Welcome to the Bristol Youth Links Blog. The Blog was set up to provide information about the Bristol Youth Links Review and to give you the opportunity to give feedback and ask questions. The consultation closed on 30 August and we thank you for your feedback that have made a valuable contribution to the refining of the Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan and will benefit Bristol’s children and young people directly.
How to use the Blog:
- Scroll down the page to view all text and links to documents about Bristol Youth Links
- Click on any of the underlined headings to access information about the Bristol Youth Links Review
- There is a jargon buster, glossary, and Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of the blog.
What is Bristol Youth Links?
Bristol Youth Links (BYL) is the umbrella brand for a range of integrated services:
- Open access play activities for children and young people
- Open access, enjoyable and exciting structured positive activities that children and young people can do in their own time, including volunteering
- Information and personalised advice, guidance and support that enable young people to make informed decisions and choices about their lives
- Ways for children and young people to have their say in developing services so that they are accessible, attractive and relevant for them and their families
These services are delivered at tier 1 and tier 2 alongside and complementing the formal education system and tier 3 and 4 services for all children and young people aged 8 – 19 (and for those up to 24 with additional needs).
These services contribute to building resilience and protective factors in their lives, help them to become more self-reliant and better able to manage their personal development, including their learning.
The Bristol Youth Links Strategy “A Toolkit for Life” was agreed by Bristol Children’s Trust in April 2010, following feedback from a range of stakeholders.
Outcome of Youth Links call-in
Following the consultation, the proposals for commissioning were revised and presented to Bristol City Cabinet on 24 November 2011. The report outlined plans to create a new joined-up Bristol Youth Links service for the city through a procurement process with a commitment to over £20 million investment in youth and play services over the next five years. These proposals were agreed by Cabinet and, following a re-examination of the decision through a council call-in panel on 4 January, the decision has been confirmed. This means we are now able to finalise and implement our proposals to create a new Youth Links service for Bristol.
A copy of the Cabinet report including a collation of the key themes that arose through consultation and how they will be addressed in the final commissioning plan is available on the council website at: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2011/ua/ua000/1124_9.pdf
+++ Consultation Reports +++
We received 67 responses and were enthused by the breadth, depth and quality of the submissions. We reviewed all the responses during September and October and have published two reports as a result of our work that you might be interested in looking through as they address many of the points you have raised.
The first report is a summary of all the responses received, and highlights the key themes that were raised. The second responds to the suggestions, comments and observations that respondents made and sets out how we intend to revisit our proposals based on the feedback received.
The two reports plus the extensive consultation we have had with children and young people informed the report that went to the city council’s cabinet on 24 November. We believe that the consultation responses and the engagement of people in various discussions have made a valuable contribution to the refining of the Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan and this will benefit Bristol’s children and young people directly.
- BYL Summary of Responses Report
- BYL “You Said/We Did” Report
- Summary report of consultation with young people
+++ consultation has ended +++
The consultation period for the Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan has now ended.
The Bristol Youth Links Team would like to thank you all for your comments, observations and feedback. All responses will be taken into consideration when finalising the commissioning plan. In the meantime, you can continue to view all the documents here.
Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan Summary
Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan (DRAFT)
Appendix 1 Initial Information for Providers
Appendix 2 Bristol Youth Links Needs Analysis
Appendix 3 Equality Impact Assessment – Services (Working Document)
Appendix 4 Equality Impact Assessment – Staff (Working Document)
Appendix 5 Commissioning Options Appraisal
Appendix 6 TUPE frequently asked questions
Appendix 7 Bristol Youth Links branding
Appendix 8 Consultation feedback form (consultation has now ended)
*UPDATE* Review of Baseline Standards (consultation)
This consultation is now closed. The new baseline standards will be incorporated into requirements for Bristol Youth Links. All Bristol Youth Links Providers will be expected to comply with these baseline standards and these will be assessed as part of the pre-qualification for tendering.
Further Youth Links Information:
Missed any of training events? Full set of handouts and guidance below:
1. Collaborative Working – handout
2. Collaboration for Communities: giving power to partnership
3. A beginners guide to building consortia in the social enterprise sector
4. Outcomes based commissioning – handout
5. Outcomes – exercises
6. Outcomes – examples
7. Tendering and BePS – handouts
Draft collaboration templates and guidance can be found at: http://www.bristolcompact.org.uk/vcse/collaborating/templates
Development of Bristol Youth Links
- Delivery Model (draft)
Service Type Definitions
- Universal
- Targeted Universal
- Targeted Support
Bristol Youth Links Strategic Commissioners Meeting
Bristol Youth Links Project Board
Consultation events/activities with:
- Young People
- Providers
- Stakeholders
Provision Maps
The full range of services (funded and unfunded) have been plotted onto two sets of maps; those with services predominantly for 8 to 12 year olds, and those predominantly for 13 to 19 year olds. The maps and supporting commentary were compiled in late 2010, using the most up-to-date data available at the time.
