Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services which sought feedback on the draft City Youth Participation Strategy. This had been developed by City Gateway alongside partners who work with young people in the City, and used the ‘Silent Voice, Say, Do, Decide’ model to engage with a wide cross-section of the youth population in the City.

Rob Stanex from City Gateway answered Members’ questions on the strategy, and it was noted that:

·         As this strategy would be launched throughout the Corporation and partners, champions would be needed in every department and organisation, to be supported and trained by City Gateway;

·         A two-way flow of communication was needed - training would enable young people to effectively address Committees and express themselves as well as help City Corporation and partner agency staff to work intergenerationally;

·         As there was difficulty in defining young people from the City (as opposed to travelling through) and accessing City residents who attend schools in other Boroughs, want to engage with as many organisations as possible who work with young people within the City;

·         City Gateway were linked to the Challenge network, though they were not currently a partner agency.

RESOLVED – that the draft City Youth Participation Strategy be approved, and that updates on the implementation of the plan from the Children’s Executive Board be received at future meetings.