Surrey’s youth work plans set out for minister

Surrey’s youth work plans set out for minister

The Minister for Civil Society has heard how Surrey County Council’s plans for young people’s services will result in more youth work being provided at less cost.

Surrey’s Assistant Director for Young People Garath Symonds set out the plans to transform services by working closely with the voluntary sector to Nick Hurd at a roundtable event organised for the Cabinet Office minister.*

It comes after Mr Symonds detailed Surrey’s approach to the Education Committee in March after the House of Commons select committee’s chairman Graham Stuart had described the plans as “constructive and forward-looking”.

Under Surrey’s plans, a local organisation or business will be appointed to run activities at each of the council’s youth clubs.

The authority is proposing to join forces with further education colleges to run vocational courses for 16 to 19-year-olds classified as not in education, employment or training at youth centres that are empty during the day.

In addition, Each of Surrey’s 11 local committees will also be given up to £200,000 a year for grass-roots activities or projects agreed with young people from the area.

Mr Hurd’s meeting was called to give the government a better understanding of how councils are working with voluntary organisations and other groups to commission services for young people.

Mr Symonds said: “Our innovative plans mean more support will be available for young people that will be better suited to their needs and better value for money.

“The minister must have liked what he heard because after the meeting the Cabinet Office got in touch to ask if we would be willing to offer support to other local authorities wanting to take our approach. We happily agreed.”

Kay Hammond, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “I’m proud that the expertise of one of the county council’s staff is being called upon to inform national policy.”

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* The Office for Civil Society, part of the Cabinet Office, works across government departments to devise practical policies and provide support to voluntary and community organisations.