More than half of Devon youth service jobs at risk

The authority wants to cut 60.5 of the 114 full-time equivalent (FTE) youth service posts as part of wider plans to close 24 of its 32 youth centres. 

The changes would see the council's universal provision scrapped in favour of a more targeted approach, working with the region’s most vulnerable young people. This would be run from eight "local hubs" where vulnerable children and young people will be able to access services.

In addition, voluntary and community groups will be able to apply for funding to develop and deliver community-based youth services on the council’s behalf.

The aim is to save more than £1m from the authority’s £3.7m youth service budget, part of council-wide plans to save £100m by 2017.

James McInnes, the council’s cabinet member for young people, has defended the move.

“This council is fully committed to continuing to protect, nurture and support our young people and we fully recognise the value of local youth services to our communities.

“But with public funding getting ever tighter, we have no choice but to look very carefully at everything we do and to make sure we get the most from every penny we spend.

“For the Devon youth service not to wither away over time we have to be creative and bold in order to keep what is important whilst putting things on a more sustainable basis.”

The plans, which were put forward following a 10-month review, were published yesterday as CYP Now revealed that Devon County Council has been working with the Cabinet Office to develop a youth mutual.

The plans – which union officials have claimed are linked to problems in other parts of the council's children's services – will go before the council’s cabinet on 11 June.