Report of the Strategic Director of Children and Education Services

This report provides an update on the current plans for children and young people’s engagement and participation. This report includes updates from targeted as well as universal services, aligned to the ambitions set out in the Our City, Our Say Strategy. The report also outlines the plans for a refresh of the participation and engagement strategy, in response to global pandemic, new investment from the City Council and national funds and the declaration of the Climate Change Emergency.

The Committee received a report of the Strategic Director of Children and Education Services which provided an update on the current plans for children and young people’s engagement and participation. This report included updates from targeted and universal services, aligned to the ambitions set out in the Our City, Our Say Strategy. The report also outlined the plans for a refresh of the participation and engagement strategy, in response to the global pandemic, new investment from the City Council and national funds and the declaration of the Climate Change Emergency.

The main points and themes within the report included:

• Targeted offer;
• Universal offer; and
• Next steps.

Some of the key points and themes that arose from the Committee’s discussions were:

• To recognise the importance of the voices of children and young people being heard and to thank all the officers working to ensure that this happened;
• To congratulate Manchester Youth Council on winning a Youth Focus North West award for their commitment to saving the planet;
• To request an update on the Youth Violence research and strategy;
• To request an update on work on climate change in relation to young people and schools; and
• Capturing the voices of young people in the Youth Justice System, noting that the Committee would be carrying out visits to Wetherby Young Offenders Institute and Barton Moss Secure Children’s Home;

A Co-opted Member who was a Teacher at Abraham Moss Community School highlighted the role that schools could play in this work, including through School Councils and working in partnership with other schools, and stated that she would welcome the Council’s involvement in facilitating this.  A Member shared her positive experience of meeting pupils from Abraham Moss and their enthusiasm for the engagement work that was taking place.  The Head of Youth, Play and Participation agreed that more should be done with schools and advised that this was a priority area and that he would contact the Co-opted Member outside of the meeting in relation to this.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services informed Members that briefings would be held for Elected Members in advance of the drafting of the serious violence strategy.  The Head of Youth, Play and Participation reported that his service was committed to being actively involved in the work on the strategy on youth violence.  He advised that an update on the work on climate change could be provided at a future meeting.  The Director of Education reported that the climate change conference planned for June was being co-produced with young people with workshops co-delivered by them.

The Head of Service for Youth Justice advised that his service used a range of methods to capture the views, ideas and experiences of young people, including topical research and narrative interviewing techniques.  He informed the Committee about work with Manchester Metropolitan University researching the criminal justice system during lockdown, work which young people were actively involved in.  The Strategic Director of Children and Education Services highlighted examples of how young people were involved in shaping services and influencing decision-making.  The Chair advised that visits undertaken by the Committee should focus on the voice of children and young people.

Decision

To note the report.