SALFORD
Local Partnership Strategy
April 2003 – March 2004
Annette Hughes
Connexions Manager
March 2003
Connexions Salford
Local Partnership Strategy April 2003 – March 2004
1.0
Strategic Overview
1.1
The overall aim of Connexions Salford is to enable all young people in Salford
to make a successful transition to settled employment and adult life. To help
achieve this vision the priorities for Connexions Salford in 2003-4 are to :
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Reduce the number of young people 16-18 who are not in education,
employment or training (NEET);
Engage schools in helping to raise the aspirations of all young people in
Salford;
Ensure that young people not engaged by mainstream education are
provided with learning opportunities that better meet their individual
needs;
Contribute to initiatives around behaviour improvement and crime and
disorder reduction;
Achieve better outcomes for young people who may be in ‘vulnerable
groups’ eg care leavers, young offenders, young people with learning
difficulties and disabilities (LDD), substance misusers, teenage parents
and black and ethnic minority young people.
1.2
The Connexions service in Salford was introduced in September 2002 as part
of the Greater Manchester Connexions Partnership area. Connexions Salford
aims to provide a support service for all young people in Salford aged 13 to
19, with particular emphasis on supporting the most vulnerable groups. The
strategy for 2003-4 attempts to describe progress made since September
2002 and to outline the priorities for the first full year of operation in 2003-4.
1.3
The six months of operation since September 2002 have seen significant
progress in agreeing the way Connexions will work with schools, colleges and
other local youth support services. Although it is still early days, work
completed to date should provide a strong platform for ongoing collaboration
in the pursuit of our overall aim. This is illustrated by the commitment
expressed by all partners, to work together to ensure that there is appropriate
learning provision for all young people in Salford, both pre and post 16.
Provision for young people in the City with the aid of youth support services,
needs to focus on sustaining young people’s engagement, and ultimately
preparing them for a successful transition to adult life.
1.4
There is evidence that the successful branding of Connexions both locally
and across Greater Manchester since September 2002, has visibly confirmed
the reality of Connexions going ‘live’, and has therefore helped to speed up
the pace of change compared to the development phase.
1.5
The challenge for Connexions in Salford is to help bring coherence to local
plans and strategies that address the needs of young people, and for
Connexions targets to be reflected in other organisations’ plans. It has been
clearer over the last year that it is more realistic to see Connexions as
something that strongly underpins other local partnerships and strategies,
rather than being something that will magically bring partnerships and
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planning processes together under the Connexions ‘banner’. Representation
of Connexions will be an ongoing issue as partnerships are formed in
response to new initiatives, and existing structures are reviewed.
1.6
This strategy and the Delivery Plan for Connexions Salford 2003-4 has taken
account of other local plans and strategies as follows:
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Education Development Plan;
Behaviour Support Plan;
Behaviour Improvement Programme;
Community Strategy;
Salford’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy;
Salford Area-wide Inspection Action Plan;
14-19 Developments Report;
Salford Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy;
Transforming Youth work Plan;
Salford Young People’s Substance Misuse Plan;
Salford Employment Plan;
Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
1.7
The aim over the coming year will be to gain a better understanding of all
local strategies and plans that affect young people. This will then help to
ensure that Connexions has an appropriate input in order to promote
transparent strategic linkages, common aims and targets. Government
guidance to others involved in planning services for young people e.g. the
Youth Service and Teenage Pregnancy has improved in it’s clarity around the
links with Connexions. It would further help if we could effect some synergy
in the individual planning cycles for different organisations, so that strategic
planning is truly integrated.
1.8
In the last few months the strategic partnership structure for delivering
Connexions in Salford has been reviewed. The Connexions Salford
Executive Group, chaired by the Director of Education and Leisure, has been
established to try and drive forward the vision and strategy for Connexions in
Salford. It is hoped that this arrangement will help to make the wider Local
Connexions Partnership more effective when it meets, and members will be
able to commission work from others to help achieve this. (see Annex 1 for
details of membership).
1.9
To achieve our aim Connexions needs to work closely with services working
across the City, but also to concentrate our efforts on those neighbourhoods
and groups which are the most deprived, where neighbourhood renewal
strategies are seeking to address significant issues of housing, crime,
education, health and employment. Early discussions have taken place with
the Assistant Director of Community and Social Services responsible for the
Community Strategy and neighbourhood co-ordinators to progress this issue.
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2.0
Who will Connexions work with?
2.1
Connexions Salford Executive Group has identified the groups of young
people for Connexions Salford to prioritise its work with. The table at Annex 2
is an initial attempt to list the priority groups and indicate which key partners
share each group and the resources available.
2.2
In order to maximise the potential of all young people in the City, it is essential
to provide high quality, joined up services. At this stage, collaboration and cooperation between organisations is developing, but there is still much work to
be done to share data and identify young people who are being supported by
a number of support services. We will continue this work into 2003-4, with the
aim that we can more accurately show which young people are in each group
(or more than one), and who is contributing to work with them. This is also
necessary to inform the effective deployment of Connexions staff and other
support agency workers, and gives the ability to concentrate efforts on filling
gaps that emerge.
2.3
Stronger links need to be made with organisations operating locally who can
provide information on particular groups including:
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Young people with housing issues;
Young refugees and asylum seekers;
Young people with disabilities.
2.4
Salford Youth Service - Transforming Youth Work Plan 2003-4 was produced
in draft in December 2002. It reflects the way the Youth Service will work with
Connexions as outlined in the existing Service Level Agreement, with a focus
on:
 Training of Youth Service Staff in Introducing Connexions and
Understanding Connexions;
 Working with Youth Service staff to jointly deliver training to other local
organisations;
 The provision of personal and social development opportunities for young
people and information about such provision made available to
Connexions staff and other agency staff working with young people;
 Youth Service lead on young people’s participation and consultation;
 The provision of Youth Service buildings as Connexions access and
information points in some areas.
2.5
In order to further develop a common vision and strategy across the City
events have been held with a number of relevant agencies (see para 2.10). In
February 2003 Connexions and Salford CVS staff joined staff from Youth
Service, City Leisure, Sports Development, Arts and Lifelong Learning to
share information about the work of each organisation and highlight ways of
working together more effectively in the future. The Assistant Director for
Lifelong Learning and Leisure also has responsibility for the strategic
