A New Way of Working
All young people require access to high-quality universal services, but young people at risk of poor outcomes and with additional needs also require targeted support from services.
These young people's needs are not met by services in isolation, and as they often do not meet eligibility criteria for statutory services, they frequently do not get the balance of support they require.
They might have multiple issues and needs, including one or more of the following: disruptive or anti-social behaviour; parental conflict; involvement in or risk of offending; poor attendance or exclusion from school; special educational needs; disabilities; poor nutrition; ill-health; substance misuse; anxiety or depression; housing issues; pregnancy and parenthood.
Targeted youth support is delivered collaboratively through a range of services, including: education welfare, behaviour support, Connexions, youth services, social services, drugs and alcohol, sexual health, mental health, housing support, school nurses, youth offending services; and through Positive Activities for Young People, the Young People's Development Programme, Positive Futures, youth inclusion programmes, and the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.
So how does targeted youth support relate to the rest of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme?
To ensure young people get the support they need, the green paper Youth Matters set out a vision that, by April 2008, every young person at risk of not achieving the five Every Child Matters outcomes should be able to access the following targeted youth support from their local children's trust:
A single point of contact to support and challenge - a lead professional
A support package that draws on mainstream and specialist services of sufficient quality and quantity
A single route of referral to extra support from different agencies as soon as risks emerge
Help to access support earlier on
Help to live in a stronger family environment
Downloads
Developing Southend's integrated service delivery model.
Engaging the VCF Sector.
Increasing the influence of the VCF Sector.
Integrated Locality Working.
Making it Happen Working together for children, young people and families.
PSA14.
Targeted Youth Support - A Guide.
Youth Matters Next Steps Summary.
Youth Matters Young Person Version.
For more information visit: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/targetedyouthsupport