Agenda item

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Head of the Rotherham Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS) (Schools and Lifelong Learning, Children and Young People’s Services), which outlined progress made towards the creation of an Integrated Youth Service for Rotherham’s young people.  Further to Minute No. E4 (Rotherham Integrated Youth Support Service – Update) of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Cohesion held on 24^th June, 2013, a further update was now presented. 

A draft version of the Rotherham IYSS Service Specification document had also been submitted.  The Specification had been developed in partnership with RMBC’s Commissioning Service and contained an overview of the core business of the IYSS and information about how the Service’s work would be operationally implemented. 

The Service Specification had been subject to consultation with stakeholders who had been instrumental in the development of the new Service and its expectations.  A shorter version of the Specification would be produced and used by the Service’s workers on a day-to-day basis and as part of the performance measurement and monitoring of the Service.  The Head of Service explained that it would shortly become a statutory requirement for all Youth Support Services to publish a specification document.  Rotherham’s IYSS would publish their Service Specification ahead of the statutory requirement, and this document would form the basis to the local plan that would be produced by each area team of the IYSS. 

The covering report also appraised the Cabinet Member of Rotherham’s responsibilities in relation to the Raising Participation offer, whereby the Local Authority would have a duty to ensure that every 16–18 year old in the Borough had a ‘September offer’, and that the Local Authority also influenced the development of provision to meet the needs of young people in their locality, provide support to young people not in education, employment and training, and track outcomes for the 16-19 cohort.  The risks in relation to Rotherham, including those currently affecting performance, were outlined within the report.  The Rotherham IYSS had held collaboration sessions with other areas of Children and Young People’s Services to map provision and to strengthen the offer provided for young people. 

The IYSS staffing structure was in place and the Service had undergone a ‘soft launch’ to ensure that provision was in place over the summer months and that transitions between young people and their named workers could begin. 

A programme of events had been planned between 24^th and 26^th July, 2013, to widely promote the IYSS to young people, their parents and carers and other stakeholders.  This included handing out promotional materials in the Town Centre and across the Borough detailing the services and the provision available.  The Eric Manns building would also be officially opened, including a plaque being unveiled in the building by a member of former Councillor Eric Manns family.  It was hoped that all users of the building would be inspired to achieve the best they could after reading about the former Councillor’s life and career. 

A project group were working on an internet site that would be hosted by the RMBC website but would have a unique look and feel.  A working group of young people were involved in the design of the site.  A wide-range of social media and communications, including an iPhone/Smart phone application, Facebook/Twitter and texting were being considered as communication methods. 

A budget had been profiled for the new Service and the current projection was that the Service would outturn within budget at the end of the 2013/2014 financial year. 

The Head of Service had met with other Managers in Children and Young People’s Services and had provided a good practice case study on service transformation. 

Resolved: - (1)  That the information shared be noted. 

(2)  That further updates be provided to the Cabinet Member in relation to the Rotherham Integrated Youth Support Service in due course. 

(3)  That a Council Seminar be held for all Elected Members in relation to the new Rotherham Integrated Youth Support Service and the Service’s structure and provision across the Borough.