Youth Access

Policy Digest 8, September 09

07 September, 2009

 Advice Policy:

Youth Access meet with LSC and MoJ

Youth Access met with both the Legal Services Commission and the Ministry of Justice in August.

At the LSC we were accompanied by colleagues from the Law Centres Federation, Howard League for Penal Reform, Children’s Rights Alliance for England and the Children’s Society. We discussed how we could work together to make the services they fund more accessible to young people in the future and how some of the potentially serious consequences for targeted services of the forthcoming legal aid contractual arrangements might be mitigated.

With the MoJ we discussed issues arising from our response to the Legal Advice at a Local level study and pushed for the MoJ to take a lead in a cross departmental approach top young people’s advice needs.

Further meetings are planned and ideas for joint working are being explored which we will update on as they happen.


Social Exclusion Task Force

We have also worked with the Cabinet Office’s Social Exclusion Task Force in their study on preventing exclusion in the recession. As well as arranging for them to talk to young people about their own experiences of the recession, we hope to arrange for the SETF to speak to practitioners in the next few weeks so that YIAC type services can be recognised in their report as a valuable intervention in the prevention of exclusion.


Youth homelessness – another Lambeth payout

Following the Local Government Ombudsman’s recommendation in May that London Borough of Lambeth pay £3000 to a care leaver they had failed to advise properly (see Policy Digest 5 for more details), the council has again been found to have failed a young person in its’ care. Lambeth both mishandled 19 year old David Henry’s homelessness application and failed to advise him how to properly claim housing benefit. The Ombudsman ordered Lambeth to house Mr Henry and pay him £2000 in compensation for their maladministration. Read the report in CYP Now.

Counselling and Mental Health:

CWDC launches updated CAF and Lead Professional guidance

The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has refreshed the guidance for Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and the Lead Professional (LP). The guidance will help managers and practitioners locally implement the CAF and lead professional role. Read the revised guidance on the DCSF website.


Court of Appeal decision on mental health and human rights

The Court of Appeal has ruled that people with mental illnesses are protected from discrimination by the European Convention on Human Rights. The ruling clarified a grey area in the law. Read more details in this EHRC media release.


New report on homelessness and mental health

St Mungo’s have published a report based on research with their own service users which examines the relationship between rough sleeping and mental ill health. ‘Happiness matters’ concludes that there is a complex 2 way relationship between the two and that there are significant barriers for homeless people in accessing mental health support services. Download the report from the St Mungo’s website.


Minor depression in young people leads to more serious problems later

US research, soon to be published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, reveals that teenagers who suffer minor depression have a greater risk of developing clinical depression, anxiety and eating disorders in later life. The researchers interviewed 755 16-year-olds in 1983, of whom 62 were diagnosed with minor depression. 23 of these were subsequently treated for mental health problems by the age of 22. Read the CYPNow article.


Statistics on CAMHS effectiveness published

The National Indicator "Effectiveness of CAMHS" is a measure of key aspects of service provision that should be in place locally to effectively meet the needs of children and young people with mental health problems. It is a key measure within PSA 12 Child Health and Wellbeing and forms part of the National Indicator Set for local authorities (NI51) and the Vital Signs indicator set for PCTs (VSB12). This statistical release is the first such measure of effectiveness of all local areas and reflects local authorities self assessment. Download the report from the DCSF website.


Improving access to child and adolescent mental health services

This new joint DH/DCSF guide states how the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard applies to non-emergency consultant-led CAMHS services and pathways. The guide does not set any new standards or targets, but shows how accessible low-wait CAMHS can be achieved and provides good practice examples including working with external partners. Download the guide from the DH website.


Big rise in ChildLine calls by young males

Figures from NSPCC reveal that a record number of boys and young men called ChildLine last year.  More than 58,000 phoned the charity in 2007/8 with problems ranging from loneliness to violent abuse. Most calls to ChildLine are from girls and young women - but during the past five years the proportion made by boys rose from one in every five to one in every three. Read the NSPCC press release.


Third of girls suffer sexual abuse in relationships

A third of teenage girls suffer sexual abuse in a relationship and a quarter experience violence at the hands of their boyfriends, research by the NSPCC and University of Bristol found. Read the BBC News article.

Youth Policy and Social Inclusion:

NCVYS launches Safe Systems safeguarding accreditation scheme

On the 29 September 2009 NCVYS will be launching a new safeguarding accreditation scheme. ‘Safe Systems’ will help small to medium organisations achieve good safeguarding practice and provides an introductory level of achievement towards the established NCVYS Sound Systems accreditation scheme. For more information about this scheme and to attend the launch on 29 September in London email Chris Brewster, NCVYS Safeguarding Officer or telephone 07971 054925. Read further information on the NCVYS website.


