Young People 23 June 2015

Time Topic Speaker

6pm Introductions Cllr Mark Santos & Julia Slay, Co-chairs

6.10pm Redbridge Children's Services : Challenging Disadvantage ; Promoting Achievement

Pat Reynolds, Director of Children’s Services &

Councillor Elaine Norman, Deputy Leader and Cabinet

Member for Children and Young People

6.35pm Challenges Faced by Young People in Ilford Rachel Macfarlane,

Principal, Isaac Newton Academy

7.00pm Break

7.15pm “Youth Voice” Building Strong Communities Redbridge Youth Council

7.40pm Removing Barriers Ann Garrard, RCYPN

8.05pm Working together to enable integration with dignity

Evis Bodlli and Flutura Shega, Shpresa Programme

8.30pm Panel Discussion

9.00pm Close

Agenda

Redbridge Children's Services: Challenging Disadvantage;

Promoting Achievement

Redbridge Child Poverty: the facts

• Child poverty in Redbridge is 21%• Dramatic divide for under 16 poverty: 27% in south

compared with 18% in north (43% in Loxford Ward)• 19% of residents earn less than London Living wage

(London average is 18%)• Benefit claimants lose an average £1,881 per household

in welfare reforms (both in work and out)

National link between child poverty and children’s social care • Causes of poverty: worklessness; disability; large

family size; minority ethnic groups; no recourse topublic funds

• Families under pressure due to housing issues;welfare reform; austerity etc

• Family dysfunction: domestic violence; mental illhealth; substance and alcohol abuse

• Toxic Trio in serious case reviews and in >50% ofsocial care assessments here last year

Children’s Services contributions to tackling child poverty include:

• Free childcare for deprived 2 year olds and 15 hours for 3and 4 year olds;

• Overall very good educational achievement to degreelevel and low ‘NEETs’;

• Early Intervention and Family Support Housing Project(34% increase over 19 months in March 2014);

• Children in Need (including families with no recourse topublic funds) support for children in severe poverty.

Early Help: providing support early before problems escalate

• Children’s Services: parenting skills and access to familysupport

• Troubled Families interventions• Early Intervention and Family Support Service (only 2% of

cases subsequently needed social care, 59% of casesconcern benefits/housing issues)

• Cost benefit analysis: just for the child protection andassessment of social care staff costs alone = £315,000savings last year

Domestic Violence (DV)

• DV is the biggest single cause of referrals tochildren’s social care (38.3% last year)

• Cost to children’s social care was £1.99m last year• Support to families, programmes for victims and

abusers, children’s centres and families• Department of Communities and Local Government

grant for a one stop shop for DV services beingprocured for October 2015

The different ways the Youth Council

involves different young people across the borough on different issues

affecting them

36 members since April 2015 Gender - 12 Male 24 Female Age: 13-15: 63% 16-19: 37% Ethnicity:

White: 11%, Black:25% Asian:61% Other: 3% Inclusive

We are individual young people who are interested in youth involvement projects, and want to do something for other young people.

Although there are 36 members on the Youth Council, we need to involve different young people across the borough on different issues.

UK Youth Parliament – 2Youth MPs, 2 Deputy Youth MPs

Over 10,000 young people voted in Feb 15 on the candidates’ manifesto

Youth MPs and their deputies deliver their manifestos projects as promised

Young Cabinet – 9 Young Cabinet Members mirror the adult Cabinet structure

LSCB Youth Forum Schools’ Councils Conferences The link with Children In Care Council Representation at different meetings/forum

Children’s Trust Partnership Board CCG Patient Engagement Forum Fairness Commission Leisure and Cultural Strategy Panel

Annual Youth Debate and Youth Council and Young Cabinet Priorities Fund

British Youth Council – “Make Your Mark” campaign

Regular meetings with DCS and Cabinet Member

Surveying young people’s opinion

Gathering opinions Identifying issues Making representation through the Youth

Council and Young Cabinet structure Cabinet Member and Director of Children’s

Services Making a difference Building a Strong Young Community

Thank You!

Removing Barriers

Ann Garrard, Co-Chair Redbridge Children and Young People’s Network

(RCYPN)

Brief Background

• Support of RedbridgeCVS - first funding from NHS in 2001 • RedbridgeCVS hosted Children’s Fund from 2003 to 2008 • RCYPN was an integral part of that and continued after Children’s Fund went

to LBR • Became independent charity in 2010 at LBR’s request to be the Strategic

Partner for children and young people

Vision and Mission (Summary) • For all children & young people to enjoy good health, quality safe play, learning opportunities and support for their development; • To work in partnership; • To help shape services to reflect the needs and interests of children, young

people and their families. See www.rcypn.org.uk for full version).

