Youth Strategy 2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 23 October 2024
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 23 October 2024 and its agenda
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Perth and Kinross Council Learning and Families Committee 23 October 2024 YOUTH STRATEGY 2024 Report by Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice (Report No. 24/294) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report introduces the Youth Strategy 2024 (Appendix 1) for Perth and Kinross. 1.2 The Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) Children, Young People and Families Partnership endorsed the Youth Strategy on 13 September 2024. This report seeks formal approval from the PKC Learning and Families Committee on the Strategy and accompanying Action Plan, based on the four themes of Safe, Voice, Citizenship and Community. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: • Approves the Youth Strategy 2024; and • Requests that the PKC Strategic Lead - Children, Families and Justice provides an annual progress report to the PKC Learning and Families Committee. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Section 5: Proposals • Appendices 4. BACKGROUND 4.1 In light of a renewed focus on support for young people through the Universal Youth Partnership and the United Nations Convention on Rights of a Child (UNCRC), a new Strategy has been developed in collaboration with young people to formalise our commitment to actions in line with what they told us was important to them. 4.2 Extensive consultation was undertaken as part of the development of the Strategy. This included three group consultations with young people from across Perth and Kinross, numerous individual consultations through involvement of Youth Services and consultation with partners.
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4.3 Young people involved in the consultations shared some very difficult personal stories and showed they were committed to improving life for their peers. They recognised the need for some young people to be supported to understand the impact of their behaviour on others and talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their lives. 4.4 Findings from the consultation showed that young people wanted to improve their communities, contribute to society and be free from bullying and discrimination. This Strategy provides a framework for that change. 4.5 Our Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) have encouraged and supported the development of the Youth Forum to drive forward the Strategy, which is being supported by the Children’s Rights Officer. The forum will be chaired by an MSYP, with representatives from a range of youth organisations, ensuring that there is a collective voice from our young people. It is anticipated in time, that the forum will challenge and support policies and practice in the best interests of young people. 4.6 The forum will ensure that Article 12 of the UNCRC will be adhered to, in that, young people will be listened to and taken seriously. 5. PROPOSALS 5.1 It is proposed that the PKC Learning and Families Committee approves the Youth Strategy 2024 and recognise the importance of all partners supporting our young people to fulfil the actions within the Strategy. 5.2 The PKC Learning and Families Committee is requested to support the establishment of a Youth Strategy Group to oversee the work associated with implementing the Strategy. The group will comprise of representatives from services who support young people and the Youth Forum. Author Name Designation Contact Details Linda Richards Service Manager FBSCommittee@pkc.gov.uk 01738 475000 Approved Name Designation Date Arun Singh Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice 08/10/2024
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes/None Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial None Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment yes Strategic Environmental Assessment none Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) none Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External Yes Communication Communications Plan Yes 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement in terms of the following priorities: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to Objective No. (i and ii). Corporate Plan 1.2 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the achievement of the Council’s Corporate Plan Objectives: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to Objective No. (i and ii).
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1.3 The report also links to the Education and Learning; and the Children, Families and Justice Services Vision, Values and Priorities in respect of the following all key Priority area: • Health and Wellbeing • Care and Equity • Safe and Protected 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 Not applicable. The Strategy will be met within existing resources. Workforce 2.2 There are no workforce implications. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 N/A 3. Assessments 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. *The Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) undertaken in relation to this report can be viewed by clicking here. 3.1.1 The proposals have been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome: (Keep the relevant statement and delete the two others not required.) (i) Assessed as relevant and the following positive outcomes expected following implementation: This strategy will promote the rights of all young people and will provide support in order that they meet their full potential. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.2 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. Not relevant to this policy
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Sustainability 3.3 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council also has a duty relating to climate change and, in exercising its functions must act: • In the way best calculated to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets. • In the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaption programmes. • In a way that it considers most sustainable. 3.3.1 N/A Legal and Governance 3.4 There are no legal implications. 3.5 N/A Risk 3.6 There are no risks attached to the strategy 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 The Strategy has been developed in partnership with young people. Perth and Kinross Council’s Education, Housing and Safer Communities teams have also been involved in the preparation of this report. External 4.2 A partnership meeting involving NHS Tayside, and third sector youth agencies have been involved in the development of the Strategy. 5. Communication 5.1 The Youth Strategy 2024 (Appendix 1), once approved, will be published on the Perth and Kinross Council website. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 No background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (and not containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing the above report. 3. APPENDICES 3.1 Appendix 1 – Youth Strategy 2024