T2A Green Paper on young adults in the CJS – joint consultation events

The Transition to Adulthood Alliance (T2A) has published ‘A New Start’, a paper calling for a radically different approach to young adults in the criminal justice system which is proportionate to their maturity and responsive to their specific needs. The proposals are open for consultation until 9 October 2009. NCVYS and T2A will be hosting three free consultation events and travel for small organisations will be reimbursed. The consultation events will be held in Bristol (26/08), Manchester (10/09) and London (23/09).  Read more details on the T2A website.


Care Leavers

Care leavers need to be given greater support to help them live independently, according to research by the National Care Advisory Service. The Journey Home: Accommodation issues facing young people leaving care calls for a wide range of support measures, including advice and guidance, to be put in place to reduce the current disproportionately large number of the care leavers who become homeless each year. Download the report from the Leaving Care website.

At the same time, almost half of children in care worry about other people knowing their background, mainly because they fear being judged, bullied or treated differently, according to a report by Children’s Rights Director for England, Dr Roger Morgan. ‘Care and prejudice’ surveyed 362 children from children’s homes and foster care across the country. Children in care are worried most about employers, other children and young people, and possible landlords finding out they are from care. Download the report from the Ofsted website.


More support for victims of crime and ex-offenders

Following successful pilots, the Government is seeking to roll out projects aimed at supporting young victims including providing counselling. The Youth Taskforce will be supporting the Youth Crime Action Plan priority areas to deliver work to support young victims. Read the MoJ media release.

At the same time, the Youth Justice Board has announced plans to improve support for young people once they have left custody. The Integrated Resettlement Support programme will replace a five-year resettlement pilot.
The voluntary scheme is designed to help young people with the transition from custody back into the community. Read the CYPNow article.


The ‘Team Around School’

The Confederation of Heads of Young People’s Services (previously APYCO - the Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers), has published new guidance focusing on the concept of the 'Team Around the School'. The project identifies the contribution of youth work and success factors that can improve students' experience of and achievement in formal education. Read more on the CHYPS website.


LGA appoints new children and young people board chair

Shireen Ritchie, lead member for children's services in Kensington and Chelsea, has been appointed as the new chair of the Local Government Association's (LGA) children and young people board. Read more in the CYPNow article.

Health:

New report makes the case for contraception and sexual health services

'Contraception and sexual health services for young people' is a briefing from the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group published. The briefing outlines the cost-effectiveness of investing in sexual health services for young people and recommends that contraception and sexual health services for all young people are located in accessible settings (such as schools, colleges, outreach services and other youth settings). Download briefing from the DCSF website.


Latest STI figures released

New statistics from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show that the 16-24 year old population accounts for more than half of all new STIs diagnosed in the UK, despite making up only 12% of the total population.

Meanwhile, teenage pregnancy and STI rates for young people in London are still amongst the worst in the country, a new report for the London Assembly reveals. In 2007, teenage pregnancy rates in 18 London boroughs were higher than the national average. In some London boroughs, such as Southwark and Lambeth, 1 in 13 of 15 -17year olds fell pregnant. Read the CYPNow article.


New findings on alcohol and substance use among 11 to 15 year olds

The latest report on smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2008 shows that nearly one in five children aged 11 to 15 had drunk alcohol in the previous week. The NHS Information Centre found that over a third of this age group consumed more than 15 units of alcohol with girls drinking on average one unit a week less than boys. The proportion of children who say they have never drunk alcohol has dropped, but those who do drink are consuming more on average. Read the NHS media release and download the report.


New DCSF research on young people and alcohol published

A new report has been published for DCSF seeking to understand the role of alcohol in young people’s lives has been published by researchers at the University of London. The report is based on research with young people recruited through youth services with a focus on those who use alcohol problematically and considers the relationship to family and cultural factors. Among other conclusions it finds alcohol use frequently associated with boredom. Download the report from the DCSF website.


Response on young people and alcohol consultation

The government has published the responses to its consultation on the Youth Alcohol Action Plan. The consultation, which included guidance drawn up by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), asked how best to help young people make informed choices about alcohol consumption. Parents and young people mostly agree with the CMO’s guidance which suggests that young people should not consume alcohol under the age of 15 and between 15 and 17 any alcohol consumption should be with the guidance or supervision of parents and carers. Read the DCSF media release.


