PAPER B
Committee: EDUCATION, COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE LONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE
Date: 9
SEPTEMBER 2002
Title: LIVE
SERVICE OF CONNEXIONS FROM SEPTEMBER 2002
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF EDUCATION EFFECTIVENESS AND LIFELONG LEARNING
PURPOSE
1. This report seeks to inform the Select
Committee of the National Government approval of a "live" service
from September 2002 and the content of the regional business plan and the local
delivery plan.
BACKGROUND
2.
1 The Isle of Wight became part of a
pilot project for Connexions in April 2000. Previous papers to Executive July
2000 recommended approval of Isle of Wight Council involvement in the Pilot
activity. Again, in April 2001 the Executive received a progress report with
details of the Members Agreement, Articles of Association & Memorandum Of
Association of South Central Connexions Partnership Limited.
2.2
The pilot activity has been steered by a Co-ordination
Manager as a seconded post by the Head of Behaviour Support Service, (now
reformed and named Tuition & Behaviour Support)
2.3
South Central Connexions region covers the same area as the
Learning & Skills Council region. A memorandum of Understanding exists
between both parties, available on request from the Connexions Office.
INTRODUCTION
3.1 Connexions is a central Government
strategy. The strategy is designed to draw together service providers into a
cohesive, holistic service for all 13-19 year olds. This will include all
aspects of information, advice, guidance, personal development and academic
achievement. The Connexions strategy acknowledges the vital contribution all
stakeholders, (including schools, further and higher education institutions,
training providers, Youth Service and Social Services, Health and Youth
Justice) make to ensuring every young person gets the best start in life.
3.2
Within the Connexions strategy is a
discrete Service of Personal Advisers (P.A). These professionals will be
trained to work across traditional organisational boundaries. Every qualified
Personal Adviser will hold a professional qualification (NVQ Level 4 or
equivalent) and the Diploma for Personal Advisers.
3.3 There are eight Key Principles
underpinning the Connexions strategy and the Connexions Service. (Annex ONE)
3.4 Between March 2000 and August 2002 the
South Central Connexions Partnership (SCCP) have developed pilot activity with
the approval of Government Office of South East and the Connexions National
Unit.
3.5
A SCCP Business Plan has been
approved by National Government. The
business plan identifies nationally agreed targets for individual stakeholders
and recognises the contribution Connexions makes to the successful achievement
of the targets. It also identifies a Connexions specific target for the active
involvement of young people in the delivery of the Connexions service and the
need to improve the destination statistics of young people who become
"lost" to the system.
3.6
Consultation on a local delivery
plan occurred between October 2001 and April 2002. The local delivery plan was
approved by the Local management Committee in June 2002.
MANAGEMENT
ARRANGEMENTS
4.1
Each area within SCCP has been
required to create a Local Management Committee to oversee the work of the
local delivery team. The LMC is a multi-agency group that includes
representation by two young people. (See Annex TWO for current
membership).
4.2
The LMC is the local face for the
South Central Connexions Partnership Board.
4.3 The
Director of Education acts as chairperson to the LMC.
4.4
The Local Management Committee has
written, consulted upon and approved a delivery plan for the Isle of Wight.
4.5
Administration, quality assurance
and contract monitoring will be provided by a local team consisting of a
Co-ordination Manager, an Information / Data Manager, an Office Manager and a
administrative post. These posts will be managed by the SCCP Chief Executive,
Pamela Chalnwood.
4.6
The Co-ordination Manager post was
appointed in July 2002. Anne Hendon-John will be seconded from the Education
Department to fulfil this role. The Information / Data Manger post will be
advertised locally in September 2002. The Office Manager was appointed in March
2002, Sue Clifton-Moore will be seconded to Connexions from the Education
Department. The administrative role will be advertised locally in September
2002.
FINANCIAL
DETAILS
5.1
Local funding has been allocated
according to a nationally agreed funding formula that acknowledges level of
need. The formula was established following national consultation with
stakeholders during 2000-2001.
5.2
Details for local spending are identified in the Delivery Plan. It is estimated that Isle of Wight Connexions will receive a
notional additional £263,000 (full-year costs) of funding for 2002-2003.
5.3
Isle of Wight Connexions has been able to secure additional
funding from Learning & Skills Council, Drug Prevention Advisory Service,
New Opportunities Fund and via the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund.
