Targeted youth support: local authorities share learning

Representatives from nine East Midlands' local authorities (four on the targeted youth support pathfinder), from education and social care, plus colleagues from health and the voluntary sector, are meeting on a regular basis to share challenges and solutions around children and young people, including targeted youth support (TYS).

This 'Regional Learning Partnership' increases the opportunity for collaboration between the nine authorities and the services for young people, provides the time and support they need to address key challenges, and facilitates the sharing of expertise and experience between all the participants.

Why change was needed

Local authorities and services for young people nationally are experiencing a time of rapid change and immense challenge and having to respond to, and implement, a number of far-reaching initiatives, for example TYS. To meet these challenges, it is vital learning is shared and local authorities and other involved organisations support each other.

Action taken

In the East Midlands, the local  government office, the DfES, the Department of Health and the Care Services Improvement Partnership felt the nine local authorities (and services for young people) in the area would benefit from being given the time and space to work collaboratively and share and address key challenges around children and young people.

To realise the opportunity, they invited strategic leaders from children's services, primary care trusts and the voluntary sector to meet on a regular basis as an informal team sharing information, addressing challenges and working across areas and agencies. These meetings involve a keynote presentation and themed sessions to tackle common challenges, which areagreed in advance of the meetings by all participants.

Ultimately, the core purpose of the project is to help all the participants improve their support for children and young people, parents and communities, especially those at risk.

Pete Chilvers, School Development Support Agency and co-ordinator of the project

Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Derby City and Leicester City local authorities are sharing their experience of the TYS pathfinder with the other five authorities. This is anything but a one-way communication; the other authorities are all involved in targeted youth support work and have many ideas and examples of good practice to share. 

All communications, outside meetings, in the Regional Learning Partnership are electronic. Information is disseminated regularly to over 400 people (many unable to make the meetings) on the project's fast-growing email network.

The results

Just four months into the project, the benefits are already being felt. Sharing and collaboration across the local authorities and the services for young people is stronger, faster and more productive than ever and there is a growing feeling of mutual support and mentoring within the group. The project participants are optimistic this will have a very positive effect on the work they do with young people.

Click to read more good practice case studies related to the targeted youth support change process.