Health profiles 2009

Health profiles provides a snapshot of health for each local council in England using key health indicators, enabling comparison locally, regionally and over time. They are used to help local councils and the NHS decide where to target resources and tackle health inequalities in their local area. Read the 2009 profiles on the APHO website.


Survey to build knowledge of female genital mutilation

The government is encouraging medical professionals to complete a survey throughout September to increase its knowledge of female genital mutilation (FGM). The study of FGM, also known as female genital cutting, will be used to identify the need for extra training for health professionals and provide information to improve sexual health services. It will also feed into the government's plans to confront violence against women and girls. Health workers including those who specialise in sexual health can complete an online form to help with research.

Recession News:

Latest NEET and unemployment statistics

Figures for quarter two of 2009 show 11.9% of 16-18 year olds were NEET, a 1.3% increase on the same period in 2008. There are now almost 960,000 16-24 year old NEETs in England, of whom more than 230,000 are 16 -18. Download the statistics from the DCSF website.

There are now 928,000 jobless young people in Britain of whom 206,000 are aged 16 or 17 and 722,000 are aged 18 to 24.

There are 472,100 18- to 24-year-olds claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and nearly a quarter of those who became unemployed in the three months to June 2009 were under 25.  Read more in this article from The Independent.


2 million children in homes with no working adult

New ONS statistics reveal that the number of children in workless households rose by 170,000 to 1.9 million in April-June of this year, compared with the same period last year. One in six children now live in homes where there is no adult in employment. Read The Guardian article.


A matter of life and death

Director General of Schools recently told a London conference that he had seen research which showed that, in one Northern city at least, 1 in 7 long term NEETs died with 10 years of falling out of the system. Read the Daily Telegraph article.


Audit Commission warns on long term effects of recession

A report by the Audit Commission warns councils to brace themselves against a 'second wave' of social problems resulting from the recession. The report warns that Britain faces a rise in domestic violence, alcoholism and drug abuse unless more is done to combat the social problems associated with rising unemployment. It finds that demand for benefits, welfare and debt counselling have already risen in many places and that more funding is needed for social care and mental health support. Download the report from the Audit Commission website.


New report warns of bleak prospects

A new report from the Princes Trust warns that one in five of this year's GSCE takers could be on the dole by the age of 21 if trends follow those of the 1980s recession. Such a bleak outcome is not inevitable however, as report author Professor Danny Dorling of Sheffield University identifies sectors in the job market such as health, social care and some aspects of hospitality as areas that could potentially experience growth in the current economic climate. Read ‘The prospects of this year’s school leavers’ online.


More children living in poverty in recession

The number of pupils receiving free school meals has risen for the first time in four years, according to figures from the 2009 school census. Those eligible for rose from 15.5 to 15.9% in nursery and primary schools, from 13.1 to 13.4% in secondary schools and from 31.6 to 32.1% in special schools. Read more in this report from The Guardian.


Targeted Support Fund payments allocated

The Targeted Support Fund has announced over 500 voluntary and community sector recipients. The Fund provides grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 to smaller frontline service providers in 50 local areas considered particularly at risk during this year due to the recession. Grants have been awarded under three themes: employment and employability; information advice and guidance, and health and wellbeing. Case studies of some of the recipients have been published, though a full list of recipients does not seem to be yet available.

If any Youth Access member was successful in obtaining TSF funding, please email Steve Lee or call on 020-8772 9900 to let us have details.


Council wins £500k for cutting NEETs numbers

Somerset County Council, in partnership with Somerset Connexions, has been awarded half a million pounds from Central Government for successfully cutting local NEETs numbers.  Between 2006 and 2009, the percentage of local NEETs aged 16 to18 fell from 4.8% to 3.8%. The rate is now nearly half the national average.  Read the CYPNow article.


BYC online recession survey

The British Youth Council is running an online survey to find out how the current economic situation is impacting on the lives of young people.  Results from the survey will be fed back to the Office for the Third Sector and other decision-makers.  The deadline to take part is Sunday 20 September. Young people can complete the survey through Survey Monkey.



Youth led organisations:

New Forum proposed to develop Youth Led sector
IARS, the youth led think tank and research organisation, has published a report on the effects of the recession on youth led organisations, which sets out a manifesto for the development of the youth led sector. Among the recommendations is that funders should actively encourage youth led organisations to form partnerships to bid for contracts. Download the report from the IARS website.

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