5.4
The Local Management Committee is
committed to seeking funding opportunities from a variety of sources to ensure
a comprehensive service delivery. A Development Officer post has been included
in the staffing arrangements.
MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION
6.1
Connexions National Unit will
require local collection of data according to an established formula.
6.2
The data collection will inform the
Quality Standards process and negotiations for local contracts.
6.3
Responsibility for Data collection
will form part of local contracts and will be managed by the local Information
/ Data Manager, directed by the regional Data Controller.
6.4
Information will be collected
recognising the Data Protection Act 1998; the Human Rights Act 1998 and the
Learning and Skills Act 2000, section 114-122.
6.5
Detailed Information Management
Guidance is available on request from the Connexions Office
CONNEXIONS
CARD
7.1
In September 2002, young people aged
16 - 19 years on the Isle of Wight will become eligible to gain access to the
Connexions Card. The card is available to all "Learning Centres" and
will be introduced at no cost to the institution.
7.2
The Connexions Card will act as an
incentive to encourage young people to participate in education or training by
the issue of locally negotiated discounts.
7.3
The contract for the Connexions card
is held by Capita plc. Capita made a presentation to interested parties on the
Island in June 2002. It is anticipated that the microchip on the card will
allow it to be linked with Wight Leisure One Card.
7.4
Schools, IW College and Training Providers will be able to
negotiate for local incentives. Capita have been requested to discuss discount
travel with Southern Vectis.
7.5
The Connexions card carries a micro-chip giving the
potential for the Card to carry an e-purse, saving the need for carrying cash.
This additional function can be added to the card. The additional cost for
additional features will be the responsibility of each Learning Centre.
CONNEXIONS
STRATEGY & CONNEXIONS SERVICE
8.1
The Connexions Service of Personal Advisers will be
developed by "in-kind" contributions from Stakeholders and through
the Connexions funding for additional posts and activity.
8.2
The Connexions Strategy will be delivered through a
multiplicity of partnerships including the Learning & Skills Council, Local
Learning Partnerships, IWC directorates, the Health Trust and the voluntary
sector.
8.3
Annex THREE
gives further detailed information on the Youth Service.
8.4
Annex FOUR
gives further detailed information on the Careers Service.
8.5
Annex FIVE
gives further detailed information on Health Services.
8.6
Annex SIX
gives further detailed information on the Voluntary and Community sector.
8.7
Annex SEVEN
gives further detailed information on the Social Services and Housing
Directorate.
8.8
Annex
EIGHT gives further detailed information on the Youth Justice system.
8.9
Annex NINE gives further
detailed information on Young people with Special Educational Need.
8.10
Priorities for spending have been agreed by the Local
Management Committee as established in the local delivery plan.
9. BEST VALUE REVIEWS and INSPECTION
9.1
Connexions is currently involved in the Best Value review
for the Youth Service and the cross-cutting review for communications.
Connexions was also involved in the cross-cutting review called Opportunities
for Young People.
9.2
Research conducted by Connexions in July 2001 (known as the
E.R.I.C. research) has helped to inform the recommendations of the BV
Opportunities for young people review.
9.3
Full details of the findings from the E.R.I.C research can
be obtained from the Connexions Office.
9.4
Connexions will be subject to an Inspection process
conducted by Ofsted.
10. NEXT STEPS
10.1
Staff appointments for an additional Personal Advisor and an
additional Connextor (Peer Mentor) and administrator with ICT responsibilities
will take place in September - October 2002
10.2
By December 2002 Partnership Agreements will be established
with all schools and I W College to include Careers Advice and Guidance and
additional support for Citizenship and curriculum issues.
10.3
Data Information sharing protocol to be approved by all
partners before April 2003.
10.4
Publicity and Marketing of Connexions will be conducted as
part of a national scheme.
10.5
Connexions will continue to support the Youth Service
initiative for a one-stop Information, Guidance, Advice and Support Centre.
11.
CONCLUSION
11.1
Connexions will provide a radical way of working with, and
providing a service for young people. It requires the commitment of all
stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and effective approach to allowing each young
person the best start in life.
12.
RECOMMENDATIONS
12.1
To consider and discuss the implications of Connexions on
the delivery of IWC funded services for young people.
12.2
To suggest areas for partnership work
Contact point: Anne Hendon-John, IW
Manager, Tel 527565.
DAVID PETTITT
Head of
Education Effectiveness and Lifelong Learning