LGA work

The Unified Offer

Development work on the Unified Offer is continuing. The NYA is working with 5 local authorities (Sheffield, Croydon, Shropshire Leeds, Gateshead) to pilot a ‘universal offer’ of support to councils, drawing together a range of NYA products and services, underpinned by bespoke consultancy. A standalone Community Of Practice will be publically launched on April 1st.

Research

This financial year, the NYA has undertaken two large research projects, exploring young people’s experiences of careers information, advice and guidance, and perspectives on what would best support 100% participation in learning up to the age of 18. Both reports involved a mixed method approach combining qualitative data and a series of focus groups off young people, parents and teachers. Both reports will be published by the end of March 2011.

The NEET Engagement Network

The NEET Engagement Network is now well established across the ten participating councils. Each area has now produced a project plan detailing how it will use the support of the Network, and the NYA, to engage young people NEET locally in decision making and planning of provision. All areas are preparing to support young people NEET to undertake a local ‘audit’ of provision aimed at (re)engaging young people. The results of the audits will be presented at local roundtable events, attended by the council, its partners and stakeholders, and young people themselves. Young people from the Engagement Network also recently facilitated a session at the recent RPA conference held at the LGA.

Young Researcher Network

The seven research grants that we gave out in the last year (six to councils, one to an NHS run project) are close to completion. These projects explore a range of issues that affect the lives of young people, such as making services accessible to young people with a learning disability or sensory impairment, the impact of poverty on their city, and support for young people in caring roles. We are running a Young Researcher Network event at the LGA in March "Celebrating Achievement and Shaping the Future of Youth Led Research" will celebrate their achievement and shape the future of the network as we move into the next financial year.

Youth Justice

As part of its youth justice activity, NYA has produced a ‘Young People’s Voice and Influence’ Report in February 2011. This is the culmination of research with Youth Offending Teams and service users which examined the extent of service user participation and identifies examples of good practice within YOTs. We will also be publishing two training resources for youth justice practitioners that will be available in the spring. We are also currently assessing the impact of participation of young people in the youth justice system. This publication will also be ready in the spring.