How This is Done

• Network Meetings; • Information Exchange and Cascade (Dissemination); • Representation; • Website; • Facilitate Training - emphasis on Safeguarding.

Fairness

• Not being excluded • Removing barriers

Barriers

Overarching barrier of POVERTY links to many others including:

• Employment; • Housing; • Restricted opportunities in leisure and education.

Vulnerable Groups Facing Barriers • Bed and Breakfast Accommodation;

• Disability/SEND; • Domestic Abuse; • BAMER Groups; • Impact of Benefit Changes; • Not in Education, Employment, Training (NEET); • Children Looked After; • Mental health, Substance Misuse; • Young Carers; • Young Parents; NB - Children and young people may be included in more

than one of these groups.

What Can Make a Difference?

• Working in Partnership; • Improved Communication; • People with Passion; • Stable, realistic and sustainable core funding for the

voluntary sector.

Shpresa Programme

Young people Redbridge Council

23rd June 2015

Background

Shpresa is a user –led organization Set up in 2003 Users of the services provided - Albanian

speaking refugees, asylum seekers and migrant from Albania, Kosova,Macedonia Registered as Charitable Company Charity No.1110688 Company No.4692860

What were the issues that families faced when we started the project

Lack of language Lack information about society Lack of awareness about services Trauma Living in limbo for long time Living in deprived areas Lack of community support Lack of trust and role model Cultural differencies Different expectation about quality life

Mission To enable the Albanian speaking community in

UK to settle and fully participate in society and realize their full potential. We want to promote a positive identity and recognition of our community’s cultural and linguistic heritage, both among Albanian speakers and wider society so that we can contribute to Big Society in the UK

How it all started Supporting our self Mobilising our community to help themselves Out – looking – working in partnership Maintaining user-led while developing our

organisation Being Creative and look at our work through

different angles Creating role models Providing Family centred services

Our model

Rules that we followed Knowing what you want to achieve and how

to achieve it

Identify who can actually help you and what is in it for them

Sometimes, (not always) the solution will be money -That’s when you look for them.

Develop your self as well as your organisation

We Learned

1. No one knows everything

2. All that ‘joined up’ partnership work , isn’t actually joined up from the top

3. Partnership match- making works when the honesty and respect are core of relationship

Projects up in running

Women’s Project Children’s and young peoples project Volunteering project Advice and advocacy project Cultural events Campaigning

Children’s Project

Albanian school project After school, Half term and holiday

schemes Parents support group Heritage project Campaigning Training

Selecting partners

Identify partners with similar values as our organisation Decide on how best we can work

together and what are our communications channels. Arrange for a pilot project to take place

when possible Run a minimum 3 months pilot project.

Reasons why partners should trust us

Track record Successfully addresses specific issues with other partners Policies in place especially Safeguarding children policy

and Health and safety (CRB checks for all staff and volunteers)

Clear target group Clear aims and outcomes Community back up References/good track record Offer solution for a number of isues Evaluate regularly our services

SUCCESSES over years Operating in 8 boroughs in 11 mainstream school Have our own Community Building Secured funding every year to run our activities Received Queens Award – 2006 Received Bronze award from NRC in 2009 Received Gold Award for 2 our supplementary school 2010 Received Special distinction Award in 2011 for 3 of our school Received gold award December 2014 for our youth project Implemented the PQASSO level 2 in 2011 Invited three time by the Queen at Buckingham palace Invited twice at No 10 by the Prime minister Received the Communities of health by Newham PCT The project director received the Honorary Women of the year 2012. Over the past 3 years over 70 volunteers have gained NVQ training mainly TA , Child

care, customer services etc Every week 350-400 children, 200-250 women,45-95 volunteer use our services Only 2013-2015 we have supported 90 women facing Domestic violence Supported 11 different new community groups to set up sustainable services

Albanian School Project The Project aims to: Improve children’s language and literacy skills in

Albanian Improve children’s attainment in their mainstream

school Improve parent/child communication within the family Improve parent/teacher/child communication Raise awareness of Albanian culture in the school and

community Raise the awareness of the refugee, asylum seekers

and migrants in the school (Pupils/teachers) Share the model with other groups

Shpresa’s Women’s Health and Well-being Project aims to:

Signpost Albanian-speaking women to specific issues

organisation such as mental health support services or DV Provide culturally relevant services and support to

vulnerable women Provide a holistic package of mental health support

through joint work with the Women’s Therapy Centre Raise awareness of the needs of Albanian women

experiencing mental and emotional distress, trauma etc Raise the awareness of the needs of Albanian Women

experiencing domestic violence.

What schools benefit from our work?

