Background
Leeds Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS) was seeking to construct a new high-quality youth service during a major revamp of the overall design and delivery of its children's services provision, and with a 20 per cent reduction in budgets.
The local authority had already established an effective partnership with the statutory and voluntary sector. This group agreed a common approach and set of principles to youth work, which were built on during the Routes to Success pilot.
Challenges and issues
Leeds IYSS identified three specific issues for the NYA Routes to Success pilot programme. These were:
- Involving youth service partners in developing a new youth offer for the city with reduced funding
- Identifying and promoting the value of youth work as a means of improving outcomes for young people
- Promoting the value and impact of youth work in addressing Leeds' "obsessions"
How Routes to Success supported change and improvement
NYA provided consultancy support, including the design and delivery of two events that aimed to address the identified issues.
The first event brought IYSS managers from the statutory and voluntary sectors together to look at national and local approaches and issues, and invite them to engage in an outcomes-based accountability planning process to increase the effectiveness of youth work in contributing to local priorities for young people.
The second event engaged a wider group of stakeholders to include them in shaping and demonstrating the value of youth work in addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable young people in the city.
Impact
Among many positive outcomes, Routes to Success and working with the NYA has:
- Contributed to the production of a crucial report by providing excellent local evidence of how youth work works
- Given the youth service a greater clarity on its future role and contribution to local priorities
- Provided understanding to the value of youth work as a methodology for improving outcomes for young people among a wider group of partners
- Increased the profile of the service with both elected members and senior council officers
- Enabled young people who presented their stories to gain a positive experience and boost their confidence
A senior strategic officer from Leeds City Council commented that although the timing of the Routes to Success pilot was challenging, it has assisted Leeds IYSS to move forward quickly and with greater clarity about how best to meet the needs of young people with reduced resources.
