Proposals for the future of the Isle of Wight Council’s youth service were approved by the council’s Executive on Tuesday.
The approval gives a green light to radical changes to the way youth services are provided on the Island, with a “youth offer” being developed and delivered through the involvement of the community and voluntary sector, with funding and support provided by the council.
The approach will also support the Island’s community and voluntary sector to reach more targeted groups of young people.
The council will now progress its plans, which include:
- The council funding voluntary and community organisations to deliver a “universal youth offer” and providing quality assurance, safeguarding and performance support
- The council ceasing to provide services directly, but allocating funding of £200,000 in 2014/2015 rising to £400,000 in the following two years
- Ensuring that the funding is for a wide range of provision across the Island, with safe and secure places for young people to go
- A particular emphasis on ensuring young people most in need are supported by future providers (working with partner organisations) and are signposted to the appropriate providers
- The council continuing to provide targeted youth support through the Early Help service
- Further work with town and parish councils to explore opportunities for match funding
- Developing a quality assurance and performance management framework (based on good practice) under the new approach.
The proposed changes have been developed following a ‘root and branch’ review of the youth service.
The annual budget for youth services has been earmarked for £200,000 of ongoing savings from April 2014 – part of the council’s overall £28 million savings package over the next three years.
The new approach is designed to create a modern and varied youth service that is accessible and inclusive, while ensuring young people get the right support, in the right place at the right time and know where to go for the right information and advice.
