Agenda item

To review the Council’s youth offer including the funding available to support youth activities such as youth clubs, education, training and employment.

The Director: Education & Skills presented an update to the Committee on the development of Telford and Wrekin’s Youth Offer and Strategy, outlining the statutory responsibilities under Section 507B of the Education Act 1996. This duty required local authorities to secure, as far as reasonably practicable, sufficient educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people, and to ensure that young people’s voices shaped the offer.

Members were informed that the local definition of ‘youth’ within the strategy referred to young people aged 10–19, and up to 25 for those with SEND or additional needs, going beyond the national framework which typically focused on ages 13–19. It was emphasised that the review did not suggest a lack of provision, but rather sought to create a coherent and sustainable framework that brought together all youth services under one umbrella. The aim was to align partners, ensure quality, identify funding streams, and address gaps in provision. Members heard that the strategy also linked into the Children and Young People’s Strategy 2025–2028 and initiatives such as 5 by 5 and 10 by 10.

The Committee heard that the strategy had been shaped by national guidance, including the nine essential elements of youth work set out by the National Youth Agency. The Service Delivery Manager: Achievement & Enrichment explained that significant preparatory work had taken place, including the completion of a Local Needs Assessment to identify gaps in provision and priority groups, extensive engagement with young people through forums, schools and home education networks, and collaboration with the voluntary, community and faith sector to map existing services and understand current strengths and challenges. Officers reported that workforce planning had been undertaken to distinguish between youth activities and youth work?led delivery, and that a Youth Work Curriculum had been developed drawing on national models. Safeguarding had also been embedded throughout the strategy, and monitoring and evaluation tools were being implemented to ensure impact and accountability.

Members were asked to note that young people had consistently highlighted the need for trusted adults, accessible mental health support, safe and welcoming spaces, opportunities to share their views and receive feedback on actions taken, and a broader range of activities, particularly in areas with limited provision. Professionals contributing to the consultation had emphasised the importance of strengthening youth voice, expanding emotional wellbeing support, developing a skilled workforce, securing long-term funding and improving the consistency and accessibility of services. From the consultation, four priority themes had emerged, reflecting the need for young people to play a meaningful role in shaping decisions; the importance of providing high-quality, safe and accessible youth clubs and activities; the need for enhanced support around stress, anxiety and emotional wellbeing; and the importance of ensuring that young people feel safe within their communities.

The proposed Youth Offer had been structured around a three?tier model, beginning with universal youth activities such as urban games, delivered by a range of providers and supported through improved signposting. The second tier focused on targeted youth clubs for priority groups delivered through a new commissioned model, while the third tier consisted of specialist youth support delivered through Family Hubs and partner organisations, including mentoring and more intensive interventions. The Service Delivery Manager: Achievement & Enrichment explained that the model was designed to be targeted to local needs, sustainable through multi?year commissioning, underpinned by quality assurance and safeguarding measures, and flexible in response to ongoing feedback. Progress to date included the re?establishment of the Youth Partnership to bring together providers and commissioners, the appointment of a Youth Development Officer who had led engagement work, the launch of a Youth Provider Network to strengthen collaboration, identification of the need for a digital platform to support the Youth Offer, and the piloting of quality assurance tools to improve safeguarding and service standards. Benchmarking activity had taken place with other authorities, including a peer review process.

The Committee noted the proposed implementation timeline, which included publication of the Youth Strategy in autumn 2025, the development and finalisation of a commissioning framework in winter 2025, engagement with providers and contract awards in spring 2026, and the launch of the commissioned Youth Offer in summer 2026. The Service Delivery Manager: Achievement & Enrichment highlighted that the consultation remained ongoing with young people, providers, schools and communities, alongside work to develop a governance structure to support accountability and long?term delivery.

During discussion, Members commended the progress made and recognised the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive youth offer, particularly for children who may otherwise have limited access to services. Concerns were raised regarding the affordability of activities for families and the suitability of provision during school holidays when parents were working. Officers acknowledged these issues and highlighted the availability of free and low?cost activities supported through a range of funding streams, while noting that wrap?around childcare provision had increased and that further work was taking place to strengthen the holiday offer. Members also acknowledged the wider challenges posed by childcare costs at a national level and welcomed the progress made locally in expanding provision.

The Committee noted the strong offers already in place within some town and parish areas and expressed support for the proposed commissioned model. Members were encouraged to continue working with officers to identify local gaps in provision. Members thanked officers for the detailed update and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development and delivery of the Youth Offer.