Decision details

It is recommended that a 2 year fixed term post is created that will enable further development of the Children's Champion Scheme and to achieve longer term sustainability. There is a clear appetite for the growth of the Champion’s Scheme and we have an increase in professionals interested in becoming Champions. The scheme is currently at capacity. To enable the development and growth of the programme an increase in capacity to manage and develop the scheme is therefore required.

RESOLVED - That:
The preferred option would be Option 3 to develop a 2 year fixed term post that will enable further development of the Children's Champion Scheme, achieve longer term sustainability and enable more of our young people to benefit from the scheme. The financial implications of this would be £30,500 per year to cover the cost of the full time youth worker post.
The scheme would also benefit from a development fund, approximately £5k per year to support some of the activities and interventions with the Champions and their young people. Funding would need to be found for this either from the wider Council or from within the service.

Option 1 - To note the report and take no action. Continue to deliver the scheme as it currently is, with the current levels of staffing capacity. This would mean we have a capped number of participants of 15 at any one time.
Option 2 - Cease to deliver the programme and redirect existing capacity into other projects and programmes.
Option 3 - (Preferred Option) Develop the programme to enable more young people to benefit from having a Champion. Employ a Level 1 Youth Worker full time (initially for 2 years) to develop and grow the scheme alongside the Participation Officer. This role will enable a programme to be delivered that grows the scheme in such a way to enable its own longer term sustainability.
This increase in capacity will enable us to deliver:
•Develop an induction and training programme for an increased number of new Champions creating sustainability.
•Devise a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme for existing Champions so that in future existing Champions can take on the role of training and supporting new Champions.
•Enable the ongoing high levels of support and development of Champions from the Youth Service Team, supporting them with challenges, offering advice and guidance.
•Widen the promotion of the scheme to the wider workforce and in turn increase our ability to recruit and retain new Champions at a variety of levels across the Council and partner organisations.
•Provide information and briefing workshops for Social Care staff, carers and other professionals to embed the scheme widely.
•Provide comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the scheme, ensuring quality, safeguarding and reporting on the outcomes achieved on a regular basis.

Option 1 and Option 2

Discussion at the Corporate Parenting conference highlighted that more officers from within the Council and from our partners had an interest to become involved in the Children's Champion programme. Young people also highlighted the benefits to them as individuals and the need to expand the programme.