Decision details

Investing In Young People

Decision Maker: Co-operative Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

The report will present the findings and recommendations of the Leader’s review of Young People Services which was initiated following the Cabinet decision in July 2018. The report will include recommendations as to the preferred way forward which Cabinet will be asked to approve. Cabinet will also be asked to approve and delegate to the Executive Director the authority to implement the outcome of the review and undertake a redesign or recommissioning process to establish a new service model.

Decision:

13.1

The Executive Director, People Services submitted a report setting out the conclusions of the Leader of the Council’s Review of Youth and Young People Services. The report outlines future strategic ambitions to support the young people of Sheffield through a new integrated delivery model. This will be supported by additional investment of £2m in resources in 2020-21 with an ambition to identify additional mainstream funding through the Council’s budget process in future years.

 

It was reported that the Leader’s review had concluded that to deliver an inclusive, ambitious and collaborative strategy for youth services supported by a further £2m of additional investment the current contract will not be retendered and a new enhanced, integrated delivery model will support a new strategic youth offer.

 

13.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

 

(a) notes the findings of the Leader Review of Youth Services;

 

(b) endorses and approves the ambitions and proposals set out in this report, to support and improve the lives of young people in Sheffield;

 

(c) notes the concurrent decision made in the Council Meeting of 4th March 2020 to invest an additional £2m to further develop young people’s services in 2020-21, with an ambition to identify additional mainstream funding through the Council’s budget process in future years; and

 

(d) agrees not to retender the current contract for Youth Services when it

expires.

 

13.3

Reasons for Decision

 

The Leader review of youth services concluded that with the additional

investment outlined in this report there is an opportunity to have a more

ambitious offer for young people in our city that will enhance the support

and outcomes for young people through greater alignment and integration across Council services. It is expected that some commissioning activity across the city will form part of the way forward, and a Leader Decision in April will set out more detailed delivery options.

 

The consolidation and increased investment affords the opportunity to

provide a coherent and holistic service to young people that will support

and inspire them to achieve their full potential and contribute to the future

prosperity of the city of Sheffield.

 

The strategic approach set out in this report will provide a more ambitious

youth offer with a coordinated set of provision and support for the young

people of Sheffield and enable them to fulfil their potential. It will enable

the Council to take a flexible and integrated approach in future to provision for young people. A wider strategic citywide approach will enable the Council to engage with a range of other partners, including the NHS, Police, Schools, Communities and the Voluntary Sector, to coordinate resources and approaches across the city.

 

 

13.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

The Review of Services considered a range of potential options and

service delivery to reach its final conclusions about the ambitions and

priorities for a new strategic approach to support young people. The

proposals set out in this report are considered to represent the best way to improve the lives of young people in Sheffield.

 

A number of options to secure the delivery of services in the future have

also been considered through the Leader Review. These include

retendering the current services through a contract, considering the

possibility of a Sheffield Youth ‘Trust’ or ‘Youth Mutual’, or some kind of

alternative arm’s length organisational structure. Further detail on these

alternatives and their appraisal will be set out in more detail for the Leader to consider in April.

 

 

13.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

13.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

13.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

John Macilwraith, Executive Director, People

 

 

13.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Children, Young People and Family Support.

 

Report author: Sam Martin

Publication date: 19/03/2020

Date of decision: 18/03/2020

Decided at meeting: 18/03/2020 - Co-operative Executive

Effective from: 26/03/2020

This decision has been called in by:

Accompanying Documents: