Agenda item

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 attendance of decision makers had improved over two summits and the importance of maintaining the momentum of this was recognised.

In terms of communication, Members were informed that there will be a yearly plan produced.  It was explained that once the plan had been finalised, it would be made accessible through the use of plain language infographics and made available through social media.

Councillor Robinson commented that there wasn’t a 10-hour offer in place within her ward of Edenthorpe and Kirk Sandall, although there was a determination that everything would be done that was key to the plan. 

It was advised that the Local Offer was there to develop Youth Strategies for young people to develop an understanding through the analysis and by identifying what gaps exist and what worked with partners.  It was expressed that there needed to be a strategic set of expectations and baselines in place

RESOLVED that the Panel note the report.