The National Youth Agency's new organisational development associate consultants are now working in support of the seven youth services that were previously judged as inadequate by Ofsted. These are Bolton, Cambridgeshire, Halton, Merton, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Torbay. Initial meetings with two additional services have also taken place and agreements about the type and level of support to be provided by The NYA are being formulated.

A special Development Day for consultants took place on 15 March. The purpose of the day was to develop a shared understanding of the key strategic issues facing youth services (in the context of the youth green paper) and to further develop The National Youth Agency's capacity to support managers in addressing these. Another aim is to enhance the Agency's capacity to work together by reflecting on the positives, negatives and uncertainties from the experience to date. This event will help ensure that the associate consultant team can work to a common set of principles, are able to identify the support they require and explore ways of sharing learning across The NYA.

For further information on The National Youth Agency's organisational development scheme, contact Harriet Gore, team manager, at harrietg@nya.org.uk or by phone on 0116 242 7486. Alternatively, visit The National Youth Agency web site at www.nya.org.uk.