Applications are being invited from the business, community and voluntary sectors for funding to deliver the Island’s new-look youth services from 1st October this year.
Successful applicants will be expected to deliver universal youth opportunities and positive activities for young people aged 11 to 19, and up to 25 with additional needs within a safe and secure environment. This will include the ability to offer impartial advice, referral routes to support individual and group need, and activities which will help to reduce the demands on social care.
All future services need to be universal for young people in these age groups, but there is a particular emphasis on concurrent provision for disadvantaged groups across the Island.
Isle of Wight Council Executive member for children’s services and education, Councillor Richard Priest, said:
“This is an excellent opportunity for the community, voluntary and business sectors to become involved in developing an innovative and tailor-made youth offer for the Island.
“This new approach has been developed to create a modern and varied youth service that is inclusive and accessible for our young people. It will also ensure our young people get the appropriate support where and when they need it, supported with the right information and advice.
“I would wholeheartedly encourage any interested groups to get in touch and find out about how they could play a positive role in the lives of our young people.”
The closing date for all applications is 30th June 2014. Interested parties and successful applicants will be supported by Trudy Shephard, community youth offer development officer, who can be contacted on (01983) 539375.
The Youth Offer Prospectus and application form can be downloaded from www.communityactionisleofwight.org.uk.
The council approved proposals in April this year to change the way youth services are provided. The changes focused on the Island’s youth offer being developed and delivered through the involvement of other sectors, with funding and support provided by the council.
The changes were developed following a ‘root and branch’ review of the council’s youth service and a consultation exercise involving young people, youth service practitioners, the voluntary and community sector and town and parish councils.
The council is allocating funding of £200,000 in 2014/2015 rising to £400,000 in the following two years to support the new-look youth services.