development of Connexions.
2.6
Connexions Salford is also working closely with Salford Council for Voluntary
Services to support voluntary and community sector organisations in their
engagement in Connexions locally. This work complements the partnership
between the Youth Service and Salford CVS working to develop a forum for
the voluntary youth sector in Salford through Transforming Youth Work
funding.
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2.7
As noted above the table at Annex 2 attempts to show the key partners and
how they contribute to work with particular groups of young people. The table
is not complete and will need to be refined over the coming months. The
main challenge is to get information sharing agreements in place, so that we
can assess more clearly which agencies are working to provide support for
particular groups of young people, and from this who has the primary
responsibility for providing direct support as well as brokering specialist help
from others.
2.8
Partnership Agreements have been established with the majority of high
schools, all special schools and all colleges. Work is also underway to
update existing agreements with all local work-based learning providers to
ensure they reflect the priorities for Connexions. The main objective of the
partnership agreement process has been to agree common strategic
objectives that will contribute to improving participation, retention and
achievement.
2.9
In addition Service Level Agreements have been concluded (or are being
progressed) with the YOT, Youth Service, Education Welfare Service, Leisure
Services, Community and Social Services, Teenage Pregnancy Strategy,
Drug Action Team, JobCentre Plus, Excellence in Cities and Salford
Foundation. As stated previously, agreements in place are at different stages
of development but all provide a strong basis for future working.
2.10
It is worth highlighting 3 examples of development activity underway to group
organisations/services in joint planning:
Connexions, Excellence in Cities and Education Welfare 10 January
2003
A day’s event with practitioners from all three services aiming to achieve a
better understanding of roles, responsibilities and specialisms and to agree
common referral mechanisms. This resulted in an initial action plan for each
school agreed by workers from each of the agencies.
Connexions and Inclusion and Access Services Strategy Day 20
January 2003
Another event but this time focussing on managers from both services. Again
the aims are to promote a better understanding of the respective services, but
more importantly to focus on the linkages and how we can develop them
therough service level agreements. Inclusion and Access Services for the
LEA includes SEN, Educational Psychology, Behaviour Support, Behaviour
Improvement Programme etc.
Connexions, Youth Service, Leisure, arts and Lifelong Learning
Services 26 February 2003
The aim here was to start to agree a common vision and strategy across all
services for this part of the LEA (using the Vision for 2006 Connexions
document as the basis for workshops).
As an example the following has already been agreed with Leisure Services
(City Leisure, Sports Development, Libraries) etc:
 31 leisure sites in Salford will have visible Connexions branding and
information about Connexions, opportunities etc by end March 2003;
 100 staff from leisure services will receive Introducing Connexions training
by end March 2003 to help them act as informed signposters for
Connexions Services;
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training for Leisure staff will be delivered jointly by Connexions Salford
and a trainer from Sports Development.
All 3 events will help to develop clarity around contributions to work with
young people in the City, as well as promoting effective future planning.
2.11
Local Target – the Connexions targets planning table at Annex 5 illustrates
the variety of areas Connexions must contribute to in terms of targets
(baselines still to be confirmed by GM for some targets). The
primary target for the service as set out in the Vision 2006 document is to
reduce the number of 16-18 year olds who are not in education, employment
or training (NEET). The local target has been changed to fall in line with this
priority and is to increase the % of 16-19 year olds going into employment,
education or training (EET). This target focuses on the Wards ranked with
the highest social deprivation in the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
2.12
The purpose of the Local Target is to focus activities to narrow the
gap between performance in the most deprived wards and bring
participation up to the level of the best within the City (Worsley and
Boothstown). Connexions Salford is committed to looking at the
relative numbers of 16-19 year olds in NEET, EET and unknown for
all wards as it works with all partners in the City. Once again
information sharing to help the accurate tracking of young peoples
activity status, is crucial to target support and demonstrate progress.
14-19 curriculum proposals and EBP contribution
2.13
In 2002 a conference was held in Salford to consider the impact of the 14 –
19 curriculum proposals and to look at good practice in widening the
curriculum at Key Stage 4. This conference was attended by schools,
colleges, work based learning providers, LEA staff, Careers Partnership (now
Connexions Salford), LLSC, Business Education Partnership and others. It
set the agenda for local action and ensured that all partners would be
involved in responding to the 14 – 19 reforms.
2.14
The LEA seconded a Secondary Headteacher to produce a report and
recommendations on 14 – 19 developments. Following this report the LEA is
planning to recruit a 14 –19 co-ordinator to continue the development work
already undertaken.
2.15
In summer 2002 Buile Hill High School, supported by the LEA and a range of
other partners, bid for 14 – 19 Pathfinder status, to develop vocational
pathways, enhance advice and guidance through additional Learning Mentors
and Personal Advisers, and use of broadband ICT. This bid was
unsuccessful, but the LSC are currently considering whether it may be a
suitable project for a LIF bid.
2.16
Since the Area-wide Inspection Salford has benefited from extensive cooperation and partnership working within the education and work based
learning sectors. The Salford Plait brings together the 3 colleges, other
providers, Connexions the BEP and schools and is working on, amongst
other things, raising the numbers going into and staying in structured learning.
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2.17
Early in 2002 the Plait secured money from LSDA to offer Key Stage 4
students in Salford a broader range of vocational options. In 2002 six schools
were offering GCSEs in vocational subjects. There are plans for at least 12
high schools to offer vocational GCSEs in 2003, supported through the
Increased Flexibility Project.
2.18
The Post 16 Progression programme has been operating in Salford schools
for a number of years and continues to work with partners to promote the
benefits of further education. There is already evidence that pupils on the
programme have a higher staying on rate than their peers. In order to prove
‘what works’ it would be helpful if information could be shared on the diverse
experiences of pupils to help us demonstrate the effectiveness of initiatives
both quantitatively as well as qualitatively.
2.19
The Business Education Partnership supports all schools with a range of
activities linking education and the world of work, including work experience,
industry days, teacher placements. However, Salford BEP also support
Excellence Challenge activities, the Summer Plus programme (known as
Positive Activities for Young People from 2003) and, through Salford
Foundation, run the National Mentoring Network and Millennium volunteers.
2.20
Salford has a thriving 14 – 19 network which is well placed to build on
previous successes in developing progression pathways for young people.
Young Peoples Views
2.21 The extent to which young people have been able to influence the
development of the service to date has been limited and needs to be
developed further over the coming year. Initial consultation in 2002 with
