Cabinet Office supports development of eight youth mutuals
Laura McCardle
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Eight local authorities are in the early stages of developing youth mutuals, the Cabinet Office has confirmed.
The councils hope to follow in the footsteps of Knowsley, in Merseyside, and Kensington and Chelsea youth services, which launched as mutuals earlier this year.
The eight authorities are taking part in the Cabinet Office’s Mutuals Success training programme, which is designed to help youth service staff develop the skills required to split off from local authority control.
The programme also informs staff of how mutuals can improve outcomes for young people and equip them with various life skills.
A spokeswoman for Torbay Council, one of the authorities taking part in the programme, said: “Due to the unprecedented budget cuts from central government, Torbay Council looked at how we could continue to deliver youth services effectively to young people.
“The recommendation made to progress towards a mutual – Torbay Youth Trust – was signed off by the full council in September 2013 and progress is being made to trade by the beginning of the 2015 financial year.
“Torbay Youth Trust will continue to provide support and services for many young people who find themselves lacking confidence, needing advice or facing very real challenges to their health and wellbeing.”
Nottingham County Council is also working with the Cabinet Office but a spokesman said no decision has been made about establishing a youth mutual.
One of the authorities taking part in the programme is Devon County Council, which is currently undergoing a major review of its youth services.
The authority has recently carried out a consultation exercise on plans to scrap its universal youth service in favour of a targeted early intervention approach – the findings of which are due to be published today [Wednesday].
The council declined to comment on its participation in the mutuals training programme.
The local authorities taking part in the programme are:
- Devon County Council
- Islington Council
- Luton Borough Council
- Nottinghamshire County Council
- Surrey County Council
- Thurrock Council
- Torbay Council
- Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council