Targeted youth support: online service directory supports practitioners, children, young people and families

Newcastle and Gateshead are working together on the Passport to Services initiative as part of the DfES information sharing and assessment local authority implementation support group (formerly ISA trailblazers).

The Passport to Services team has created an online service directory for practitioners, children, young people and families to use as a fast and convenient way of finding out about a range of activities, events and support services to suit their needs and interests.

The service directory

Ordinarily, most practitioners are not aware of all services available in their area. The service directory provides information of over 1000 local, regional and national services. It provides information that helps practitioners support children, young people and families access a greater choice of provision and supports the move from service provision being service-driven to needs-driven.

The directory also provides open access to children and families via the internet, at home and in libraries and other public access points. Children can now search for services in their immediate area by age range, service name, keyword or by using an A-Z search and selecting from available services.

Results

Many frontline practitioners involved in the analysis phase of the TYS pathfinder where not aware of the services directory, but expressed interest in such a service. As a result, details of the service directory and how to use it have been presented to practitioners. The increased knowledge and use of the services directory is a quick win within the pathfinder.

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