Activities in line schools aims Raising attainment Improving attendance and punctuality Student voice Helping the school to engage with parents Offering training and Albanian cultural awareness for the

teacher and pupils Organizing assemblies at the school Helping the school to meet Community Cohesion Agenda

and parents engagement AND A LONG COMMITMENT

Where are we today in Redbridge

Redbridge council funded us for 6 years for the work with young people .We were able to :

Create a hub for the community to belong and where we help each other and other communities

access more funding to maximize our services . We were able to run women’s project, DV. Mental health, Albanian classes etc

train other groups from different communities. Forge strong relationship with Mayfield school, Ramfel, Life

line etc

Feedback from school “I felt a great sense of achievement working with the group- they were

so proud to put on the traditional costumes and perform. The children in school who watched the performance were also very impressed, and had more respect for those pupils after the event. I'm not sure about the effect it had on the children's work in class as I do not teach any of the older ones, but it has had a big impact on self esteem and pride in cultural heritage. This year in Yr 1 several friends of the Albanian pupils have asked to join the club- it now has a higher status. The children are proud to be able to speak Albanian, which is great. So often peer pressure takes over and so many parents say their children will only speak to them in English once they start school. I was also delighted when so many parents, aunties, baby brothers etc turned up laden with food for the end of term party- it felt like a real community event, and the parents were so pleased with what had taken place. It has given the parents an opportunity to get to know each other better too.

School teacher

Key factors in Shpresa’s success

Inclusiveness – Shpresa has a very strong culture of family, friendship, solidarity and warmth which gives rise to high levels of trust and openness. It also sends out messages of inclusiveness to newcomers, so that they can take full advantage of the opportunities as quickly as possible

Cultural Identity – Shpresa’s programme of activities, and provision of a ‘space’ for the Albanian-speaking community provides a clear reinforcement of identity of what it means to be Albanian through language, dances and cultural climate and activities. This reinforces family ties by giving better means of communication between parents and children and building new links to grandparents. This clarity of identity is experienced as providing a way of finding one’s place in British society and giving rise to respect from others outside the Albanian community.

Problem Solving Know-How – In Shpresa it is clear that the staff act as role models to service users and volunteers, and demonstrate consistent patterns of behaviour

Focus on women and young people – The Shpresa Programme provides a range of specific projects for children, young people and women. Hence, there appears to be a focus on these groups. Although this focus was probably not intentional, it has had the effect of reaching those who are the most significant holders and transmitters of cultural values.

Progressive Steps – Participants reported how they have continued to take on progressive challenges to suit their stage of development both within Shpresa, such as the volunteering programme, or outside, such as courses to further their career aspirations. It is clear that the staff take an active hand in encouraging and supporting this climate of self-development. There is a strong feeling amongst women who are current and ex-service users that by being in the UK and in contact with Shpresa, that they can achieve things that would not have been possible at home in their personal development and careers. This is partly because they can access courses and training; partly due to encouragement from staff members; and partly because of the increase in confidence that contact with Shpresa and use of its services, offers.

Understanding the UK & Getting the UK to Understand Albanians – Many people reported how the Shpresa Programme had fostered integration rather than separation. Many commented on the programmes, visits and activities to give insight and understanding and encourage appropriate involvement with UK society. There was evidence that the Shpresa Programme helps service users of all ages to understand and feel comfortable with British culture.

Develop staff as well as the organization every year Shpresa organizes a listening campaign and audit one of the project such as special distinction or Albanian school project, gold for youth work, expert in volunteering for the volunteering project etc

End child detention protest Cultural event

Sharing our model - working with others

"It has been a privilege to work with Shpresa over the last decade. The sheer energy and commitment the team show in advancing the opportunities and achievements of Albanian-speaking children and their families is remarkable. They have long experience of developing projects with schools and local authorities that deliver. One vital ingredient for their success is the commitment and skill they have in realising the participation of the communities they serve in identifying and tackling the challenges they face".

Tim Spafford Consultant

"Shpresa is an organisation I have watched grow with admiration. A truly inspirational model of community development that supports and enables self help in the most dynamic and creative way. It's hard to distinguish staff, volunteers, trustees and beneficiaries - in fact many people have all these roles - evidencing genuine cohesive bottom-up development. I'm proud to have been involved since the organisation's inception and I continue to learn from their evolving model of how to work effectively with migrant communities.

Emma Mortoo Learning Manager

What issues the community now

Increase number of unaccompanied young people Women's facing DV Unemployment Young people Engaging in antisocial

behavior Lack of training integration

Who responsibility is for future work

Council? Community ? Government?