Service Provision 8 to 12 year olds
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 01
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 02
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 03
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 04
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 05
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 06
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 07
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 08
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 09
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 10
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 11
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 12
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 13
Youth Provision 8 to 12 NPA 14
Service Provision 13 to 19 year olds
Commentary
Map 03 BYL Provision by Locality
Map 04 BYL Provision by Neighbourhood Partnership Area (NPA)
Map 05 BYL Provision in North 1
Map 06 BYL Provision in North 2
Map 07 BYL Provision in North 3
Map 08 BYL Provision in East/Central 1
Map 09 BYL Provision in East/Central 2
Map 10 BYL Provision in East/Central 3
Map 11 BYL Provision in South 1
Map 12 BYL Provision in South 2
Map 13 BYL Provision in South 3
Map 14 BYL Provision in South 4
Map 15 BYL Provision in NP01
Map 16 BYL Provision in NP02
Map 17 BYL Provision in NP03
Map 18 BYL Provision in NP04
Map 19 BYL Provision in NP05
Map 20 BYL Provision in NP06
Map 21 BYL Provision in NP07
Map 22 BYL Provision in NP08
Map 23 BYL Provision in NP09
Map 24 BYL Provision in NP10
Map 25 BYL Provision in NP11
Map 26 BYL Provision in NP12
Map 27 BYL Provision in NP13
Map 28 BYL Provision in NP14
Map 29 Citywide Transport Links by Locality
Map 30 Citywide Transport Links by NPA
Map 31 Catchment Areas by Locality
Map 32 Catchment Areas by NPA
Map 33 Conception Rates by Locality
Map 34 Conception Rates by NPA
Map 35 NEETS by Locality
Map 36 NEETS by NPA
8 – 12 BYL provision NPA
Development of Bristol Youth Links
Bristol City Council intends to improve outcomes for young people in Bristol through the development and commissioning of a robust mixed market of BYL service providers. By providers we mean any organisation or group that delivers BYL services for young people. Through commissioning services we aim to:
- Strengthen the influence of young people and their families.
- Strengthen arrangements to identify, assess and meet the needs of vulnerable young people early in the context of their everyday lives, including putting in place pathways that support young people into and from specialist services.
- Make services more accessible, attractive, known and relevant to all young people, ensuring equality of access to vulnerable young people
- Integrate quality and performance systems to improve management of information and inform service improvement.
Service Type Definitions:
BYL services will be commissioned to deliver some or all four elements of the “Bristol youth offer” which are:
- Creative and positive activities providing personal and social development designed to enable young people to develop and progress socially and intellectually, acquire new skills and learn in whatever situation they find themselves.
- Information, advice and guidance to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and understanding to make informed choices and with learning pathways to engage in education, training and employment and secure economic well being. To equip young people with the independent living skills to resist harm and unwanted pressures, e.g. bullying, substance misuse, teenage pregnancy.
- Personalised and targeted support for young people at risk or in difficulties.
- Opportunities for young people to influence decision making at various levels and understand how their input has had an impact.
The service specification will define services as either universal services, targeted universal services or targeted services. The definitions are as follows:
Universal:
All young people who live in Bristol will have easy access to universal BYL services that are based in their communities / or within the city and provide:
- A range of enjoyable and exciting structured activities that they can do in their own time, including volunteering
- Information and personalised advice, guidance and support that enable them to make informed decision and choices about their lives
- A range of ways to have their say in developing services so that they are accessible, attractive and relevant for them and their families.
Targeted Universal:
Some young people’s circumstances place them at risk of achieving poor outcomes in later life and therefore require universal services to be targeted and designed to meet their specific needs. These may be young people who:
- Are living in poverty or in families with a low income, including experiencing poor or over crowed housing
- Are experiencing stressful or poor quality family situations including parental conflict, separation and loss
- Are affected by parental or sibling substance misuse, offending, disability or poor health, including emotional and mental health
- Are living in fear of crime, harassment or bullying, including BME, disabled and LGBT young people
- Are living in mobile and/or unsettled families, including refugees, asylum seekers, homeless, traveller/gypsy communities or economic migrants
- Have poor engagement in education or learning, including low attendance, risk of exclusion or under achievement pre and post 16
- Have or are at risk of poor health, including emotional well being, obesity and misusing substances
- Are at risk of teenage conception or are teenage parents
- Are experiencing disengagement from families or chaotic living arrangements e.g. on the edge of care, running away from care or home, at risk of homelessness
- Are at risk of or are involved in crime, gangs, anti social or aggressive behaviour
- Are experiencing personal or family isolation / alienation from communities
- Are experiencing domestic violence and abuse
Targeted Support:
Some individual young people will need additional personalised support if they show evidence of an early intervention need and are unable to access universal or targeted universal BYL services. These young people will be allocated a key worker such as an engagement worker, personal adviser and youth workers who will provide them with personalised pathways to meet their needs to engage them in BYL services. Where needed a key worker may refer a young person to specialist tier 3 or 4 services outside of the scope of BYL to help them gain the skills they need to progress successfully into adult life.
Bristol Youth Links Strategic Commissioners Meeting
Minutes of meeting held 11/03/2011.
Bristol Youth Links Project Board
The development of Bristol Youth Links Review is being led through the Bristol Youth Links Project Board who will provide regular updates via this BLOG. The BYL Board welcome your questions and comments and will respond via the BLOG. Minutes of meetings are provided below.
Minutes 2010-06-22
Minutes 2010-07-13
Minutes 2010-07-27
Minutes 2010-08-10
Minutes 2010-09-14
Minutes 2010-10-12
Minutes 2010-10-26
Minutes 2010-11-23
Minutes 2010-12-14
Minutes 2011-04-19
Minutes 2011-06-21
Minutes 2011-07-26
Consultation
There have been a range of opportunities for young people, providers and stakeholders to be involved in the review of BYL services and as we move to implementation more opportunities to engage in discussions on proposals will be provided in the coming months – see this BLOG, and the VOSCUR newsletter for details.