groups of young people (facilitated by the Youth Service) confirmed their wish
to be involved in the following ways:
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Involvement in the recruitment of personal advisers;
Consultation about branding, marketing and website development;
Involvement in the planning of Connexions Centres.
2.22
Staff from the Service who have worked with young people in recruiting
personal advisers have found their involvement invaluable to the process.
2.23
The development of information points in cultural and leisure venues across
the City is supported by the findings of a survey carried out with Year 9 pupils
in 2001, which found that young people are very comfortable using sports and
leisure venues and there is a high participation rate. We have identified
Sports Development as key partners in engaging young people. One Sports
Development worker is training as a PA and all 31 sports and leisure venues
will be branded as Connexions information points as noted previously.
2.24
We need to build on this positive experience by continuing to involve young
people appropriately, whilst respecting the fact that they have individual
priorities which have to take precedence. We have involved young people
(including young people with disabilities) in the development of Connexions
Centres in Pendleton and Eccles.
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3.0
Integrated Planning
3.1
TYW plan and Connexions – this point has been partially addressed in
paragraph 2.4. As Connexions continues to develop in Salford over the
coming months and years we will collaborate with Youth Service colleagues
working to meet the challenges set out in ‘Transforming Youth Work –
Planning for the Local Authority Youth Service: 2003-04 Guidance’.
Local Strategic Partnership and Connexions
3.2
The local strategic partnership in Salford, known as Salford Partnership, is in
the process of reviewing its structures and membership. Although the
diagram at Annex 3 does not specifically mention Connexions, the service is
represented on the Children’s Services Planning Forum as well as several of
the other groups mentioned. Members of the Connexions Salford Executive
Group and Local Connexions Partnership are also present on a variety of the
groups listed. Whilst there is always a desire to try and rationalise the
number of groups that exist, this is not easy to achieve. Over the next year
we need to ensure that the Service is directly represented on appropriate
groups and partnerships or that a member of one of the Connexions groups
represents the interests and priorities of Connexions where possible.
3.3
The Salford Community Plan is a 5 year plan lasting from 2001 – 6. The
themes for the plan are shared by the members of the Salford Partnership
which is responsible for monitoring progress. The themes are:
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Healthy City;
Safe City;
Inclusive City;
City that values children and young people;
Economically prosperous City;
Learning and Creative City;
City that’s good to live in.
3.4
Connexions Salford has strong links with the valuing young people theme,
particularly through the Children’s Strategic Planning Forum (which will
become a forum for commissioning services). We also share their targets
around reducing teenage pregnancies, increasing numbers of looked after
children in employment at 19, reducing permanent exclusions, unauthorised
absence and youth unemployment.
3.5
Connexions Salford is represented on the Employability steering group and its
construction subgroup.
3.6
We share the targets of the Learning and Creative City theme (led by the
LLP) of raising GCSE attainment and increasing numbers entering further
education to 70% by 2005. The Education Development Plan and 16-19
Area-wide Inspection Action Plan contribute to this theme.
3.7
Connexions makes a contribution to the implementation of the Safe City crime
and disorder strategy through the Connexions Summer Plus (PAYP from
2003) programme. The YOT and DAT plans are the focus of sub groups of
the Crime and Disorder Partnership.
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3.8
Connexions has some links to the Inclusive City themes – particularly through
Connexions voluntary sector funding to Salford Link Project; involving black
and ethnic minority groups. We also have links to the Learning Disabilities
Partnership Board and Disabilities Forum.
3.9
Local initiatives – as in many areas of high deprivation with associated issues
around low achievement and participation, crime and disorder, health,
teenage pregnancy, initiatives are many and varied:
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Behaviour Improvement Programme – Connexions was involved in the
initial consultation with all interested parties to help inform the successful
bid for funding. How Connexions will work with BEST Teams (due to start
in January 2003) has been addressed in part through Partnership
Agreement discussions with the pilot schools.
Public Service Agreement – stretch target to increase participation in EET
among 16-19 year olds across the City. Connexions was involved in
informing the original submission with statistics relating to participation
etc. Connexions will be involved alongside other partners in describing
information needs to help underpin this work.
Area-wide Inspection Action Plan – although not strictly an initiative
Salford was one of the first areas to undergo inspection in 2000. Work is
ongoing in collaboration with other strategic partners to plan for the future
with an overall focus on raising participation, retention and achievement.
Salford Employment Plan – Connexions has been involved in this plan
from the start. It provides a single, five year strategy and action plan with
the aim of creating and maintaining a health labour market for all,
including young people.
Integrated Children’s System – this is still at a very early stage.
Connexions was represented with local partners at a regional
dissemination event in January 2003. This initiative will have links to the
development of CCIS (Connexions Customer Information System).
LIFT/SHIFT – led by Salford PCT (Primary Care Trust), to develop Local
Centres for Health and Social Care. One of the 4 main sites identified for
development will have a Children and Young Persons theme with
potential for Connexions input.
Children’s Trust – Salford City Council and the Primary Care Trust have
agreed in principle to applying for pilot status by end of March 2003.
Housing Market Renewal Fund- Salford is a pathfinder for this 10 year
programme.
Impact of related initiatives
3.10
It is hard in such a fast moving climate to single out any of the many initiatives
that will have an impact on Connexions, as wherever they affect young
people potentially, they could have an influence on the success of the
Strategy and Service.
3.11
The Cassells report’s proposal that all 16 –17 year olds who meet the
required standard, have an entitlement to a Modern Apprenticeship place fits
with Connexions Salford’s aims of promoting structured learning, improving
provision for young people and our commitment to bringing the option of
Modern Apprenticeships to the notice of young people from 14 onwards.
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There will always need to be a balance in providing impartial advice and
guidance about opportunities to help young people chose the right route,
against equal pressure to continue with the widening participation agenda in
FE/HE. It is not clear as yet what the detailed plans will be for the delivery of
E2E (Entry to Employment) provision in the area. This will be a vital
component in the ability of Connexions to successfully engage young people
in mainstream EET.
3.12
LSC post 16 review – the initial feedback from this research has been
discussed at GM Connexions Partnership level. Further discussion and
planning will be carried out for Salford as part of existing groups eg the
Overarching Monitoring Group responsible for monitoring progress of the
Area-wide Inspection Action Plan and for planning future developments.
3.13
50% entering HE target - the Connexions Service is working closely with
Excellence Challenge, Widening Participation and Gifted and Talented Coordinators in schools, colleges and the Business Education Partnership to
