What future
for young people?
by Lisa Swift
Following our coverage of difficulties
at Sheffield Futures last month (see issue 41:
Future Deals),
the New Deal RIF Approval Group refused to approve their
detached youth work project because of concerns about
the management arrangements. John Clark, Chief Executive
of New Deal, explained there were other concerns.
“We don’t want
New Deal money replacing services because Futures
are making cutbacks. We don’t want the same
old provision by the same people. But we must face
facts – mainstream youth services will always
be with Sheffield Futures. If New Deal wants to make
lasting changes, we must work with them.”
New Deal have asked them to guarantee
existing service levels, and to recruit new people to
the posts, not just reallocate existing staff. Futures
are prepared to commit to that, but it could be September
before agreement is reached and workers recruited.
BCAF’s Children and Young People’s
Working Group hoped the project would not just target
certain groups of young people, giving the impression
bad behaviour is rewarded. John Clark emphasised all
activities will be open to all, with some work to encourage
disaffected young people to be involved.
New Deal funding will also go to local
organisations. Listen to Us will be providing activities
and developing a youth council. Ellesmere Youth Project
will continue work in Ellesmere and Carwood, and a Somali
youth project is being developed. John Clark said, “It’s
important activities happen all year round, not just
in summer. We need a co-ordinated approach to keep young
people informed – we hope Sheffield Futures can
help with this. They will be supporting voluntary organisations
by providing training for adults who are working with
young people without proper qualifications.”
Next: Futures
respond
Helen Bale, Sheffield Futures’
Area Director for the Burngreave area, responds to the
article last issue about Sheffield Futures and the youth
services in the Burngreave area...
Previous: Behaviour
team kept busy
What has Burngreave Anti-social Behaviour
team been doing to tackle these issues? Rob Smith went
along to speak to team leader Wendy Barlow...
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