Overview of consultations to date
a) Young People
Summary Report of Consultation with Young People
Testing, Testing, Testing! Video from Young People’s Consultation Event
Young People’s Consultation Event 9 April 2011 – Report of Findings
Consultation Event with Youth Select Committee – Summary Report (December 2010)
Bristol Youth Links Survey Report (March 2011)
Note: There is also a summary of the ‘Have your say’ findings (2009 Survey) in the Bristol Youth Links Strategy (2010 – 2014) – A toolkit for life
b) Providers
Market testing event report (January 2011)
Question and Answer – Market testing event
List of interested providers
c) Stakeholders
Stakeholder consultation event report (November 2010)
More details about Bristol City Council Youth and Play Services here.
Glossaries and Useful Guides
BCC Standards for Services to Young People
Frequently Asked Questions
Bristol Youth Links Jargon Buster
Outcome Based Commissioning Glossary.
Preparing and Transferring Services in the Public and Non Profit Sector – A Guide from the CIPD
Return to top
Back to Consultations page.
These points are very true!!!!!
Answers?
Young people will feel unwanted when new orgs take over buildings and even if they dont like the new staff or org it will be hard. I think the same staff and same activites which are happening now need to be transfered to the new orgs. Even better BYL doesnt even happen and it stays as it is now but just cut the days evenings etc.
Young People:
• Will young people lose their buildings – realistically esp in relation to changes in use/access?
• Age change – how will this be managed for all young people? Will this result in shared space across 8-19 year olds? Shared staff will require additional training
• What level of service – re staff ratios; intensity of work; levels of participation; levels of support required. Also levels qualifications of staff – in relation to intensity of work/experiences
• Where are young people’s opportunities to participate in the consultation – April 9th NOT appropriate what efforts are being made to ensure proper consultation (ref consulting with young people doc)
• Once BYL set up what mechanisms are available for young people to give feedback re the changes?
• Loss of the uniqueness of youth work – i.e. voluntary and from where young people are at
• Loss of ownership as this is being done to young people not with them
• Young people may not be happy to attend projects/buildings once they have been taken over by another org – especially if they dislike/disagree with that orgs policies/management/staff etc
• Accessibility for young people getting to new venues (public transport/personal safety)
• Structure leaves out certain young people especially the most vulnerable from equalities groups
• Confidentiality for young people – having developed and built up relationships with previous staff how will this transfer be managed – they are not leisure centre customers!
• Data sharing between lots/across orgs – how will yp confidentiality be maintained in new system – what guarantees are there for young people?
• What support will there be for young people in the transitional phase?
• What support for staff supporting young people through the transitional phase?
General
• Where is equalities provision within BYL?
• How will equalities work be maintained within BYL?
• Where is community development within local areas/lots?
• What happens to citywide provision and those young people who may not feel safe accessing local provision (esp equalities groups)
• What happens to local input to consultation – Blog is not accessible for local people to voice concerns and raise issues
• If BYL does not work what is alternative?
• What if all lots are not tendered out?
• What support will be available to staff re self-organised equalities groups within TUPE?
• Where is the staff consultation within BYL? It appears staff have been activelyexcluded from the consultation process esp re mutuals/consortiums
Not all young people have heard about BYL. I’m very worried about my area as I don’t want to lose the youth service. BYL need to tell ALL young people what is happening and what’s it about. Are we guaranteed a youth club still? I feel very strong about this as I don’t want to lose my local youth centre facilities.
Message from Rose Richard, BYL Project Manager:
I am writing to thank everyone for your continuing interest in the development of proposals to determine future investment in Bristol Youth Links Services. The engagement of key stakeholders is valued by the project team. It is important to stress that no decisions in relation to how services might be packaged or commissioned have been made, therefore the views expressed through the consultation are encouraged and will be fully considered by the project board as it helps to inform final proposals to be published in September.
I am also writing to inform you of progress in responding to issues raised by stakeholders and the process for further development of the final plan. Since publication of the draft plan at the end of May the board and sub groups of the board have met to develop proposals as indicated in the draft plan and to consider results of the consultation to date. This work continued during August as more responses are received and will be added to following the closing date.
To facilitate meaningful discussion in the board, the project team are collating responses thematically, assessing them against the Bristol Youth Links aims and principles and drawing up options for the board to consider for the revised commissioning plan. Proposed revisions will be developed up to and immediately after the closing date. In order to allow sufficient time for the boards engagement two additional board meetings are scheduled for the 5 and 6 September and the date to advertise for the tendering process PQQ stage has been extended to now take place during the week following the scheduled board meeting on 19 September.
The draft commissioning plan was publicised widely and presented to another recent Voscur network meeting for further engagement and feedback.
A range of involvement activities with the elected representatives of young people have been undertaken and this group and other specific forum representatives presented their responses to a sub group of the board on 10 August, along with proposals from young people on how they wish to be involved in tendering decisions.
In addition to the consultation process, members of the board have also responded to a range of ‘process’ issues that have been raised by stakeholders.
1. An event was hosted to inform small and equalities led organisations of proposals and receive their feedback. This was in response to some of these groups being unable to take part in previous engagement activity.
2. Further development of collaborative models have been undertaken and an update will be available shortly.
3. A list of providers who are interested in collaboration is to be published on Beps and a ‘speed networking’ event is being planned for providers interested in collaboration to make contact. The date for this will be circulated when a date and venue is finalised.