raise the proportion of Salford young people and young adults entering Higher
Education (from a very low base -20% in 1999). There is much joint working,
particularly around the Aim Higher campaign and activity days for school and
college students in the Excellence Challenge groups. In order to have any
chance of reaching the HE target, we and partners will need to concentrate
first on raising numbers achieving 5+ GCSEs A*-C, and those remaining in
education post 16 (as well as smoothing the way for those in work based
learning to enter HE after achievement of NVQ level 3).
3.14
Connexions Salford is linked to the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board,
which is delivering the LD Joint Investment Plan. Our work in Newcroft High
School with partners such as the colleges and Salford Social Services is
concentrated on helping all young people fulfil their educational and
vocational potential and increase numbers of LDD young adults entering paid
or supported employment. Connexions Salford is also represented on the
Welfare to Work Employability group and the Special Educational Needs Sub
group.
3.15
Salford Young People’s Substance Misuse Plan – the existing plan is due to
be revised by April 2003. Connexions Salford will continue to work with the
DAT to agree our contribution to this plan in line with the draft Service Level
Agreement.
Links to the Education Development Plan and Behaviour Support Plan
3.16
Connexions Salford can contribute to the following:
 Priority 3 Raising Attainment at Key Stage 4;
 Priority 5 Inclusion – Narrowing the Gap and Tackling Underachievement.
Priority 3 targets - the attainment levels of Salford young people are well
below the national average. The targets are to increase performance in
GCSE:
 Numbers attaining 5+ A* - C from 34.8% in 2001 to 46% by 2004;
 Numbers attaining 5+ A* - G from 87.4% in 2001 to 92% by 2004.
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A further aim is to broaden the curriculum at KS 4 including the development
of vocational qualifications and expansion of work based learning, and to
strengthen transition into and from KS 4.Priority 5 targets:
 Reduction in authorised and unauthorised absences from 12.6% 2001/2
to 9% 2003/4
 Strategies to address issues of pupils not accessing full time provision;
 Reduction in teenage pregnancies and access for teenage parents to
educational opportunities;
 Raising attainment of young people in public care;
 Meeting the needs of pupils from minority ethnic groups, including
travellers and asylum seekers;
 Meeting more effectively the needs of young people with additional needs;
 Assisting pupils to identify appropriate post 16 educational opportunities;
 Helping pupils to enhance their learning opportunities out of hours and
through study support;
 Encouraging pupils to recognise concept of lifelong learning.
3.17
Integration with Crime and Disorder Strategy – the Service has agreed its
contribution to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy through the SLA
agreed with Salford YOT – which primarily focuses on the need to support
young offenders in accessing opportunities in education, employment and
training. We hope to build on the success of 2002 Summer Plus and
Summer Splash programmes in engaging young people in activities over the
summer period. These programmes have been merged for 2003-4 and will
be known as Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP). Connexions
Salford is represented on the YOT Steering Group.
3.18
Area-wide inspection – Connexions Salford is represented along with other
strategic partners on the Overarching Monitoring Group (OMG - see para
3.9). While a lot of progress has been made in the years since the inspection
took place we are keen to look to the future placing equal emphasis on
retention and achievement in learning as well as participation. The OMG has
commissioned a consultant to carry out a re-inspection early in 2003 to help
us focus effectively on future developments. Better progress should also be
possible now that the funding potential which flows from the Action Plan has
become clearer.
3.19
Youth Charter - whilst aspects of the Youth Charter have been taken into
account in planning and delivering the service in the first four months of
operations there is a need to ensure it is visible to and understood by young
people in Salford as well as those working as part of Connexions.
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4.0
Resources
4.1
The current Connexions Salford staffing resource is 39 directly employed
staff, of whom 24 are personal advisers. The number of personal advisers is
expected to grow to 28 by March 2004 with total staffing of 47. There have
been difficulties in recruiting trained personal advisers, as anticipated, due to
recruitment activity across Greater Manchester and in neighbouring
Connexions Partnership areas. After only a short time of operation it is also
difficult to comment on the impact of staff from diverse backgrounds who
have joined the service. However our experience of employing outreach
workers in Salford over the last 2 years of delivering a careers service, was a
wholly positive one with a measurable impact on interventions with hard to
reach young people. The effect of introducing staff with different skills to the
Salford team was also extremely beneficial. We hope to build on this as we
look forward to a full year of operation (and funding) as a live Connexions
area.
4.2
It has also been difficult in the initial months to set criteria for the recruitment
and training of staff when we do not yet have a wholly accurate picture of
needs in the area. In general it has been necessary in this early period of
operation to manage expectations from those who want more from the
Service. There will always be a need to balance the demands of all groups in
order to meet priorities and to seek additional funding wherever possible to
supplement the core grant.
4.3
After 4 months of operation there is some measure of clarity in terms of the
contribution of other agencies. However there is still much work to be done
over the coming year in translating in principle agreements into concrete
action, providing appropriate training (focusing on referral mechanisms) for all
involved in Connexions, and being able to accurately track all interventions
with 13-19 year olds from contributing partners. As referred to previously
there are already several events to take this issue forward in the coming
months.
4.4
To make a significant impact on priority group young people we will need to
work effectively with partner organisations. Staff from the YOT, Teenage
Pregnancy and Next Step will carry out a key worker role with their clients.
The chart at Annex 2 attempts to illustrate the contribution of relevant
partners but this will develop further over the next few months as we work
with the local authority in particular, to clarify common objectives, referral
mechanisms etc.
4.5
5 members of staff from Connexions Salford have already embarked on the
Connexions PA Diploma. In addition 1 Sports Development worker and a
follow-on worker from Fairbridge have also begun PA training. Now that the
arrangements for the delivery of Introducing Connexions are clearer and the
revised Understanding Connexions training has been launched we look
forward to including more local organisations in appropriate Connexions
training over the coming year.
4.6
Examples of other local funding streams available locally for youth support
services:
 Neighbourhood Support Fund;
 New Deal for Communities (Kersal/Charlestown);
 Standards Fund;
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Local Initiative Fund;
Greater Manchester Connexions Partnership Voluntary and Community
Sector Grants;
Youth Action Key Fund?
Positive Activities for Young People.
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5.0
Assessing the impact of Connexions
5.1
After four months of operation it is hard to assess the impact of Connexions
although some issues both positive and negative have already been
highlighted in the text.
5.2
Some examples of factors that will help to promote success:
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5.3
Factors that could hinder future success:






