Council’s youth worker app to save up to £100,000 a year

An online application for youth workers being created by Surrey County Council is set to cut bureaucracy and save up to £100,000 a year.

IT staff are developing the technology for BlackBerry’s Playbook tablet computer and Torch smartphone.

Kay Hammond

The app will give youth workers secure access to young people’s records, allowing them to update personal details while on the move.

Cutting down on the amount of time spent on completing paperwork could save between £75,000 and £100,000 annually.

It is hoped that the app – the second to be developed by the council – will be launched by June as part of a push to ensure all 16 to 19-year-olds in Surrey are in education, training or employment by 2015.

Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services Kay Hammond said: “We’re determined to harness technology to give residents the best possible service and developing this home-grown app is the latest example of our willingness to embrace new ideas.

“It aims to save time and money by lightening the paperwork load, freeing up youth workers to spend more time with the young people they’re supporting.”

Head of Information Technology and Management Paul Brocklehurst said: “The beauty of apps is that they are secure. Nothing is stored on the phone or tablet so staff can use them safely on the go. We’ll continue to explore innovative ways to provide an excellent service.”

The development of the latest app comes after the council created one for BlackBerry smartphones to monitor trade waste being dumped at recycling centres for free and stop residents forking out £1 million a year to dispose of it.

It allows staff at the council’s 15 recycling centres to immediately check registered vehicles on a secure database of vans, pick up trucks and vehicles with large trailers.

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