Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on progress on the transformation of services for young people currently located at Castlegate.

Resolved:  That the Executive agree to:                           

(i)           Continue to deliver the current range of services from Castlegate as outlined in Option 2, in the report, with continued engagement with partners to develop new, innovative and sustainable models of delivery which provides targeted advice and  support for vulnerable young people, 16-24yrs

(ii)          Proceed with Option 2 for the remainder of 2015/16 with a view to agreeing a sustainable model described in paragraph 17, in the report, to be implemented in 2016/17.  A detailed proposal and business case for this remodelled service will be developed through the YorOK Board sub-group and be presented to the Executive in October 2015

Reason:   To allow evidence based practice to emerge from other transformed areas of children’s services and delivery and other partnership funding streams to be identified. 

The Executive considered an update report on progress of the transformation of services for young people currently located at Castlegate. The report provided a summary of the work that had taken place since February to develop a new, innovative and sustainable model for youth advice and support services.

The Executive Member confirmed the need for financial savings and to the commitment to retain the service in the city centre together with a full range of services, which had the support of young people.

The Assistant Director (Education and Skills)confirmed details of ongoing work with service users to reshape the service through the YorOk Board and to work with partners including the Clinical Commissioning Group and Primary Care Trust to access sources of funding to ensure this was a sustainable service.

In answer to some Members concerns regarding the report reference to the possibility of Castlegate not being an option due to its sale to the Civic Trust, the Chair confirmed that there were no ongoing negotiations with the Trust in this regard.

Consideration was given to the following options and timeline for developing and implementing the new service:

Option 1 - This option was put to Cabinet in October 2014.  The YorOK sub group felt that the preferred option in the original business case should continue to be discussed as there were merits in the proposal related to the opportunities to co-locate a range of services and partners in an existing city centre venue currently used by some groups of young people which required further consideration.

Option 2 - To continue to fund and deliver existing services from Castlegate until April 2016 to allow for the development of a sustainable integrated youth advice and support service.               

Resolved:  That the Executive agree to:

(i)           Continue to deliver the current range of services from Castlegate as outlined in Option 2, in the report, with continued engagement with partners to develop new, innovative and sustainable models of delivery which provides targeted advice and  support for vulnerable young people, 16-24yrs

(ii)          Proceed with Option 2 for the remainder of 2015/16 with a view to agreeing a sustainable model described in paragraph 17, in the report, to be implemented in 2016/17.  A detailed proposal and business case for this remodelled service will be developed through the YorOK Board sub-group and be presented to the Executive in October 2015. ^1.

Reason:   To allow evidence based practice to emerge from other transformed areas of children’s services and delivery and other partnership funding streams to be identified.