5.4
Commitment from partners to working together has increased since the
service went ‘live’, demonstrated in good quality Partnership and Service
Level Agreements;
National government policy in relation to services and initiatives related to
Connexions has been clearer of late;
Branding and marketing campaign across GM has helped to promote
Connexions in each area;
Partners are keen to use Connexions branding in different venues,
signposting young people and parents etc who want information about
support services;
Local authority partners are keen to exploit the potential for website
developments to harness all local information about young people’s
support services, but also information about cultural, leisure and personal
development opportunities;
There is a commitment in Salford to looking at, and trying to exploit, the
linkages between complementary services;
Initial experiences of involving young people in recruitment of personal
advisers has been extremely positive;
The injection of additional funding for specific projects (but with proper
time to plan!) eg Summer Plus and Behaviour Improvement Programme;
A good history of collaboration with strategic partners following the Areawide Inspection with plans for further development.
Recruitment of suitably qualified staff to meet expectations of the Service;
It is impossible to deal effectively with the constant stream of additional
guidance, Action Notes etc from CSNU;
National policy in relation to key developments/initiatives that impinge on
Connexions e.g. Children’s Services, Integrated Children’s Systems are
still emerging and do not always appear ‘joined up’!;
Issues around data sharing, information protocols, CCIS etc are
complicated if carried out according to data protection principles but
Connexions cannot deliver without;
There needs to be more careful discussion and agreement about common
definitions eg level of support, children and young people at risk etc;
Connexions is only one of many priorities in local areas.
Connexions Activity in Salford will be monitored and evaluated in a variety of
ways:




