Latest Aiming High News

Aiming High Implementation Plan Update

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published an updated Aiming High For Young People: A Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities implementation plan. Published on 15 October, it sets out arrangements for implementing Aiming High and highlights progress to date, as well as the key actions which will be taken over the next 12 months. Developments include:

On ‘positive perceptions’

Progress on commitments to counteract negative perceptions of young people includes:

• 10 local authorities have been selected and will receive funding to pilot local events to celebrate young people’s achievements – This pilot project will be managed by The NYA.
• A PR agency has been appointed to support 15 areas to publicise local provision of positive activities and counteract negative perceptions of young people.
• Tendering to manage the Youth Week pilot has been published.

On empowerment

Progress includes:

• A survey of local authorities carried out by The NYA on behalf of the DCSF has shown that it is difficult to establish the extent to which local authorities are devolving budgets for positive activities to young people’s control, but that many are already taking steps to increase their influence.
• Begun procurement process for a delivery partner for the national body for Youth Leadership.

On places to go

Progress includes:

• The DCSF in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund has launched Myplace.
• Local authorities have received guidance on developing a more strategic approach to the planning and delivery of youth facilities.
• The Youth Taskforce is working with the 50 most deprived areas to conduct audits of provision and accelerate progress on improving youth facilities, including ensuring provision is available on Friday and Saturday nights.

On access and inclusion

Progress includes:

• All local authorities continue to receive baseline funding to deliver intensive and targeted activity programmes and 15 priority areas are receiving additional funding to deliver year-round programmes for young people at risk, in particular of involvement of gun and gang crime.
• Begun procurement process for contractor to increase the delivery of summer residential programmes for 09-11.

On workforce

Progress includes:

• The Children’s Workforce Development Council is starting to implement a forward work plan, which will include appointing contractors to develop programmes for leadership and management training; capacity building in the third sector; common apprenticeships; and a common foundation degree in December.

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