Lead Member – Councillor Ed Potter – Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services

Report of the Director of Children’s Services attached

Contact:  Karen Bradshaw 01743 254201

RESOLVED:

a)    To cease the current commissioning model via the LJCs.

b)    To agree a new model of Targeted Youth Support, which will be managed in-house as part of Shropshire’s Children’s Services Early Help provision.  This model will be trialled, developed and implemented between April 2020 and March 2021.

c)    To agree that further work takes place between Shropshire Council officers and town and parish councils, to agree the commissioning of open access youth support/clubs.

d)    Whilst agreeing to a new model being fully implemented by April 2021, to agree to a phased withdrawal of funding for universal open access between the period March 2020-March 2021, as new agreements are made with providers.

e)    To agree that Shropshire Council explore alternative models of support to the voluntary sector, currently delivering universal open access youth clubs; this would include DBS checks, training, implementation of appropriate policies and procedures and assistance to support future financial sustainability.

f)       To agree that in the new model we will work to the principles as set out in paragraph 5.5.1.

g)    To agree to delegate to the Executive Director of Children’s Services the ability to deliver the recommendations as set out above in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services introduced the report, the recommendations within which had been informed by extensive consultation and a Task and Finish Group report.  The council was acutely aware of challenges facing children in the county, particularly those vulnerable to county lines operations and exploitation.     

The new model would provide an opportunity for multi-agency partnership work across all sectors to strengthen and grow the current limited offer of support and would extend the focus to incorporate Shropshire’s troubled and more vulnerable young people. 

An opposition party Group Leader said he had identified some concerns in relation to the report and said that although the ESIIAs assessment had been updated in November 2019, it had been signed off in August 2019 which had been before the consultation had started.  In addition, LJCs had not been consulted as they had not been allowed the opportunity to meet; public responses to the consultation only represented a small proportion of consultee respondents; and finally he felt that this was too hurried an approach as many Parish and Town Councils had already set their precepts for 2020 – 2021.  

In response, the Portfolio Holder said that he was satisfied with the way the consultation had been conducted, and that he himself had attended many events.  Shropshire Youth Association had helped to promote the consultation which had included the Tuition Medical Behaviour Support Service.  Youth provision was not being withdrawn and there was no desire to see open access youth clubs closed. Work would be undertaken to support their retention.  It was important to remember that not all young people attended youth clubs and those most at risk probably did not.

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder said concerns to the proposals raised through the consultation had been addressed and an adjustment made so that provision of support for training and DBS checks would be made available, training could be provided, and though a proposed gradual implementation of the model.  He acknowledged that the report had been delayed for a number of reasons including the snap general election and that this had resulted in a narrowed time period available for town and parish councils to discuss provision ahead of setting precepts.  

The Chair of the Task and Finish Group said the Group had identified that circumstances were now very different for children and young people from the time when LJC contracts had been set up.  The new approach would help children and young people who were not currently accessing youth services whilst remaining conscious of budget constraints.  The Task and Finish Group intended to reconvene and review progress after a suitable amount of time. 

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Place Planning and Regulatory Services reported that youth provision had been one of the top five key issues identified following the consultation on the Community and Rural Strategy.  This new partnership approach would allow delivery to young people across the whole of the county and help tackle county lines and exploitation.

The opposition party Group Leader expressed concern that there was a danger of losing open access youth clubs in rural areas with one already due to close at the end of March.  He recognised that outreach provision would improve but was concerned that universal provision would be lost. 

The Deputy Leader reported on circumstances in his electoral division with one Parish Council intending to use a local provider for youth services and another with a private youth club.  The standard services of the past did not work in rural areas with different needs. 

Cabinet members were satisfied with the recommendations set out within the report. 

RESOLVED:

a)    To cease the current commissioning model via the LJCs.

b)    To agree a new model of Targeted Youth Support, which will be managed in-house as part of Shropshire’s Children’s Services Early Help provision.  This model will be trialled, developed and implemented between April 2020 and March 2021.

c)    To agree that further work takes place between Shropshire Council officers and town and parish councils, to agree the commissioning of open access youth support/clubs.

d)    Whilst agreeing to a new model being fully implemented by April 2021, to agree to a phased withdrawal of funding for universal open access between the period March 2020-March 2021, as new agreements are made with providers.

e)    To agree that Shropshire Council explore alternative models of support to the voluntary sector, currently delivering universal open access youth clubs; this would include DBS checks, training, implementation of appropriate policies and procedures and assistance to support future financial sustainability.

f)       To agree that in the new model we will work to the principles as set out in paragraph 5.5.1.

g)    To agree to delegate to the Executive Director of Children’s Services the ability to deliver the recommendations as set out above in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.