Bristol youth services outsourced in £22m deal
Neil Puffett
Friday, September 28, 2012
A major reorganisation of young people's services in Bristol has resulted in £22m of contracts being awarded for provision over the next five years.
The new service, known as Bristol Youth Links, will see two consortia – Learning Partnership West and Creative Youth Network – provide services including youth groups, play, advice and guidance, and support to help young people volunteer across seven areas of the city.
A single consortium lead by Bristol Drugs Project will also provide additional city-wide provision, including counselling, alcohol and drug prevention, work to reduce teen pregnancies, and support for groups with particular needs, such as disabilities.
Rose Richards, service manager for youth and play, said the decision to tender contracts has effectively protected service levels, compared to the alternative of “salami-slicing”.
“We have suffered significant budget reductions like everyone – more than 20 per cent since 2008, the majority of which was in government funding,” she said. “Services have been incrementally reduced over the past couple of years.
“From the analysis we have done, services will probably be at the same level they currently are, as a result of the new contracts, and possibly a bit higher. Our ultimate aim is it that it will improve the outcomes for children and young people.
“By integrating services, staff will be working closer together and will not be chasing around for different young people.”
The changes will see around 70 council staff transfer to new providers.
The council’s in-house team currently numbers 90 but will be trimmed down to six senior practitioners, three relationships and community workers and up to eight youth and community professionals.
The remaining in-house team will work with children and young people and providers to check on the quality, drive improvement and monitor targets.
“We are not just handing a cheque to providers – we are working really closely to manage relationships,” Richards said.
Two young people featured on the eight-person panel to decide on successful bids.
Rajni Mamgai, 17, said: “Young people often feel adults are not listening to them. We didn't just feed into this project, we played an active part in deciding who would run services for young people like us in Bristol in the future.
"I think they are looking for a safe environment where they have a chance to be heard and that is what Bristol Youth Links offers."
The winners of a further contract, for a “virtual youth service”, offering online information, advice and guidance will be announced in January next year.
Learning Partnership West's consortium includes 1625 Independent People, Barnardo's, Rehab Jobfit and TBG Learning.
Creative Youth Network's consortium includes Bristol Playbus, Young Bristol and Kids Company.
Bristol Drugs Project has formed a consortium with Brook, The Princes Trust, Off the Record and housing support charity 1625 Independent People.