Connexions Salford Executive Group and Local Connexions Partnership;
GM through contract management;
Better Choices Board;
Feedback from young people, parents, schools, colleges, local support
agencies etc.
13
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
5.5
Annex 4 summarises progress made against objectives set for the period
September 2002 – March 2003 and highlights action for 2003-4.
14
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
Connexions Salford – Strategic Partnership Membership
Annex 1
Connexions Salford Executive Group
Name
Jill Baker
Faith Mann
Paul Woltman
Elaine Hilton
Chris Tyler
Tom Healey
Deborah McGoldrick
Annette Hughes
Ann Brown
Clive Dickens
Designation/representing
Director of Education and Leisure (chair)
Assistant Director of Education, Lifelong Learning and Leisure
Assistant Director Children’s Services
Secondary Schools – Headteacher Walkden High School
Salford Colleges – Principal Eccles College
Salford YOT- Acting YOT Manager
Deputy Director Salford Foundation (BEP, MV etc)
Connexions Salford, Connexions Manager
Associate Director for Service Design, Salford PCT
Area Manager, Salford and Trafford Learning + Skills Council GM
Local Connexions Partnership Salford
Name
Jill Baker
Faith Mann
Annette Hughes
Keith Mann
Lyndsey Harmon/ Nick Mellor
Clive Dickens
Vacant
Deborah McGoldrick
Linda Pride
Vacant
Tom Healey
Elaine Hilton
Chris Tyler
Tim Smith (TPC)
Ann Brown
Vacant
Tom Woodcock
Vacant
Vacant
Paul Woltman
Harold Flowerdew
Designation/representing
Director of Education and Leisure (chair)
Assistant Director of Education for Lifelong Learning and Leisure
Connexions Manager
Lead Member for Education
Employment Service/JobCentre Plus
Learning and Skills Council Greater manchester
Voluntary and Community Organisations
Assistant Director, Salford Foundation
Youth Service
Employers and Training Providers
Salford YOT
Secondary Schools
Colleges/Lifelong Learning Partnership
Teenage Pregnancy Strategy
Associate Director for Service Design, Salford PCT
Religious body rep
Drug Action Team
Young People
Homelessness and Housing
Assistant Director Children’s Services, Community and Social Services
Contract Manager, Greater Manchester Connexions Partnership
15
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
Connexions Salford – Priority Groups, Key Partners and Resources
Priority
Group
Looked After
Children
Numbers
Connexions
Salford
Resource
13–15 = 116
16-18 = 72
Annex 2
Partners
Partner Resource/
Contribution
Salford Social Services
6 Next Step Pathway
Advisers act as PA
for their clients from
year 10/11 and 6
Aftercare workers
mainly for older YPs
Next Step Project
Poor
attenders
Awaiting
information
from EWS
All Education PAs
+ Community PA
Partnership
Agreement/SLA
Data Sharing
Initial meeting
held
Planned
Yes
72% increase in
numbers over past
6 years indicates
extent of family
breakdown in the
City
Secondary absence
rate: 11.5% in 2001
Joint training
planned 10.1.03.
EWOs, CX PAs
and Learning
Mentors
Joint training event
2.03 with Leisure
and Youth Service
Education Welfare
Service
EWO will play
keyworker role with
13 –15 year olds on
their caseload
Yes
Leisure
1 Sports
Development PA
Yes
4 PRUs – 2
vocational advisers
Planning meeting
with Access and
Inclusion branch
20.1.03
Yes
Service recently
reorganised/new
head of service
In progress
Yes – due to be
reviewed
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
GMCXP
Planned with all
Very important that
targets and
definitions are
agreed by all locally
and at GM.
Baselines not
accurate until
information sharing
is effected.
Other partners?
PRU
attenders
50
1 specialist PA
1 Community PA
Behaviour Support
Service
NEET group
788 (at end
Nov 2002?)
9 PAs and 5 other
delivery staff incl.
Community PA
JobCentre Plus
Work Based Learning
Providers
Colleges
Sports development
YOT
Next Step Team
Teenage Pregnancy
LSC
Youth Service?
16
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
Comments
21 March 2003
Connexions Salford – Priority Groups, Key Partners and Resources (cont)
Priority Group
Numbers
YOT clients
Incl. young
people leaving
custody
13-16 = 285
17-19 = 296
Annual figures
Connexions
Salford
Resource
1 specialist PA
linked to YOT
Partners
Partner Resource/
Contribution
Youth Offending Team
Budget £1.3 million
Annex 2
Partnership
Agreement/SLA
Yes
Data Sharing
Planned
YOT staff act as PAs
for young people on
caseload for 12+
months
287 =
snapshot on
12.02.
Comments
YOT and
Connexions joint
target – 90% of yps
supervised by YOT
in EET by 2004
Summer Plus
activities 2002
contributed to 20%
drop in youth crime
in Salford
63 = under 18s
in
custody/DTOs
(approx. 10 of
school age)
Teenage
mothers
Approx 90150
PA linked to
Teenage
Pregnancy Team
Teenage Pregnancy
Team
TPT staff will act as
PA for pregnant
young women under
18
Training for all
Connexions partners
on sexual health.
Funding (NDC) for a
TP PA.
Yes
Fortnightly referral
panel
61.7 pregnancies
per 1000 young
women under 18.
Salford’s teenage
pregnancy statistics
are 33% higher
than national
average
Substance
misusers
57 referrals to
Salford Young
Peoples
Substance
Misuse
Service March
– Dec 2002
Further
discussion with
DAT needed
DAT
DAT will train
Connexions staff
Initial discussions
held confirm by
February 2003
No
Young People’s
substance Misuse
Plan to be revised
by April 2003.
Connexions
contribution will be
clarified.
DAT staff to offer
sessions from
Connexions Centre
17
