Agenda item

The Youth Councillors provided the Panel with an update on the “Child Voice Pathways”.

It was highlighted that the Youth Council had been consulting with young people over the last 12 months about what was important to them.  This information was shared with decision makeers and has been used to help  develop the Children and Young Peoples Plan.  To launch the Plan an event was held for children, young people and families, the event was planned and facilitated by the Youth Council.  As part of the launch event the Youth Council wished to highlight and promote positive images of children and young people by showcasing some of the many opportunities and activities that young people are involved in across Doncaster.  To ensure interaction at the event the Children and Young Peoples Plan video was shown followed by a question and answer panel session.  This provided an opportunity for children and young people and families to speak directly to decision makers.  Every school child and young person that was involved with the filming and the event were provided with a copy of the Children and Young Peoples Plan  and child friendly video.

The Children and Young People’s Plan would be monitored by the Youth Council with a proposal to host 3 annual summits planned as detailed below.  It was anticipated that the half day sessions would be divided into activity workshops focusing on giving children and young people the opportunity to discuss how Doncaster is progressing against the priorities outline in the Children and Young Peoples Plan.

Annual Summits

March, 2018 – Primary Schools;

April, 2018 – Secondary Schools;  and

May, 2018 – Other groups for example, special educational needs and disabilities and Apprentices.

Work was currently ongoing to develop youth surgeries in wards across the Borough, hopefully to commence in September, ensuring there was a wide range of voices heard.  This had previously been trialled and proved that relationships between Ward Members and young people had grown and it was an area the Youth Council was keen to redevelop.  The surgeries would provide another pathway to capture the voice of children and young people.

In response to questions from the Panel the Youth Councillors confirmed that their voices were being heard.  They had a comprehensive structure in place and met with students from across the Borough including young carers, LGBT and Ladder group with outcomes from discussions taken to the Director of People and Cabinet Members.

The Panel noted that there were approximately 4 schools that did not take part with Youth Council activities but work was being undertaken with them to ensure full school engagement.

It was reported to the Panel that the two priorities for the Youth Council to address were transport and emotional health.  One young person gave an example that due to current bus service schedules she was late to school every morning which had required her to arrange a late arrival pass with school ensuring her attendance record was not affected.

RESOLVED:  that the report and discussion, be noted and the Chair forward and email to the Mayor relating to the Committee’s concerns with regard to some bus service schedules.