Meeting documents

            Meeting: Cabinet (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 31/07/2008 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A3 Joint Overview and Scrutiny Group Report: Young People not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

         

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Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose

1 To seek Cabinet approval for recommendations from an overview and scrutiny review that looked into young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

Information

2 The Children Act 2004 set out the Government's agenda for the development and direction of Children's Services in the future. It involved integrating and co-ordinating all services for children, young people and their families by bringing together a number of key stakeholders who impact on children and young people for example the NHS, Local Authority Social Services, Education and others.

3 The Act charges Local Authorities with leading the necessary changes, and consequently to help achieve this, Durham County Council works in partnership with the County Durham Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership (Children’s Executive Board) to develop what is needed for the future.

4 Through consultation in County Durham, five key outcomes were agreed that are believed to be essential to the development and well-being of children and young people. In County Durham it is the aim for all children, young people and their families to:
· Be healthy
· Stay safe
· Enjoy and achieve
· Make a positive contribution
· Achieve economic well-being
5 In order to deliver on this agenda key partners come together under a Children’s Trust Board to plan, commission and deliver as appropriate an agenda that is informed by a strategic direction of “Every Child Matters”.

6 As part of the governance framework in place for the Children’s Trust, it was agreed that a Joint Overview and Scrutiny arrangement should be put in place to hold to account and provide challenge to the partnership.

7 The model adopted has been informed by the successful Joint Overview and Scrutiny Health Sub-Committee that has as its focus the NHS and health and well being.

8 A major priority for the Children Trust is NEET’s, 16-19 year olds known to be Not in Education, Employment or Training. This priority lends itself well to challenge as NEET`s in County Durham are an issue that need addressing.

9 A Joint Overview and Scrutiny Working Group was established, with Members from Durham County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee and representatives from the District Councils overview and scrutiny arrangements coming together to “scrutinise” NEET`s.

10 The report is attached.

The recommendations are on page 48 of the report.

Recommendation

11 i) That Cabinet consider the recommendations in the report.

ii) That Cabinet consideration is informed by a response to the report (within a given timescale to be determined by Cabinet) from the Director of Children and Young Peoples Services, on behalf of the County Council and the Children’s Trust Executive Board, highlighting the implications of the recommendations for the Children’s Trust Executive Board and the County Council before a Cabinet decision is taken.

Contact: Feisal Jassat Tel: 0191 383 3506 E-Mail: feisal.jassat@durham.gov.uk

To view main report please refer to PDF attachment or hard copies located in the Record Office or Corporate Services.

Attachments

 Final report Neet's April 08.pdf;
 Cabinet NEETs Jun 08.pdf