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
Connexions Salford – Priority Groups, Key Partners and Resources (cont)
Priority
Group
LDD/
statemented
young people
Numbers
Connexions
Salford
Resource
Statemented
13-16 year
olds in
mainstream,
special and
out of district
provision =
375
2 FTE specialist
PAs
Partners
Partner Resource/
Contribution
Salford LEA
Schools and colleges
Social Services
Supported employment
providers
JobCentre Plus DEA
Annex 2
Partnership
Agreement/SLA
Data Sharing
Yes
Yes
Draft
Liaison
arrangements
agreed
Statemented
17-19 year
olds in special
and out of
district
provision = 40
Young carers
40 13-19s on
Carers’ Centre
database
Young carers
much more
numerous, up
to 6%?
1.8% of Salford
secondary pupils
are statemented –
lower than national
average (2.6%)
However higher
than national
average have
Special Educational
Needs – 27%
(21% nationally)
Unable to count
accurately post 16
LDD figures –
action point for GM
SEN sub group to
agree common
definition of LDD
Salford Carers Centre
3 paid staff (liaison,
development and
sessional workers)
2 volunteers
18
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
Comments
21 March 2003
Referral between
agencies to be
included in Young
Carers’ Strategy
Joint planning
meeting with LEA
Access ad Inclusion
Branch 20.1.03.
Links with
Connexions needs
further
development.
Connexions Salford – Priority Groups, Key Partners and Resources (cont)
Priority
Group
Numbers
Homeless/
young people
with housing
issues
30 applications
for
accommodatio
n
received from
homeless
‘vulnerable
young people’
aged 16-17
between April
– Sept. 2002
Connexions
Salford
Resource
Community PAs
Jobcentre
Plus clients
Hospital
school
13-16 = 26 at
RMCHS
Too ill to
attend
5 13-16s
educated at
home
PA linked to
RMCHS
Partners
Partner Resource/
Contribution
Salford Housing
Department
Next Step
YOT
Jobcentre Plus
Action Team For Jobs
Action Team for Jobs
adviser to be
seconded p-t to
Connexions (to be
confirmed 1.03.)
Royal Manchester
Children’s Hospital
School
Annex 2
Partnership
Agreement/SLA
Data Sharing
Comments
New reporting
procedures on
youth
homelessness.
More accurate stats
will be available
later this year. The
figure of 30 is
thought to be
massive
underestimate of
homelessness
problem.
In preparation
Liaison
arrangements
agreed
In preparation
Yes
Colleges
Refugees
and asylum
seekers
2 educated at
home on
college roll
?
Community PAs
and Education
PAs
Ethnic Minority Support
Team
Revive
Numbers rising
significantly – need
to get baseline
Cross reference
with BME figures
19
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
Connexions Salford – Priority Groups, Key Partners and Resources (cont)
Priority Group
Numbers
Black and
minority ethnic
young people
Salford LEA
figures 2002-3:
141 BME
young people
in Yrs 9, 10
and 11
out of 7,497
pupils
Connexions
Salford
Resource
Whole service
issue
Partners
Partner Resource/
Contribution
Ethnic Minority Support
Team
Partnership
Agreement/SLA
Data Sharing
Comments
Salford population
97% white, but
Local Authority has
identified BME
young people as
priority for improved
services.
28 languages
spoken in Salford
schools
20
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
Annex 2
21 March 2003
Annex 3
THE SALFORD FAMILY OF PARTNERSHIPS
Community Network
Cheetham &
Broughton
Partnership
Chapel Street
Regeneration
Board
Community
Committees
Local Strategic Partnership
Salford Partnership
New Deal
for
Communitie
s
Seedley
&
Partnership
Langworthy
Partnership
Community Plan/NRS working group
Healthy City
Health City
Forum
Safe City
Inclusive City
Crime &
Disorder
Partnership
Social
Inclusion
Forum
Drugs
Action
Team
Anti
Poverty
Forum
Health &
Well being
Sub-group
LIFT Sub
Group
Children’s services
planning Forum
Economically
Prosperous
City
Economic
Development
Task Group
Social
Inclusion
Executive
Youth
Offending
Team
Community
Strategy
sub group
City that values
children & young
people
Capacity
releasing
sub group
Modernisation
Sub Group
Sure Start
City that’s
good to live in
Living
Environment
Forum
Employment
sub group
Housing
Sub group
Community
Legal
services
Partnership
Area Child
Protection
Committee
Early years
Development
& Childcare
Partnership
21
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
Learning &
Creative City
Life Long
Learning
Partnership
21 March 2003
Planning
Sub group
Teenage
pregnancy
Strategy
Group
Transportation
sub group
Management
and
maintenance
sub group
Key
/////- under development
xxx- Local Area
Partnerships include task
groups with agendas
relevant to City-wide
thematic partnerships
Assessing the impact of Connexions Salford/Action Plan 2003-4
Objective
1. Ensure all young people in the
13 to 19 cohort know about the
services Connexions can offer and
how to access them
2. Review the role functions and
membership of Salford
Connexions Partnership, Delivery
Services Core Group and Salford
Partnership structures
Annex 4
Progress towards achievement of
2002-3 objective
 Widespread publicity campaign;
 Introductory talks to school pupils
and college students;
 Publicity leaflets distributed to
young people in education and
NEET group;
 New website under development;
 Connexions Salford staff on
Connexions stand at SkillCity –
attended by hundreds of Salford
young people and parents;
 Briefings carried out by
Connexions Salford staff to wide
variety of partners providing
services and opportunities to
young people.