4. Providers have been written to seeking staffing information to inform possible TUPE liabilities and arrangements. The closing date was 31 July 2011. Thanks to those who have responded already, if you haven’t done so yet, please make this a priority. If you have not received a request for information and are a current provider of BYL services please contact Samantha Flowers.
5. Providers have also been written to for information to inform the equalities impact assessment. The same closing date and arrangements apply. An event was organised for equalities groups to receive and respond to proposals on 11 August.
6. Proposals to enable future providers to consider use of BCC youth centres and adventure playgrounds to deliver services are being developed, with information on condition of property and running costs being collated for publication.
7. The project timeline has been revisited in response to concerns raised and we are pleased to report that the tender closing date has now been extended by 4 weeks to the week commencing 9 January 2012.
8. Some providers remain uncertain about TUPE arrangements and are also invited to attend a Voscur led TUPE seminar. For further detail go to: http://www.voscur.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=361
The project team and project board value your input to inform this important development I trust that this update is helpful to people interested in Bristol. Finally I would once again like to thank colleagues for their engagement in this important process to secure improved outcomes for children and young people.
Would there be a case for having a separate bids for city wide specialists including mobile play which can respond to needs across the city but may not naturally fit into specific localities
Following feedback is from a YouthWork NetWork Meeting> Members of the Youthwork Network are Youth and Community Workers full and part time who are not Senior.
Staff:
• Terms & Conditions –
Will JNC terms and conditions apply in BYL/new service structure
There is an over reliance on apprentices and (untrained) volunteers how will this be addressed in the new structure?
Concerns regarding employment rights – especially regarding part-time/casual workers in terms of their Hours/days of work and changes to those core days especially with the emphasis on more weekend delivery in the new structures
Related to the above there are concerns about any change in venue for delivery – accessibility for staff (and young people)
Loss of holiday entitlements – including additional holidays for long service
Where is the accountability/line management structure within BYL?
Linked to the above what policy guarantees/quality assurance – e.g. Health & safety/child protection etc Will be in BYL?
Who has building responsibility when seniors leave particularly in view of what has happened with another centre now managed by VCS? – will additional responsibility on the part of non senior workers be reflected in pay?
Lone working safety without seniors particularly as policy is not clear around this practice?
How will working at the Station fit with JNC t & c given it has been confirmed JNC will not be paid?
Related to this how does this reflect service assurances that TUPE will ensure the protection of our contractual rights including JNC if one of the providers has confirmed it will not honour them?
• Training & Development concerns – Will there remain the same level of access to training and development opportunities?
What level of qualification will be required for for posts – which has a direct impact on the pay structure for those posts and also potentially mean less qualified staff in management positions
Where will the quality assurance of youth work training come from within BYL?
How does the apprentice model fit with degree only entrance to youth work since 2010?
How much reliance on PMDS scores for TUPE arrangements especially with training budget freeze of recent years preventing training/development opportunities?
What is meant by access to development opportunities within BYL brief – who can access? When? Cost? Where? And what level? Is this available to level 2 workers/support workers
• General concerns- There Insecurity for “ground” staff and demotivation within teams
There has been poor communication from management re BYL and consultation.
Reliance on the blog is inappropriate and does not guarantee staff confidentiality
Also inaccessible for p/t & casual staff without internet/groupwise access
Unable to do forwarding planning (planning beyond October)
Why isn’t redundancy an option for our level?
Reduction in face-to-face contact from seniors
Where/how does project development happen? Also strategic inputs/planning?
What happens to equipment especially YOF shouldn’t young people have say in where this goes?
Age change – (8 – 19yrs) how will this be managed by youth workers – will additional play specialists be brought in or additional training be offered to workers
TUPE – what is the reality of this and what redeployment really means especially regarding who will be offered this and what will be the timescales. What guarantees re terms & conditions
What is the “Shadow Brief” how does this affect us?
There will be an experience drain with loss of seniors
Young People:
• Will young people lose their buildings – realistically esp in relation to changes in use/access?
• Age change – how will this be managed for all young people? Will this result in shared space across 8-19 year olds? Shared staff will require additional training
• What level of service – re staff ratios; intensity of work; levels of participation; levels of support required. Also levels qualifications of staff – in relation to intensity of work/experiences
• Where are young people’s opportunities to participate in the consultation – April 9th NOT appropriate what efforts are being made to ensure proper consultation (ref consulting with young people doc)
• Once BYL set up what mechanisms are available for young people to give feedback re the changes?
• Loss of the uniqueness of youth work – i.e. voluntary and from where young people are at
• Loss of ownership as this is being done to young people not with them
• Young people may not be happy to attend projects/buildings once they have been taken over by another org – especially if they dislike/disagree with that orgs policies/management/staff etc
• Accessibility for young people getting to new venues (public transport/personal safety)
• Structure leaves out certain young people especially the most vulnerable from equalities groups
• Confidentiality for young people – having developed and built up relationships with previous staff how will this transfer be managed – they are not leisure centre customers!
• Data sharing between lots/across orgs – how will yp confidentiality be maintained in new system – what guarantees are there for young people?
• What support will there be for young people in the transitional phase?
• What support for staff supporting young people through the transitional phase?
General
• Where is equalities provision within BYL?
• How will equalities work be maintained within BYL?
• Where is community development within local areas/lots?
• What happens to citywide provision and those young people who may not feel safe accessing local provision (esp equalities groups)
• What happens to local input to consultation – Blog is not accessible for local people to voice concerns and raise issues
• If BYL does not work what is alternative?
