Network of Integrated Youth Support Services
Network of Integrated Youth Support Services
In late 2009, the Unit established the Network of Integrated Youth Support Services, which included two of our established regional groups, Regional Local Authority Youth Work Leads Group and the Regional Forum for Voluntary Youth Organisations, and the establishment of a new group, the Regional Heads of Integrated Youth Support Services. The network was established as the result of the increasing move towards integration in services to young people and the changing relationship between local authority departments and the voluntary youth sector.
Regional Heads of Integrated Youth Support Services Group
The meetings throughout 2010 have been very well attended and members of the group have greatly benefited from the opportunity to openly discuss issues around the integration of youth support services. The notion of trust and confidentiality is central to the group, so that colleagues can learn from the experiences of others to assist the development of more effective services for young people. Already, the sharing within the group has helped a number of services to change the direction of development and to implement more effective services at a local level.
Regional Local Authority Youth Work Leads Group
The Regional Local Authority Youth Work Leads group (formerly Principal Youth Officers Group) has been a central part of the Unit’s regional network for over 20 years. The new name for the group reflects the change of the nature of services within local authorities, but has remained a well attended and productive regional group. Members are able to share information, receive presentations from key partners such as Government Office and CWDC, as well as offer support to each other during a period of very significant transition.
Regional Forum for Voluntary Youth Organisations
The Regional Forum has also been part of the Unit for over 20 years and offers regional representation to local voluntary youth forums. The group provides a conduit for voluntary youth organisations to give and receive information to the sector and service delivery. In 2010, membership has been more sporadic and it may be an indication of the increasing pressures on voluntary youth organisations and competing demands and priorities. We will be doing further development work for the forum in 2011.
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