Agenda item

To consider progress to date with the Haringey Community Gold (HCG) programme.

Eubert Malcolm, the Interim Assistant Director for Stronger Communities, reported on the progress up to quarter four with Haringey Community Gold initiative.  It was aimed at young people at risk of exclusion from school or on the fringe of criminality.   A public health approach was used that focused on strengths.   The aim was to turn lives around and realise potential.  Engagement had taken place with 1364 young people in 2019.  There were also 309 young people completing activities out of original target of 500.  A total of 452 young people had also engaged in aspects of the programme following initial engagement through the outreach team.  Activities had also taken place in schools, including a number on employment issues.  The ethnicity of the largest percentage of participants was Black British.  Payment for the work undertaken as part of the initiative was based on results and £480k had been received so far.

There had been a number of challenges that had been faced in setting up the programme of activities.  It had started late due to issues related to processes, recruitment, training and compliance. The programme had been led by voluntary sector partners, who had then invited the Council to lead the consortium.   There had been alignment difficulties for the delivery of the  programme due to the number and diversity of partners.  The drive to engage large numbers of young people also created an influx of requests which presented capacity challenges to grass roots delivery partners.  In addition, there were also challenges in ensuring that there was the capacity to deliver a service in multiple locations in order to support young people unwilling to travel.

There were a number of objectives for the second year of the programme.  These included:

·         Developing closer working relations with Bruce Grove Youth Centre, Project 2020 and Project Future;

·         Continuing to promote the programme across Haringey and neighbouring boroughs;

·         Finalising the development of the young people’s shadow board to provide a strong voice to influence the delivery of activity; and

·         Supporting employment, physical activity and sports activity to reflect feedback from young people and practitioners. 

In answer to a question, Mr Malcolm stated that there were could be challenges in working with the community.  In particular, it could be difficult addressing challenging behaviour amongst young people.  An evaluation would take place following the second year of the initiative.  This would include case studies that would focus on the changes that the initiative had led to the lives of young people involved.  The initiative would contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Youth at Risk strategy and its associated 10 year action plan. 

In answer to another question, he stated that many young people did not feel comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation and not trusting of figures of authority.  Efforts were being made to involve girls and there were female detached workers undertaking specific work to address this.  There were nevertheless challenges in identifying the sort of activities that young women wanted.  He was happy to report back on progress with this.  There were targets for levels of participation that had been set by the GLA for the three years of the initiative and it was likely that these would be exceeded. 

In answer to a question, Mr Malcolm reported that the initiative was community led and it was partners who had selected the Council to lead the programme.  The Council and its partners were always willing to consider the inclusion of new groups though.  Some groups would need upskilling and there was also a need to support partners.  Some partners were already over providing.  There was a clear project plan.  If targets were not met, the Council and its partners would not be paid the grant funding.

Ann Graham, Director of Children’s Services, reported that the project plan was extensive and included red, amber and green (RAG) ratings.  There were regular meetings between partners and an early warning system in place for any performance issues.  The consortium’s aim was not just to receive the funding but to deliver outcomes.

In answer to a question regarding provision of activities in the south Tottenham area, Mr Malcolm stated that there were detached youth workers working in the area and consideration was being given to expanding activities there.  In addition, some activities had been arranged with Gladesmore School.  Staff would go to any areas of the borough where there was a need.

The Panel noted that the target for the total number of participants in the initiative was 1500 for the year.   There were key performance indicators (KPIs) which could be shared with the Panel in future reports on progress.   It was possible to refer participants in activities to a range of partners.  The Exodus scheme was still in operation in the borough.  Consideration was being given an exit strategy including income streams so that activities could continue when the initiative finished.  Significant funding would be required to ensure sustainability and, in addition, members of the community would need to be provided with the necessary skills.  The summer programme was separate from the initiative. 

In answer to a question, Mr Malcolm stated that the earlier that interventions took place, the better.  Workshops were being undertaken in schools and partners were happy to visits schools that would like ones arranged. The largest cohort of young people involved in the initiative were those between 14 and 16.

The Panel felt thanked officers for the report.  They felt that start of the initiative had been positive and demonstrated good joint working.  It was important that provision was sustainable and alternative sources of funding needed to identified, such as from the National Lottery.  They requested further reports on progress in due course, including monitoring data.

AGREED:

That further reports on progress with the initiative, including monitoring data, be submitted to the Panel.