• What if all lots are not tendered out?
• What support will be available to staff re self-organised equalities groups within TUPE?
• Where is the staff consultation within BYL? It appears staff have been activelyexcluded from the consultation process esp re mutuals/consortiums?
•
On behalf of Young Carers in Bristol, I am relaying very clear messages from them as to the importance of having specific Young Carer clubs/groups. Many do not feel safe about discussing their situation in mainstream provision. There is a need for staff to have clear understanding of their issues.
I know from other groups LGBT, deaf, homeless – that this is a shared issue for vulnerable groups.
Please let us know how we apply.
When will there be responses to all the legitimate queries on this blog as the consultation period will be ending soon?
Re Consortia: it would appear that some have had a huge headstart and advantage in this process. The playing field (no pun intended) seems very uneven. Work needs to be done quickly to assist organisations who have been unable to join existing consortia due to closed membership. The ‘speed-dating’ or networking event which has been mentioned may now come too late given the current timetable.
It would be helpful if BCC could provide detail of the decommissioning plan which we have been told will begin in Autumn 2011. Are all existing contracts to be decommissioned in anticipation of the ‘new’ contracts starting in April 2012?
Can you give us more information on what funding will be made available for ‘emerging needs’?
Given some of the responses to questions raised during training or information events, it seems that the BYL Board has failed to properly consider the impact of this proposal or the length of time and resource needed for the majority of small/med sized VCS organisations to engage and be ready to bid for services to be delivered from April 2012 onwards.
The rate of change this process demands points to a lack of awareness of the impact of the BYL strategy. There seems to be little acknowledgement that these plans represent a wholesale reshaping of the existing market and the VCS providers within it. Collaboration between BCC and our infrastructure support organisation is apparent and the training is most welcome. However, surely training and draft templates to assist the formation of consortia, for example, should have been scheduled for 2010, not summer 2011, leaving around 6/7 months (on the current timetable) to take stock, reshape, collaborate and bid!
Over the last 3 years, Bristol’s 5 Adventure Playgrounds (APG’s) have benefited form the successful partnership between CYPS YPS and Disabled Children Service Departments. As a result of this partnership work, the playgrounds received significant capital investment from Play Pathfinders and Aiming High for Disabled Children. This has contributed to the development of inspiring play spaces which are full inclusive and accessible to all children. Developments have included:
‘Changing Places’ toilet facilities on 4 APG’s ( 2 completed April 2011)
A sensory room at St Paul’s APG and sensory tents & equipments at the other 4
A ceiling track hoist in the soft play room at Southmead APG (completed April 2011)
A range of accessible out door play features on all 5 APG’s including basket swings, wheels ramps, sensory paths, musical instruments and, at St Paul’s, an accessible high walkway around the perimeter of the site and though the trees.
This investment, alongside the work of the Lottery funded Inclusive Play Delivery Team and partnership work with the Disabled Children Service Bridging Workers and a range of short break providers has resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of Disabled Children regularly accessing APG’s (as evidenced in the Equalities Impact Assessment for service Users).
The EQA states that there will be a minimum requirement that commissioned providers use accessible buildings to deliver services. However, there is no stipulation within the commissioning plan that bids must include use of specific buildings.
What safeguards will be in place within the commissioning process to ensure that the APG’s continue to provide services for all children in 2012 and beyond and that these new accessible resources are not lost.
1. Please could you identify current spending on youth provision? I understand that just below £10 million was spent on 8 – 13, 13 – 19 and 19 – 25 year groups in 2009/2010. I am unclear on what spend is included in the BYL £4.5 million. Could you please clarify this in a list?
2. What is the process for assessing tenders? Who will make the assessments, judgements and decisions for each application?
3. How have you assessed the risk of the impact of transition of support for young people to alternative providers who are the most vulnerable and most dependent on services i.e. young people who require S139 assessments?
– Due to tight timescales, have you considered how, what and when transition arrangements will take place?
- How will liaison occur across strands i.e. SEN?
4. The document shows that the area lots have the same potential value. The need in an area like Easton is not equal to the need in Henleaze. The funding available doesn’t give enough capacity to deliver in an area like Easton and doesn’t prepare for changes in communication – Should funding not be kept back for this?
Play or work with children aged 8-12 has been shown to be vital in the reduction of risk taking behaviour and anti-social behaviour
Although everyone is agreed that there should be a holistic approach to work with 8-19 years olds, the age groups have distinct needs
Will the lots give play or work with 8-12s be given an equal footing to 13-19 years ?
As there is a significant cut in budget with more to follow it may mean that many buildings may become too expensive to run and mobile / detached provision may be a way forward. Would the lots be able to incorporate a mobile service that could respond to the needs of the different communities.?
Hi
Can you tell me which assets will be available under the BYL tenders.
Does the category ‘targeted universal’ include young people with long term conditions? We have had feedback from consultation that young people with conditions such as diabetes are not always confident that advice and guidance services will be able to provide them with appropriate support.
They are not expecting staff in the services to have in-depth knowledge of each condition, but they do need to understand the additional pressures which managing these conditions puts on young people so that they can have equal access to good quality advice and support.
It would be helpful if this need could be highlighted to services.
Key points:
1. Recognise the diversity of young people’s experiences. Some may identify as LGBT, others may not. Some may prefer to stay in their communities, others may prefer a central safe space. Issues for a younger age range of 13 to 16 may be very different to over 16.
