This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Isle of Wight Council plans to modernise its youth services and ensure they become available to more people have been published (embedded below for you convenience).
Following extensive consultations and a review of the service which was first undertaken in 2008, the council’s plans will be discussed by members of the Cabinet on 21 June.
The current youth service remains very buildings based. Research has shown that only around 16% of young people aged 13 – 19 use the service.
Moving away from buildings
The council wants to modernise the service by focusing on working with local communities and groups and moving away from managing unsustainable buildings including some existing youth centres. There will be an area based structure to the council run service with partnership boards being set up.
These would be made up of qualified practitioners, local community and youth groups, young people, faith groups and potentially other partners such as town and parish councils. The council hopes that community volunteers currently sitting and working on management committees to play an active part in the new arrangements.
Focus on activities
The service will focus on offering youth activities, including outreach services, where young people want to or already go, such as youth cafes or skate parks, rather than offering repeat activities in old buildings which are unpopular.
The only youth centres which would continue to be run by the council would become hubs for area based activities.
Time to finalise approach
Barry Abraham, IW Council Cabinet member responsible for the youth service said “This review has been going on for more than three years now and it is time for us to finalise our approach towards the introduction of a new service that is more efficient and cost effective.
“We have a statutory duty to provide youth services for young people aged 13 – 19 and up to 24 for those with learning difficulties. The current youth service is not accessible consistently by young people with disabilities and the new structure will address that and become accessible for all.
“The Island’s Youth Service needs to move away from a model which sees young people going to a youth centre in the same location on one particular night and doing the same activities week after week. Young people’s tastes and indeed technology have changed significantly since the original service was set up and the new service will address that.
“When we started this review process we were spending around £71 per young person on the current set up, compared to £52 by our near neighbours and that is something that we must address in these current times of austerity.”
Cabinet members to debate proposals
At the Cabinet meeting on 21 June, members are recommended to agree a period for representations on the proposed changes to run from the date of any Cabinet decision being implemented until 30 September.
The respective Cabinet member will then make a decision on the implementation of the new youth service structure under delegated powers in October.
Youth centres to be reduced
The council currently runs 12 youth centres across the Island. Under the plans, this would be reduced although the local authority will work with groups who may be interested in using the buildings.
As part of the proposed move to the new areas and partnership board approach the current staffing will need to be restructured. Staff will be consulted on the changes once the final decision has been made. They will have the opportunity to be part of the new structure going forward.
Click on the full screen icon in the bottom left to see larger version
