TO FOLLOW

Susannah Beasley-Murray, Director of Supporting Families, presented an overview of the current commissioning of youth service provision, internal delivery and governance of the development of Young Tower Hamlet.

Ms Beasley-Murray outlined the current £1.2million commissions of contracts within the borough and the KPI targets to date. This includes specialist delivery four short term contracts to support the Somali groups youth work for the next 11 months, which began in September 2023. Funding for long term arrangements are currently being sourced for Youth Service providers within the Council for quarter 4 of the 2023/24 municipal year.

Other notable achievements included; the young carers support groups, assisting the young Mayor’s election scheduled for December, and Youth Council, where around 45 children enhance their public speaking skills, participation work with care leavers, a team building residential and weekend away, in conjunction with the Exploitation Service and Youth Justice team.

The sub-committee were informed that an interim team delivering universal delivery of youth support and alongside there being a strong sports provision Two have been refurbished, Golston Street and Columbia Road, in order to provide universal youth provision, with two further sites due for October end. Targeted youth provision is being delivered by the ‘Break the Cycle’ team there has been increased staff to provide assistance to young people including young carers and to prevent vulnerable young people from entering the criminal justice system. The consideration will be given to charities and voluntary groups, an increased workforce and a youth service to enhance the provision in all wards.

Further to  questions from the sub-committee, Susannah Beasley-Murray and Kelly Duggan, Head of Youth Justice Service;

·       Confirmed that further data on Youth Service uptake, including a breakdown of new contacts and the gender split in participants, to be provided to the sub-committee for review.

·       Clarified that there is specialised youth provision commissioned by the council i.e. health for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), children transitioning for primary to secondary school and LGBTQI+

·       Explained that the requirements for Integrated Detached team staff have various levels of qualification depending on the level of seniority. Group interviews and team building exercises are often used to see the skills which are required to engage young people.

·       Confirmed that all provision is free admission and partnerships work closely with schools. The aim is to give children a safe space in every ward and build on skills learnt, including feedback from parents and carers. Consideration to use other local spaces is ongoing and any suggestions from the sub-committee would be gratefully received.

·       Noted that publicity is available via the council website, flyers with a Young Tower Hamlets quick response (QR) code, a two dimensional barcode with full details of council services are available. Details have also been sent to the Head teachers Forum. The Detached Team are now advertising around local areas.

·       Clarified that timetables are updated daily with structured times for various ages within the borough.

·       Confirmed that each centre has a male and female staff members and specific sessions that are safe for girls and young women. This also extends to teams working with the community to build trust with young women and girls. A breakdown on equalities monitoring data for employees of the youth service, specifically gender will be provided to the sub-committee for review.

RESOLVED that

1.    That further data on Youth Service uptake, including a breakdown of new contacts and the gender split in participants, will be provided to the sub-committee for review.

2.    That a breakdown on equalities monitoring data for employees of the youth service, specifically gender to be provided to the sub-committee for review.

3.    That the presentation be noted.