2. Ensure there is a robust commissioning process with the needs and issues of young LGBT people to be taken into account through an embedded not ‘added on’ approach.
3. Ensure that the Quality Assurance process is carried out by practitioners who are well informed and that delivery is consistently monitored.
4. That all service providers are well trained in equalities and specifically can demonstrate pro-active work to ensure they provide an inclusive service to LGBT young people in all areas of delivery.
5. Support LGBT staff across service provision. Support staff to be ‘out’ at work if they want to be.
6. Encourage specific small-scale provision in each of the three areas, especially recognising the needs of young LGBT people in the 13 to 16 age group and then needs of LGBT young people who have additional protected characteristics.
7. Ensure LGBT young people have voice and influence through specific city wide youth forums in the city.
8. Provide a safe central meeting space for young LGBT people, with an emphasis on a young people led provision and potentially focusing on the 16 to 21 age group. For example Freedom Youth.
9. Ensure targeted services are inclusive in their provision with potentially specific sessions / activities offered for LGBT young people. For example LGBT counselling service currently provided as part of Off The Record.
10. Data confidentiality – concerns around tracking of LGBT monitoring across a central system. We support monitoring and stress the need to increase training on how and why to ask the question. Recognise the need to be clear about the purpose for monitoring and what will happen to the information. Would not want an adverse effect on the numbers of young people attending a central LGBT service.
Hi I have attended a recent BME Bristol Youth Links feedback session.
several concerns not the time and energy to raise them all now
The main one is regards to becoming or even how to Join a coinsortuim, many big players with in the voultary sector have done this and doors seem to be closed. How do grass roots orgsations with little resources and infracsture get their way in to this process, as your intrest has to be shown by in sedptemer.
Although OutLoud LGBT young people’s forum welcomes the idea of more LGBT youth provisions across the city, we have the following concerns:
-Will the localities have the specialist experience to run quality workshops, and provide relevant resources and safe spaces for LGBT young people?
-Will LGBT youth services still have dedicated, specialist workers?
We are concerned that area provision may attract low numbers. We would like to know if providers will commit to keeping the service running even if it is not value for money.
-Not all LGBT young people will feel comfortable coming out in their local community. How will a locality based service be accessible to them?
Freedom Youth group brings young LGBT people together from across the city so young LGBT people are able to widen their network of friends, share their experiences, and become part of the wider LGBT community. As an experienced, long running project for LGBT young people, Freedom Youth could be used to help other localities if needed.
Can you tell us how young LGBT people will benefit from commissioning LGBT youth services?
If a new provider takes over LGBT young people’s services, will young people involved get a say in how it is run?
If the areas are to provide services for LGBT young people, will all staff be trained in LGBT youth work? If so, what will this training involve?
Will Bristol Youth Links ensure that providers make sure that there are positive LGBT role models that are trained in LGBT youth work?
The LGBT young people’s forum, OutLoud, is concerned that in the new plans LGBT is included in the area lots. Will the LGBT youth group ‘Freedom Youth’, stay as a city wide group (as opposed to being split into area based services)?
The forum has voiced that we feel Freedom Youth should remain a city wide service, as the Freedom Youth brand is recognised by both professionals and young people as a valuable life line service for many LGBT young people. We feel our views have been ignored as the draft commissioning paper only suggests area lots. We would like to know whether Freedom Youth will remain as a brand and service.
The draft Commissioning Plan for the Bristol Youth Links Services for young people aged 8-19 years appears to be heavily weighted towards the 13-19 age range. Whilst play is apparently implicit in the document, the specification for each lot and attributed delivery targets make small mention of play as it exists within the aspirations set out in Bristol’s own Play Strategy and Play Policy. There is a real danger therefore that the successful bidder will fail to deliver the same level of quality play opportunities that have been built up in Bristol over recent years. With the changing demographic likely to see an increase in the number of 8-12 year olds within Bristol in the years to come, the city cannot afford to see a reduction in the availability of quality play provision (within formal and informal settings and including mobile/outreach play) for these children and young people in the future.
I work in play providing open access sessions for children over 8 and have witnessed an increasing trend toward attempting to measure and certificate everthing that children and young people do. I strongly believe that free play should be exactly that and what children need- especially those experiencing difficulties in their lives is exactly that-oportunities to PLAY -to learn, grow and experience the world through play. Are we forgetting everything we’ve learned ? Can’t we just let children be children ?
Although I agree in part with the idea that provision needs to be more evenly spread, however I think it’s short sighted to think that we can meet the needs of 8 to 19 year olds in one hit. As has already been said the performance indicators all seem to relate to Youth provision with very little mention of PLAY which I think is a massive oversight.
Studies on prisoners serving life in America have shown a causal link between little or no access to play in early life and later offending behaviour.
Todays non-players are tommorrows young offenders.
The council’s play strategy was developed by a wide range of stakeholders within the play sector and the strategy ‘Playing for Real’ adopts the fundamental play policy objective: ‘To increase the quality of children’s play opportunities in a variety of settings and to ensure that all Bristol’s children and young people have easy access to such opportunities.’ In order to know if quality has increased it is important to assess impact – and you refer to studies in America that have assessed the impact of play.
Children should indeed have opportunities to play freely and the council is enthusiastic to let ‘children be children’. The large majority of children are able to play everyday in a variety of settings, however there are some circumstances when additional interventions are required to set the right climate for children to play, and this is when the council invests in staffed provision. Where the council invests resources it is appropriate to be able to measure whether any value has been secured for this investment.
