Youth services revamp

This area will be given priority as the county council grapples with intense pressures. It was revealed at the latest meeting of the children and young people’s select committee that the county cabinet would provide an extra £1m for this year only, to allow for phased introduction of service changes. A consultation has now begun, which will play a major part in the wide-ranging review of all services offered to young people. The county council has stressed that no final decisions have yet been taken but, the overall aim is to find the best way of creating an integrated youth support and development service. This integrated service will combine the functions of the Youth Service, Youth Offending Service and Connexions. The latter is an advice and information service for young people, which also works to improve employment and further education opportunities. Changes under consideration include reducing grant allocations, staffing levels and running costs, suspending planned projects and programmes and renegotiating contracts. Cabinet member Pat Arculus, stressed that proposals were for the county council’s own youth provision and that a significant amount was provided across West Sussex apart from this. She said: “Somebody has to take the lead and I am hoping that what comes out of the community is ideas about how we can develop. This is not about us dictating - it is about us working with the community on how we can deliver the best posible services for young people in West Sussex, bearing in mind this will not be the only part of the public sector that will be financially challenged.” She said the aim was to develop a service which helped young people with modern pressures, ensuring the resources are placed where they will have the most impact. Director of Operations Stuart Gallimore said it was important to hold on to the present shape of the services, rather than retrenching around particular areas, which was more likely to be the statutory side such as youth offending. He emphasised the importance of volunteers coming forward from across the county. At present there are large armies of volunteers who work with young people in West Sussex, with a general underestimation of the amount of work they do. The county envisages that dedicated youth teams could be formed to deliver services in areas with highest need. Earlier this year, it said it hoped to ensure targeted support for vulnerable young people such as young offenders, looked after children, teenage parents, young people who are not in education, employment or training and young people with drug or aclohol problems. Staff, schools, residents and partner organisations are being encouraged to take part in the on-line consultation which ends on May 25. The questionnaire can be found at www. westsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay and there are also links to it from the website for young people in West Sussex www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk as well as at the West Sussex Grid for Learning.