A monitoring visit by Ofsted to look at youth work services in Cumbria has reported that progress has been made in all 7 areas recommended for improvement.
Ofsted last inspected the service in February 2005 and the subsequent report, published in May 2005, found that the service was inadequate and had more weaknesses than strengths.
Cumbria County Council was aware of the deficiencies of the service and last year resolved to remedy them in partnership with the voluntary sector and Connexions Cumbria, as 'Youth Work in Cumbria Partnership'.
The partnership was set up to bring together all youth work providers in Cumbria to improve the range and quality of youth work in the county.
Three areas of work have made good progress:
- 'Ensure that the Partnership Board has a clear vision and implementation strategy to promote high quality youth work' - Inspectors identified "successful development of a strategic planning infrastructure", and pointed to the "enthusiasm among partners and concerted effort of the widely respected development team".
"the comprehensive, coherent implementation strategy, endorsed by the Board, partners, staff and young people, includes a strategic plan, which is well used by the six Local Youth Work Partnerships to produce effective local delivery plans."
-'Develop an impartial, robust and transparent contracting and commissioning process that meets audit requirements'
Inspectors noted: "The arrangements for tendering are linked closely to analysis of needs and the priorities of the curriculum. The Partnership's performance monitoring arrangements provide a comprehensive and robust system, to which providers will work."
- 'Develop comprehensive management information and financial monitoring systems to ensure cost effectiveness and value for money'
Inspectors said "Management information has improved dramatically over the last two years and, in 2005/06 the Partnership was able to produce reliable data for the first time to service as benchmark for the future."
In three areas of the service reasonable progress has been made - ensuring service providers are fully resourced and supported, developing a curriculum framework to support and improve standards of achievement and ensuring that young people are involved at all levels in all aspects of service, governance, development and provision.
Starting virtually from scratch with sparse staffing levels and a lack of training provision, it was anticipated that at the time of the monitoring visit limited progress would have been made in implementing consistent and rigourous quality assurance procedures. However, inspectors commented that a sound partnership strategy had been developed and this is even now beginning to bring higher standards.
Duncan Graham, the independent chair of the partnership, said:
"After hitting rock bottom not so long ago, in two short but exciting years we have seen huge strides forward to the extent that our work is attracting national recognition and their range and quality of youth work in the frontline has improved immeasurably.
"Cumbria's young people deserve only the best and a new and dynamic partnership of public and voluntary sectors is well on the way."
Philip Chapplehow, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Cumbria County Council, said:
"I would like to commend everyone involved in the partnership for having achieved so much in such a short period of time. Once again, it demonstrates the benefit and value of bringing together all the organisations working to improve the outcomes of children and young people in Cumbria."
Chris Reeve, Principal Education Officer, Youth Work, at Cumbria County Council said:
"The most important change has been in placing the interests of young people at the centre of developments and with them we will continue to develop rich and varied opportunities to meet their needs."
You can view a copy of the report at the link below.
ENDS
Further information from Alison Lister, media team on 01228 606335
View a copy of the Ofsted report (pdf)