Are there any maps yet that provide “neighbourhood data and provision mapping” (appendix 2) for play? As a charity that runs open access inclusive play provision we should appear on the map but we have yet to be asked for any information on our provision.
This document talks a lot about the importance of play and youth provision in the lives of children and young people. However there is little discussion on the distinction between services for children and services for youth. History and experience have shown there are different needs and thus specific services when working with 8-12 year olds or 13- 19 year olds.
Will there be additional information added to the tendering document that acknowledges this important distinction so the expertise of the play and youth sectors are not lost at the detriment to the children and young people they serve?
The tendering process is based on an outcomes commissioning approach and therefore we expect providers to inform commissioners how they intend to address the different needs of children and young people and to outline to us how they will make the distinction between different approaches for different age ranges.
This is referred to in various points of the draft commissioning plan; for example we refer to BYL being an umbrella brand for ‘a range of integrated services and includes open access play activities for children and young people’ as well as ‘open access, enjoyable and exciting structured positive activities that children and young people can do in their own time, including volunteering’ (see section 1).
Also in section 1, we state that ‘validated international and national research that tells us that children and young people who are engaged in high quality play activities have improved physical, social and cognitive development and increased health and well-being’ and that children and young people who are engaged in structured and semi-structured developmental activities in their leisure time are positive about where they live and contribute positively to their communities’.
In section 6 we outline that we expect staff within provision to use ‘a variety of approaches well matched to children and young people’s different needs, abilities and interests’.
Within the brief information for lots 2 to 8 we say that the service activity expected includes ‘a range of enjoyable play activities for children and young people’ and ‘a range of exciting structured positive activities that children and young people can do in their own time, including volunteering’. Within this lot we also say that we expect these activities to be ‘differentiated by the needs of the children and young people, e.g. age and culturally appropriate’.
It is our view therefore that the draft plan provides sufficient information to address the concerns raised, however if you have any suggestion as to how this may be strengthened further please let us know.
In response to need, the VCS consultation meeting for small/equalities groups on 13 July, 5.30-8.30pm is now open to medium sized groups. Details are available on the Voscur website.
I echo the calls for continuing specialist city wide support. We offer counselling and mental health support through just such a model and I feel there is the potential for this process to erode such provision and create the ‘postcode lottery’ mentioned above.
I also worry that specialist providers will end up as sub-contractors (rather than genuine partners) to a consortia of larger providers of universal services – looking for, (as you say), the specialist skills needed to deliver their outcomes.
Dear Bristol Youth Links
I have two queries
1. Given the consultation period finishes on the 30th of August and the tender documents are to be released about 12th of Sept will that give the process sufficient time to include any thoughts people may have about the document in the tender spec?
2. Although children are mentioned in the document there does appear to be a bias to young people.
In terms of the lots, the performance indicators relate directly to 16-18. The only mention of the under 12s is in relation to their first entrance to the criminal justice system. Would it be possible in the document to increase the emphasis on early intervention work with children to address issues such as school transition, childhood obesity etc?
In response to the points you raised:
1. The project team are collating and considering responses as we receive them, grouping them into themes and preparing options for the board to consider when it meets in early September.
We have published indicative timescales which we are striving to achieve, however these may be revised if there is a need.
2. Thank you for your observations. With the Bristol Youth Links age range now extended to work with over 8′s we wil need to identify appropriate performance indicators to ensure that the final commissioning plan covers the wider age range.
Thank you for your interest in the Bristol Youth Links Project. If you wish to contribute further, please complete the consultation feedback form (appendix 8 of the consultation documents).
I support the comments above which have argued for the commissioning of some city wide targeted support. This approach should complement Locality working but give more capacity, knowledge and skill to the way in which intensive support for more vulnerable young people is delivered.
We are currently providing a well established & developed intervention service for young people who are at risk because of substance misue, this service supports young people is in every secondary school in the City of Bristol, we cover south Bristol and work in partnership with another organision who covers the rest of the city.
I feel that we are disadvantaged as a service to bid into this process due to our size and financial status, it apears we are not big enough to take part in the consortium which is being formed in Bristol, nor are we able to attend the VOSCUR event for Small and Equalities-led VCS groups: 13 July, 5.30pm-8.30pm – because this meeting is only open to groups with an annual turnover of less than £50 000, so it feels that medium size organisations fall through the gap.
In response to need, the VCS consultation meeting for small/equalities-led groups on 13 July, 5.30-8.30pm is now open to medium-sized groups. Details are available on the Voscur website.
As part of a service offering specialist support to post-16 homeless young people in the City Centre, I have concern about the locality based commissioning focus of the new strategy and ask the same question as Dom above.
In our experience, some of the most vulnerable and disengaged young people tend to slip through locality safety nets and, particularly in cases of homelessness, do not feel able to (or wish to) access support in their locality. Often they are fleeing complex difficulties in their localities (or are turned away/evicted from their localities) and, as in other cities, their preference is to come to a city centre street level drop in when they are in crisis in order to access immediate help.
On average we have between 250 and 300 visits from young people per month, strong evidence of the need to maintain and strengthen city-wide specialist provision outside of locality-based services, in order to reach out to the most vulnerable young people when they are in crisis.
Whilst recognising the enormous benefits of locality provision for the majority of young people, is there a way within the new strategy to maintain specialist support services working with a city-wide remit, so that the hardest to reach young people (who often do not feel part of any locality) will feel able to refer themselves to services with a deep understanding of their issues?
