trust needs to monitor carefully how Connexions, Leaving Care Team, Colleges, Schools and Integrated Youth Services all take a pro-active role in this process and commission accordingly.
§ How do we reach our efficiency targets whilst reducing those young people who are NEET at a time when their number is increasing due to the economic downturn?
Targeted work from Connexions, the Leaving Care Team and those services or voluntary groups working with NEET young people will be most effective when the Children’s Trust ensures that all partners focus rigorously on this issue and actively support those working with each young person. Work with pre-16 young people with NEET characteristics is a key strategy and working with schools and youth services should see targeted work commenced early to establish strong PA relationships and personal plans with regular contact and support. School pastoral and youth outreach teams are good examples of currently resourced services to be fully utilised.
§ How do we best commission positive activities on Friday and Saturday nights that are effective in improving outcomes for the most vulnerable young people in our community?
Start by listening to the young people themselves. Often stated as a principle, services are not always able to effectively fulfil this but working with the young people themselves in the design and management of these activities will be critical. A strong approach to integrated young people’s services is important strategically with youth services and all agencies including police, leisure, schools and the voluntary sector working for a co-ordinated approach. Commissioning activities should be based on clear outcomes and the monitoring and evaluation process should involve young people and be applied consistently to build an integrated, co-ordinated pattern of provision.
