Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of the Children and Young People’s Service) To seek authority for the proposed commissioning approach to the delivery of some Connexions services from April 2008.

Connexions Services from April 2008 (Report of the Director of the Children and Young People’s Services – Agenda Item 9)

With the consent of the Committee the box in Appendix 2 to the interleaved report  in relation to post 16 provision was amended to read as follows -

‘To directly contract with schools who have a sixth form and the sixth form centre through a Service Level Agreement.

To prepare a contract waiver and award for post 16 provision through CoNEL.

To deliver PA support for young people in work based learning as part of targeted support.’

In response to a question about apprenticeships, we noted that engagement with employers to ensure that there were work opportunities and apprenticeships available formed part of the delivery of the Connexions service.

RESOLVED

That approval be granted to the commissioning approach to the delivery of Connexions services from April 2008 as detailed below –

1.      Provision of in-house centrally managed services

a) Targeted information, advice and guidance service

Target Group

Young people 13-19 and up to 25 who had a special need where there were additional factors which could impact on their engagement such as mental health or teenage pregnancy.

Internal Services - Delivery Approach

This area of work to be delivered by Personal Advisers (PA) allocated to the specialist teams providing support and the PA staff be managed by those teams e.g. Youth Offending Team.  There would also need to be a small central team who worked with targeted groups who were not covered within the specialist teams.

This to be quality assured through a separate centralised QA team within the 14-19 section.

b) Intensive intervention information, advice and guidance

Target Group

Young people 13-19 and up to 25 who had a special need where there were exceptional factors that were preventing their re-engagement with education, training or employment and those who were NEET.

Internal Services - Delivery Approach

This area of work to be delivered through the Connexions central team  focused on working with young people who were NEET. It would link with contracting for provision through local providers including the voluntary sector for entry to employment type programmes.

c) Quality Assurance

Target Group

Systems and processes for delivery to all young people. 

Internal Services - Delivery Approach

The Children & Young People’s Service, 14-19 team to take overall lead on quality assurance as part of the reshaping of the service.

The role to include a scrutiny function linked to Performance Management and Workforce Development below.

d) Performance management

Target Group

All staff

Internal Services - Delivery Approach

This area of work to be managed by the Head of Youth Service with close links to the QA function above, as part of the reshaping of the service. 

All staff to be part of a performance management scheme.

e) Increasing participation

Target Group

Young people 13-19 and up to 25 who had a special need

Internal Services - Delivery Approach

This area of work to be managed by the Head of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17