The services within the scope of the BYL are delivered at tier 1 and tier 2 alongside and complementing the formal education system and tier 3 and 4 services for all children and young people aged 8 – 19 (and for those up to 24 with additional needs). The draft commissioning plan details that services will be targeted through universal access points at vulnerable and at risk children and young people, and lists the categories in section 6.5. It will be up to providers to engage with specialist services as appropriate and secure any specialist expertise they may need to deliver their outcomes. The development of the Station provides the opportunity to collaborate on a city wide level. The detail of your comment will be recorded as part of the consultation and given wider consideration by the board.
I agree with comments above re the need for citywide specialist services. I am concerned re young peoples access to counselling. At the moment there is a citywide provider with access available to any young person in the city. If this function is an optional part of locality consortia bids, there is potential for young people from some areas to be able to access counselling for emotional health issues, and others not to be able to do so- introduction of a ‘postcode lottery’ .
Thank you for your interest in the Bristol Youth Links Project. The case for citywide specialist services has been made by a number of respondents and is an area that will require further consideration by the board. If you wish to contribute further, please complete the consultation feedback form (appendix 8 of the consultation documents).
When the full tender document comes out will there be a more precise value for each of the seven locally based lots? I assume they won’t all be the same value – but will that be defined by BCC or by the company putting in the tender?
The final structure of the lots will be informed by the consultation. Once the structure of each lot is finalised the Board will determine the priority outcomes for each lot based on evidence of need.
For some of the targeted groups for targeted universal services such as teenage parents, homelss young people it would seem to be best to meet the needs by offering a service that covers all of the locality lots by a specialist provider. How will you make sure that the specialist delivery necessary will span the city.
The services within the scope of the BYL are delivered at tier 1 and tier 2 alongside and complementing the formal education system; and tier 3 and 4 services for all children and young people aged 8 – 19 (and for those up to 24 with additional needs). The draft commissioning plan details that services will be targeted through universal access points at vulnerable and at risk children and young people, and lists the categories in section 6.5. It will be up to providers to engage with specialist services as appropriate and secure any specialist expertise they may need to deliver their outcomes. The development of the Station provides the opportunity to collaborate on a city wide level. The detail of your comment will be recorded as part of the consultation and given wider consideration by the board.
My name is Rashid Elmi, i am parent and carer and i have lot of children hear
in bristol. I want to take part setting up this Bristol Youth Links project in bristol
please let me know how i can involve.
Regads
Rashid Elmi
The Draft Commissioning Plan outlines arrangements to commission services and we welcome your views on this through the feedback form. If you would like to become involved in current local services there are a lot of opportunities to volunteer and we would really like to discuss this further. If you are interested in more information please can you ring and speak to one of the team managers within the Youth and Play Service on 0117 352 5709 who will be able to provide you with much more information.
Update on the development of the Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan 2012
- 2017 (DRAFT)
The NEW Bristol Youth Links Project Board met on the 19th April, 2011. At the meeting draft papers were considered and members took away tasks to collate more information that will be used to inform the Commissioning Plan (DRAFT).
Note: See the Bristol Youth Links Project Board Terms of Reference and the notes of the meeting which will be posted on the BYL BLOG shortly
The next BYL Project Board Meeting is on the 17th May, 2011, following which the Commissioning Plan (DRAFT) and associated papers (Equality Impact Assessment, Needs Analysis etc) will be completed and posted onto BePS and the BYL Blog for a 90 day consultation period commencing in the last week of May.
The Bristol Youth Links Project Board are enthusiastic to hear from all stakeholders and will be arranging a number of consultation processes during the 90 days as well as getting your feedback via the blog.
BYL provides both universal and early intervention / prevention services to young people at Tier 1 and Tier 2. See the BLOG for definitions of universal, targeted universal and targeted support. In summary, it is only targeted support that is focused on individual young people.
There are a range of assessment tools and referral mechanisms in use in Bristol – work is being done to determine how these will or won’t be used by BYL in the future.
As BYL is aiming at focussing on targetted young people can you explain where the ‘dividing line’ between BYL and Early intervention will lie and what sort of processes for assesment and support will be required under BYL as opposed to Early intervention.
I would like to know which current funding streams are included within the BYL tender and why the potential amount available has dropped from £6m (Dec) to £4m at the market testing event?
In response to Rachel’s questions posted on 22nd March 2011:
Questions 1 – 5
The DRAFT Commissioning Strategy will be published for consultation by the end of April 2011 and will include information about TUPE and the proposed procurement process.
Question 6:
The BYL Project Team will consider how to ensure the tender form enables consortia to show their collective strengths, as well as those of the Lead Agency in whose name the bid is submitted.
Question 1: Will BCC make a statement in the tender documents about whether it believes TUPE is applicable in each Lot?
Question 2: Will BCC regard staff employed in voluntary/community organisations which have grants or contracts to provide ‘youth services’ of the type at issue in this tender to be eligible for TUPE, as well as Council staff?
Question 3: If so, when will BCC send pro formas to these VCS organisations to request all TUPE details on TUPE?
Question 4: Will there be a PQQ process then Invitations To Tender for those selected to bid?
Question 5: What is the latest idea on when the tender information will be available, and hence the PQQ/tender period begin?
Question 6: Will the tender form make it easy for consortia to show their collective strengths, as well as those of the Lead Agency in whose name the bid is submitted?