Targeted youth support: overview of the change process
The redesign of targeted youth support (TYS) is, in effect, Every Child Matters for at-risk young people. It builds on work local partners are already doing to develop more personalised and effective TYS within the context of wider youth provision and Change for Children programmes. This redesign process is a means to an end, creating better services to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Most local authorities are already familiar with the remodelling change process through TDA Development (formerly National Remodelling Team) programmes that support the implementation of the national agreement and the development of extended schools. The TYS pathfinder project has adapted this process and based it around partners in local authority area children's trusts, young people, parents and communities.
The change process is flexible. Other initiatives for young people such as core Every Child Matters polices like the Common Assessment Framework, the lead professional role, Sure Start children's centres, extended schools, multi-agency working and joint planning and commissioning can and should be integrated with it as part of the local Change for Children programme. People with responsibility for these other initiatives should, when appropriate, be included in TYS senior management groups.
While many of the activities and tools in this toolkit can be used in isolation, the process is far more powerful when implemented sequentially through its five stages:
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Mobilise stakeholders and agree the local change programme
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Discover and assess the current situation
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Deepen understanding of the current situation through the experiences
of young people and their families
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Develop future service models and how to get there
- Deliver the service model
Click to download a PDF chart giving an overview of the TYS activities and achievements.
Local teams will have experience and skills they may use in addition to the activities and tools provided. These activities help deliver the change process achievements set out in this toolkit. Each achievement must be fully accomplished before moving onto the next stage of the change process. Many children's trusts will have already accomplished some of the achievements.
As you move through the change process, it is helpful to be aware that teams typically follow an emotional change curve, affecting levels of motivation and confidence.
The process has challenged cultural norms and silos. People often talk a
lot about partnership, but don't always deliver it. They talk to each
other, but don't always really work collaboratively. Now they do this and
will sit together and challenge their own services and not just other
people's. This is a big cultural change and is fundamental to reform. This
process forces them into that position.
Kim Bromley-Derry, Director of Children's Services, South
Tyneside
There is a temptation to look for solutions quickly without following the change process. This should be avoided. Pathfinders have reported many instances when the process revealed their assumptions were not comprehensive or accurate. Accuracy is vital if effective solutions tailored to meet specific needs are to be developed.
While there is no set timescale for the initial run-through of the change process, it is typically run over a period of six months to a year. It continues to be run into the long term to resolve new issues as they appear.
Further resources
Targeted
Youth Support: Pathfinder Project
Targeted
Youth Support: Personal View Case studies
This page was last updated on 07 June 2006
