Service specification: community support grant for youth activities

Description

This fund aims to support community and voluntary organisations to increase the participation of young people through a diverse offering of services.
 

Relevant applicable legislation

Equality Act 2010 Human Rights Act 1998 Children Act 2004
Housing Act 1988 Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Children and Families Act 2014
Care Act 2014
 

Who is eligible for the service

All current Uttlesford residents from birth to 19 years of age (or up to 25 with a special educational, need and or disability or a care leaver).
 

Aims of the service

The Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services Listening Project 2023-24 (on ecvys.org.uk) highlighted a number of concerns from young people across Essex and specifically within Uttlesford including:

• knife crime
• drug dealing and taking
• being exploited by gangs

In the same project, young people identified a number of services and activities that they would like to take part in including:

• youth clubs
• sports activities
• study clubs
• safe indoor spaces to relax and see friends
• money management/budgeting support

The aim of the services are to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for young people in the district by:

• Developing a range of youth led activities based on youth feedback and input.
• Working with existing feedback mechanisms ensuring a wide range of views are captured to inform the service and wider council initiatives.
• Improving and expand access to a range of services and activities including:
  • sports and informal physical activities
  • cultural activities
  • outdoor residential, weekend or holiday-time activities
  • special interest clubs
  • volunteering activities
• Working in partnership with Uttlesford District Council, Essex County Council's Public Health Service, Active Essex, Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, relevant voluntary sector organisations alongside town and parish councils to deliver services to a range of ages and interests.
• Ensuring activities are inclusive to young people with a range of needs and abilities and accessible across Uttlesford.
• Supporting the development of effective feedback mechanisms for young people to ensure services meet needs locally. Use these mechanisms to identify barriers to access and participation to share with the council and partners through the Uttlesford Health and Wellbeing Board.
• Increasing the number of young people participating in services and activities including those with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND).

Service user outcomes

Resilient children and young people

As a direct result of the service more people will:

• support them to build their skills
• increase resilience
• improve trust and tolerance
• champion their voice

Inclusive communities

As a direct result of the services, more people will:

• be supported to access a range of social and leisure opportunities
• feel connected into local support networks
• help to become active members of society

Safe and accessible neighbourhoods

As a direct result of the services, more people will:

• feel safe
• increase access to trusted people

What is included

Expanded feedback mechanisms for young people across Uttlesford.

New activities and services for children and young people.

Expansion of activities for example to a new cohort or in a new location.
 

What is excluded

Religious or political activities, or activities promoting religious or political beliefs.

Statutory activities (activities that the organisation has a legal requirement to deliver).

Activities taking place outside the district.

Activities that took place before the project began or after the project ended, as detailed in the grant offer letter.

Activities that have already been funded through other public funding sources.

Capital expenditure.
 

Requirements

The successful organisation must be able to:

• work with other organisations to ensure an inclusive set of sports and physical activities
• work with Active Essex to ensure that services are not duplicated
• ensure staff have enhanced or basic DBS checks depending on roles which are shared with Uttlesford District Council as the commissioner

Key performance indicators

Contract management arrangements

Operational

Meeting: Operational meeting with key council services.

Frequency: Quarterly (or more frequently if required) and with an annual report to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Co-production and feedback groups to be formed and attended by the council (and partners) where relevant.

Contract

Meeting: Contract meeting - to discuss and review (not limited to):

• outcomes achieved
• key performance indicators (against a mutually agreed baseline at each meeting)
• number and type of safeguarding referrals
• staff and volunteer information (turnover, new starters, DBS information for new starters and any renewals)
• service budget - actuals and projections against Uttlesford District Council contract budget

Frequency: Quarterly.