15/03/2012
The council is looking to make two key changes to the
services young people use.
➜ Specialist support services
The council wants to create a new team which brings together a wide range of staff who currently
provide youth work, information, advice and guidance, sexual health / teenage pregnancy, substance
misuse and youth justice services.
This team would provide support to young people when they are in most need of it. Working with the
young person, the team would provide additional support on things such as family or relationship
problems, drug and alcohol issues, school, anti social behaviour, low confidence, etc.
Young people or families may request help and support or a school, health worker, youth worker or
another agency may refer a young person to a service if needed.
The council wants your views on what types of services you may need and whether you think this
support team should be part of the council or provided by another organisation such as a charity or
private provider.
➜ Universal youth services and activities
The council wants to ensure that more money gets spent on activities for young people to take part in,
rather than spending money on buildings.
We want to work more closely with local organisations, who can run services for young people and to
provide a wide range of activities for you to take part in.
The council will be providing some money to help run activities for young people. These activities will be
promoted so that you know what is going on and how to use them.
The council wants to transfer the running of local youth centres to community organisations such as
town or parish councils, schools, charities or private providers.
This would mean that the council would stop running your youth centres. The building (if the council
owns it) and the programme of activities would be run by another organisation. This could mean that the
services you get may change or be run by different people. If no-one comes forward to run the centre it
might have to close and you may have to go somewhere else to access activities and support.
The council will continue to help you to participate and have your say on issues that affect you and have
your achievements recognised through accreditation, like the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award Scheme.
