Youth Justice Plan 2007 to 2008
ACTION PLAN
SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGING IN EDUCATION TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
TARGET: Ensure that 90% of young offenders who are supervised by the YOTs are in suitable full-time education, training or employment
Context
The YOS has strategic representation on the regional Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) Steering Group and on the Leicestershire 13 – 19 Strategy Partnership Board.
OLASS arrangements currently being rolled out should increase ETE provision for offenders across the region and the YOS is engaged with the development of these arrangements.
The YOS works closely with partner organisations and is improving its performance in relation to ETE, but is still not meeting the YJB target. The shortfall mostly comprises the 16/17 year old age group (particularly those who are Prolific or Other Priority Offenders), who are difficult to engage with education, training or employment.
The YOS has a well resourced staff group, including two full-time seconded Education Officers, two seconded Connexions PAs and one Connexion/YOS Employment Worker for 16-18 year olds, and a Basic Skills team of five staff. The Basic Skills team continues to provide Basic Skills tuition to young people, but the YOS strategy is to work with partners to improve mainstream provision in the medium term so that this is no longer required. The YOS works with partners through a bi-monthly multi-agency YOIS panel and quarterly Basic Skills Steering Group to improve performance. The YOS is a YJB/Ecotec Plus Champion Site; this provides recognition of the quality of ETE service delivery in Leicestershire and access to excellent Plus materials for improving Basic Skills.
Achievements 2006/7
- The percentages of young people in 25 hours ETE has improved to 78.3%, above Family group (71.9%) Regional (72.1%) and National (68.5%) comparators.
- The Basic Skills Team achieved the local government Public Service Agreement target by providing over a 3-year period, 250 young people with individual learning plans, basic skills teaching and accredited qualification. This attracted a £1m reward grant into Leicestershire County Council and the team’s funding was consequently mainstreamed.
- The YOS has secured additional funding from the LSC (£40,000 per year), to appoint a part-time ETE manager whose role is to improve ETE performance by working with partners to improve mainstream ETE provision, with a particular focus on 16/17 year olds and PPOs.
- The Basic Skills team has secured ESF funding of £200,000 over a two-year period to improve access to employment and enable young people to achieve level one qualifications.
- The Basic Skills team has appointed in conjunction with Connexions (as part of the ESF grant) a dedicated worker to focus on working with employers to improve employment opportunities for 16/17 year olds.
- The YOS has set up an ETE panel to review individual cases to improve performance.
Focus for 2007/8
- Improve YJB ETE KPI performance to at least 80%.
- Increase numbers of 16/17 year olds and Prolific and Other Priority Offenders meeting the 25 hour target.
- Improve links with a range of partners, to increase mainstream provision to meet the diverse needs of young people who offend.
- Contribute to the 13-19 Strategy Partnership Board to improve the flexibility and availability of ETE provision
- Access new OLASS regional ETE provision and ensure it is relevant to the needs of young people through the Steering Group
- Evaluate the progress of the ETE panel at improving performance.
- Achieve ESF funding targets.
- Continue to work with CYPS (Education) colleagues to reduce exclusions and improve school attendance.
Data:
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Performance Indicator: 06/07 April – December actual and % against target
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78.3%
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EPQA: 2003 rating
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1.94
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Performance Indicator: 07/08 target
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90%
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EPQA: 05 result
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2
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