It is us all, we are doing our bit as good as

we can but we would like our LA to

Toolkit and Evaluation

http://www.shpresaprogramme.com/news.html http://www.youtube.com/user/ShpresaVideo

#p/u/5/xDCJ_xV4N_k http://www.youtube.com/user/ShpresaVideo

#p/u/4/RqnlyF-GPbU http://www.youtube.com/user/ShpresaVideo

#p/u/3/KimwdNz4d1Y

For further information contact us Address: Mansfield house ,30 Avenons rd,

london, E13 8HT Tel 0207 5111 586 Email:shpresaprogramme@yahoo.co.uk WEB : www.shpresaprogramme.com Join us on facebok: Shpresaprogramme Blog: http://shpresablog.blogspot.co.uk/

THANK YOU

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER COMMISSIONS

Fairness Commission Direct action Influencing place Influencing governmentYORK ‘Get ready for work’ summer schools for high

school students involving local businessesPool resources to tackle child poverty

TOWER HAMLETS Local business to guarantee work experience for 25% of local students

Wide aspirational school curriculum

PLYMOUTH Extend FSMs to all primary school children

Pilot providing a meal a day to disadvantaged pupils outside of term time and assess costs and benefits

Peer mentoring for young people in money management

CAMDEN Equality Taskforce Build on good practice careers education, eg. the Careers Week format used at Netley/Torriano Junior School and Dreamcatchers project used by School Improvement Service

Businesses, local FE providers and the Council develop a curriculum for young entrepreneurs which promotes the skills needed for enterprise.

Maths and English curriculum fit for the modern labour market

Better promote the current one day a week vocational offer to schools and pupils

ISLINGTON Set up 'Islington Reads' programme with voluntary sector partners. Launch of ‘Baby’s first library card’ scheme with the Registrars’ service to encourage new parents to get library membership for their baby. In 2013, 850 children completed the Summer Reading Challenge, an increase of 11% on the previous year

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER COMMISSIONS

Fairness Commission Direct action Influencing place Influencing government

BIRMINGHAM Giving Hope Changing Lives

Targeted reduction in cost of transport for young people and families - with free transport for young people

Local inclusive growth strategy developed with schools and business experts - city-wide and also targeting locales with distinctive strengths/challenges (identified through co-design process)

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Council to run a campaign to promote the apprenticehsip programme to businesses, adapting it so smaller businesses can participate

Business-led education forums to support teachers to develop strategic relationships with local firms

Work-based learning in school education

Working with schools, colleges and universities to link up hardship funds into a local Educational Maintanence Allowance style bursary

Develop youth-club twinning, connecting with youth clubs in other cities

GREATER MANCHESTER Poverty Commission

A free public transport pass in Greater Manchester for residents living in poverty, to increase access to services. For anyone in receipt of means-tested benefits and young people undertaking apprenticeships

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER COMMISSIONS

Fairness Commission Direct action Influencing place Influencing government

WAKEFIELD Use key worker approach to ensure all NEETs have quality educational and job opportunities available to them

Lobby for 'a physical presence for Higher Education in the district'

Lobbying to ensure the Youth Contract is more spactially targeted so areas of high deprivation get preferential treatment

SHEFFIELD A city-region programme to trial new ways of tackling youth unemployment including work trials and links to City Deal apprenticeships. This has received government funding. The Council has also spent £190,097 providing a 15% increase in the wages (an additional 40p per hour) for apprentices on the Sheffield 100 Programme. The impact of this funding has been to increase the pay for 200 young people who are on low pay

Extra-curricular activities. The Council has introduced a volunteer led model that will enable delivery of activities for young people. This is being implemented by Sheffield Futures in partnership with local groups and organisations. Over 50 Organisations have to date now been supported to deliver a range of activities, and over 100 new volunteers have been recruited and deployed

Give additional community or home based academic support to young people who face structural barriers to success

Support parents to have the skills and knowledge needed to support their children to achieve their aspirations. The City Wide Learning Body has taken as a key priority improving communication with and the engagement and involvement of parents in their child’s learning and school life

Introduce peer mentoring for 11-12 year olds, paired with slightly older young people who have succeeded in meeting their aspirations (particularly in going to university)

Recommend a capped day saver rate for young people using public transport.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHER COMMISSIONS

Fairness Commission Direct action Influencing place Influencing government

LIVERPOOL A programme of GEC summit legacy events and structures that will provide practical support and encouragement to young people enabling them to realise their entrepreneurial potential

Provide a sustainable allowance thatenables young people from low-income families to attend training and education programmes that will enable them to enter the job market

Ensure the provision of school meals (both breakfast and lunch) for children and young people whose families are in receipt of welfare

NEWCASTLE Active engagement with communities toprevent the escalation of tensions, to bringpeople together in an environment which candeal constructively with difficult debates

BLACKPOOL Give young people more opportunities to get work experience and help them get training and qualifications

The University of Liverpool undertake work to raise aspirations through learning activities and outreach programmes – this includes primary and secondary school engagement with the University