Agenda item

The Board gave consideration to an update by the Head of the Youth Service on the District youth work offer.

The Board were provided with an update on the motion regarding knife crime and information which had been presented to the Board in October 2019.  The Youth Service had received funding from the Community Safety Funds to invest in the creation of District Youth Teams.  The Youth Teams had been established and were operational.  The aim was to deliver additional and targeted youth work sessions and interventions across the districts of Oldham.  The objectives were outlined in the report.  The Youth Service also included a Detached/Response Team and an Empowerment and Participation Team.

The Board were informed of the impact of Covid-19 on the services which had been significant.  Some staff had been redeployed to support the wider emergency response.  Reduced staff undertook youth work using online platforms as well as some limited outreach work which aimed at supporting young people to be safe.  As restrictions changed the offer was adapted and increased.  The delivery of the Covid safe youth offer was informed by guidance from the National Youth Agency.  The impact of Covid on the wider youth offer was also outlined.  Many had to close venues and adapt their offer online. 

The service continued to engage and consult with young people across Oldham.  The Make Your Mark 2020 consultation was ongoing and was a large-scale consultation for young people across Oldham which provided a list of top priority issues identified by young people and informed and shaped the annual work programme for the service and the Youth Council.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People commented on the amazing work being done by the service despite the pandemic and the timetable of work which was planned and added that Overview and Scrutiny may wish to see the outcomes of the Make Your Mark consultation.

Members sought and received information on how priorities had changed, issues related to mental health and hotspots of anti-social behaviour and how demand on youth workers was managed.  Members were informed of the response across the youth work sector, work across a number of sectors to support young people, and detached teams which worked across multiple locations in all districts.  It was a challenge with limited staff.

Members referred to specific youth teams in districts and the effect from Covid-19 and interlinking with external partners, signposting for carers and parents.  Members were informed of work ongoing in locations which was hampered due to Covid-19 restrictions.  A number of social platforms were being used as open sessions could not be held under Covid restrictions.  Work was ongoing across a number of services to co-ordinate what was available for young people.

Members referred to the knife crime issue as discussed last year and raised the issue of drugs and asked what work was being done or planned and also about work with young people from the BME community and those who did not have access to social media.  Members were informed that drug and alcohol use was part of the strategy and the service worked closely with Positive Steps with their Drug and Alcohol Team to reach out and support young people.  Members were also informed about the targeting of different communities through schools and community work which included sessions in parks, working with a diverse range of young people in various areas.

Members asked about issues related to anti-social behaviour on Metrolink and along that corridor and were informed of the targeted work to address the issue with Greater Manchester Police, Transport for Greater Manchester and Community Safety.

Members sought and received information related to how the youth team programme was determined and prioritised which included detached teams in various areas to build relationships with young people.

Members sought and received information related to volunteering by young people and the youth council which included collections for food banks, fundraising and supporting other ideas from young people.

Members asked how they as elected members could support young people and it was agreed for the Board to meet with the Youth Council to discuss what could be supported locally and borough wide.

Members expressed their thanks and appreciation for what young people were doing and asked for their thanks to be passed on to the Youth Council.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The update and information provided on the Youth Offer be noted.

2.         A meeting be organised for the Overview and Scrutiny Board members to meet with the Youth Council, Cabinet member and Head of the Youth Service to discuss how the Board could provide support.