Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

None

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5^th March 2018 were agreed as a true record.

(A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up to 5 members of the public on matters within the Panel’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be considered or contribute towards the future development of the Panel’s work programme).

There were no public statements made.

The purpose of this report was for Members to give consideration to reports and presentation’s provided by Doncaster Youth Council that updated the Panel on their priorities and campaigns. The meeting also sought to identify opportunities to work more closely with Children and Young People and build up links with the Youth Council. This meeting formed part of the Take Over Challenge programme offered to children and young people across Doncaster. As part of this meeting the Youth Council job shadowed Panel Members during the course of the meeting and raised questions in relation to the agenda items.

Local Offer Review

Members were informed how in April 2016, Doncaster Council needed to identify a new way of providing a local offer to children and young people as it could no longer provide the resources and staffing.  It was explained that children and young people within clubs and youth centres took part in a consultation exercise to identify what a good local offer could look like. The findings from the consultation would then be used to inform the essential principles of a good local offer for the future.

A presentation was provided that included feedback from children and young people;

The key areas highlighted from the consultation included:

•           Links with the low levels of activity directed for females

•           Lack of consistency in terms of provision

•           Lack of access to Wi-Fi/music which was considered as quite a significant issue for young people.

•           Poor awareness of services available for young people in the local area.

•           Lack of basic provision of items such as pens.

•           Some positive comments were provided, highlighting the supporting volunteers in youth services. 

•           Meaningful awards/certificates - it was suggested that young people could get more involved in obtaining funding as a group which would also act as a positive addition to their applications/CVs as well providing an opportunity to obtain funds.

In respect of what might happen next, it was shared that there needed to be funding that targeted local issues, for example, it was recognised that in Mexborough there was a high level of anti-social behaviour. Members were reminded that providers had already secured a significant amount of funding through the opportunity area programme.

In respect of voluntary sector groups, Panel and Youth Council representatives heard how Expect Youth intended to bring together existing organisations to improve the Youth offer across the Borough.  It was explained that a grant would be made available with a set of principles in place.  It was recognised that a number of staff and volunteers were being trained to work with young people as well as being enabled to support them. 

It was explained that Leanne Hornsby, the Assistant Director, Commissioning and Business Development met regularly with Expect Youth.  It was recognised that the use of social media was an important mechanism to inform others of progress in addition to other channels of communication such as through advertising or schools. 

Members were informed that the main barriers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

The purpose of this report was for Members to give consideration to the Councils current approach to assess what work was being done across the borough to fulfil the priorities and ambitions contained within the Children and Young People’s Plan. The report explained that the Plan was a fundamental part of the Council and with its partners and strategic vision, a commitment was made to assess progress against stated goals on an annual basis.

It was explained that the completed report will help inform work and the focus for the following year by highlighting particular areas and commitments made within the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP).  These included that;

•           A commitment was made to regularly review the performance of the CYPP.

•           The Impact Report will also act as a tool to promote the Plan and its achievements with the wider partnership as well as the people of Doncaster.

•           That key partnership organisations alongside children and young people were consulted with and that contributions were taken into consideration (in relation to Key Performance Indicators).

Members were informed that work outlined in the plan had been well received, a consensus had been built and specific work undertaken which had been widely endorsed.  Members were assured that leadership at the top was behind it.

The following key points were highlighted;

•           That the plan was not as visible as it should be.

•           The delivery of services across Doncaster was too inconsistent and sectors were becoming more fragmented

•           That work needed greater prioritisation to improve its efficacy.

•           That young people wanted more of a focus on Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) and Parental issues

The following key points were raised through the following overarching themes: “Safe, Happy and Healthy, Achieve and Equality”. It was reported that this feedback had taken a lead role in shaping the content and structure of the report as well as informing the statements made about the efficacy of work happening within each theme.   Key points included the following;

1.         “Safe” – That young people did not feel safe within the Town Centre and at the Interchange.

2.         “Happy and Healthy” – Look at improving the local offer and how young people could access services more easily.

3.         “Achieve” - Devise and deliver a core life skills programme that is accessible to all.

4.         “Equality” – Feedback of positive findings through Expect Youth indicating that there was a desire to engage more with young people.

It was stated that young people were keen to celebrate all things positive including outside more typical areas of academic or sporting achievements.

Members were informed that at a strategic level, the Council should ensure that agencies were involved in working to shape how they engage with the plan and maintain a focus on it.  It was explained that a cycle of engagement with young people and other partners needed to be built in to the monitoring process.

It was stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

The purpose of the report presented was for Members to give consideration to an outline of the Child Poverty Commission and a summary of findings prior to the final report being published and launched.  Members received an overview of the methodology applied throughout the Commission, the key themes identified and the subsequent recommendations. 

It was reported that the Young Commissioner’s identified four themes that they felt were the most important to focus on, these included:

1.         Debt and benefits.

2.         Jobs, work and skills.

3.         Mental health.

4.         Moves and changes in young people’s lives (life transitions).

It was reported that over 30% of children in Doncaster were living in poverty.

It was explained that the consultation process involved 10 young people initially and different methods of evidence gathering (that included data analysis and interviews with key stakeholders and seven evidence sessions).  It was added that this process was carried out by seven young commissioners over a number of months and reported that the Commission made 19 recommendations in total across the four themes

Concern was raised regarding the development and monitoring of policy and issues that needed to be addressed such as bulling and not being able to pay dinner money. 

Members spoke about the Children and Families Forum and elected members on those areas to be implemented, collective responsibility build commitment into response which can be supported as well as building relationships with the wider partnership.

It was recognised that fairly challenging agreements Attendance and exclusions and that there would be a response document and Action Plan would be built into the Children and Young People Plan for the next cycle, building in comments from Team Doncaster.  Members were informed that St Ledger Homes Doncaster was a key partner and this work also lined with the Anti-Poverty strategy.

Members were informed that encouraging connections and opportunities with employer encounters was a priority within the Doncaster Opportunity Area.  It was felt that young people needed access to better information and more meaningful experiences.  Reference was also made to the Post 16 Review.  Members were also reminded that the Chamber had an ear and access to the business community, reinforcing a demand led approach at an earlier age.

It was shared that it was vital for there to be wide engagement and the plan would be made available through the Councils website and other appropriate avenues. 

RESOLVED that the Panel note the report.