Milestones for 2003-4







Executive group established and
terms of reference agreed.
Children’s Services Planning
Forum (CSPF) confirmed as main
link into Salford Partnership.
Connexions Salford Executive
Group has set future dates for
meeting of Local Connexions
Partnership





New Connexions Centre in Eccles to
open July 2003
Connexions noticeboards to be
installed in all schools, colleges by
March 2003
All youth clubs, libraries and sports
and leisure venues to be branded as
Connexions Information points by
June 2003
New Connexions exhibition stand to be
purchased May 2003

Connexions Salford

Connexions Salford

Leisure Services

Connexions publicity distributed to
hard to reach groups by voluntary and
community organisations by
September 2003
New Connexions website up and
running with links to other support
agencies, council services for young
people etc March 2004

Better Choices Information
and Marketing Services
Manager
Connexions Salford and
Salford CVS

Better Choices Head of
Information
Widen representation on LCP groups
to include/confirm the following by
April 2003
Young people
Employment service/Jobcentre Plus
Community and Social Services
Faith bodies
Black and minority ethnic groups

Connexions Salford
Executive Group
22
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
Responsibility
21 March 2003
Assessing the impact of Connexions Salford/Action Plan 2003-4 (cont)
Objective
3. Secure the involvement of
organisations and agencies
supporting 13-19 year olds in
Connexions through
appropriate links










Progress towards achievement of 2002-3
objective
Partnership agreements negotiated with 13
high schools and all maintained special
schools;
Partnership Agreements negotiated with
Salford, Eccles and Pendleton College;
Service Level Agreements negotiated with
EWS, Youth Service, Arts and Leisure
Services, Teenage Pregnancy Team,
Jobcentre Plus, YOT and Social Services;
Joint training sessions: Connexions staff
with Excellence in Cities Learning Mentors
and Education Welfare Service; CX staff
with Arts and Leisure and Youth Service
and joint planning with LEA Inclusion and
Access;
All Connexions Salford staff attended
Introducing Connexions training;
2 Connexions Salford staff and member of
staff from Sports Development trained as
Introducing Connexions trainers;
Staff from a variety of local support
agencies and learning providers attended
drugs awareness training;
Staff identified to act as PA by YOT,
Teenage Pregnancy Team, Next Step,
Sports Development and Fairbridge;
5 Connexions Salford staff, 1 Sports
Development and 1 Fairbridge staff
members on PA Diploma course;
Broad range of activities delivered with
Business Education Partnership
Annex 4
Milestones for 2003-4








Ensure that Strategies and Plans relevant
to 13-19 year olds are mapped and
Connexions contribution considered and
targets set are consistent;
Complete remaining education
Partnership Agreements by July 2003
Complete Service Level Agreements with
all remaining agencies by July 2003
Introducing Connexions, APIR and
Understanding Connexions training
offered throughout 2003-4 to all partner
organisations – produce timetable by May
2003
Training for all Connexions partners on
drugs awareness and sexual health
offered by DAT and Teenage Pregnancy
Team by March 2003
Co-operate with Salford Foundation in
pilot Millennium Volunteer project and
development of mentoring September
2003
Work with Salford CVS and Youth Service
to develop Voluntary Youth sector Forum.
Promote and support engagement of
relevant voluntary and community
organisations with CVS November 2003
Engage Schools – ensure Connexions is
a regular item at Secondary Heads
meetings from September 2003
23
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
Responsibility

Connexions Salford
Executive Group via
membership of CSPF

Connexions Salford

Connexions Salford

Connexions Salford

Connexions Salford
with TPT and DAT

Connexions Salford
and Salford
Foundation

Connexions Salford,
Salford Youth Service
and Salford CVS

Director of Education
and Leisure
Assessing the impact of Connexions Salford/Action Plan 2003-4 (cont)
Objective
4. Influence and secure appropriate
learning provision for young people
including the most vulnerable / at risk
of disengaging from learning




5. Determine performance
measures and quality standards
appropriate to working with young
people, especially the most
vulnerable



Progress towards achievement of
2002-3 objective
Connexions Salford represented on
variety of forums looking at pre 16
and post 16 provision, with partners
including: LEA, LLSC, schools,
colleges, wbl providers, Salford
Foundation;
Activity survey of 2002 leavers and
establishment of baseline MI data
completed;
Data sharing principles agreed with
number of partner organisations;
Partnership/Service level
agreements evidence joint objectives
to lobby for suitable provision for
priority groups.
All policies and processes have been
revised or are in process of revision
to address requirements of
Connexions;
Connexions Salford through Better
Choices represented on GM Quality
Group progressing this issue across
the area.
EFQM to be adopted at GM level Quality Managers from 10 areas to
trained.
Annex 4
Milestones for 2003-4

Data sharing agreements completed
by to enable tracking December 2003


Developments in provision considered
against key aims and requirements of
Connexions. Ongoing at a variety of
levels using more accurate baseline
data as data sharing agreements are
enacted Ongoing


Bring together requirements of Best
Value, Connexions Performance
Management and Contracting
Framework, CSNU and OFSTED
regimes Ongoing
Connexions Salford to trial one of
OFSTED key questions – May 2003
Key performance indicators to be
developed at GM and local level by
May 2003

Connexions
Salford/Better Choices

Connexions
Salford/Better Choices
Connexions
Salford/Better Choices


24
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
Responsibility
21 March 2003

Connexions Salford
Connexions Salford
Executive Group
Partnership and
partners, including:
Salford LEA, Schools
and colleges, Youth
Service, Education
Welfare Service, Work
Based Learning
providers, LLSC,
Salford Foundation,
YOT
Assessing the impact of Connexions Salford/Action Plan 2003-4 (cont)
Objectives
6. Involve young people in the
design of the service locally and in
the review of performance once
Connexions is ‘live’
Annex 4
Progress towards achievement of
2002-3 objectives



Youth Service leading on consulting
young people 1 conference held March
2002. Citizen 200 group consulted on
ongoing basis. Young people involved
in launch October 2002 to celebrate
end of summer programmes.
Young people involved in recruitment
of Connexions Manager and Personal
Advisers.
Young People consulted about
Connexions information/marketing
materials.
Milestones for 2003-4





Young people on Local
Partnership by July 2003
Display Youth Charter in all
Connexions centres, outlets and
information points by December
2003
Identify groups of young people
for in depth consultation (NEET
and pre 16 not engaged)
Ongoing
Young people involved in design
of 2 Connexions Centres July
2003
Young people involved in PA
recruitment ongoing.
25
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
Responsibility


Connexions Salford
Executive group
Connexions Salford

Connexions Salford/Youth
Service

Connexions Salford

Connexions Salford/Better
Choices
2003-04 Connexions Targets Planning Table Salford
Annex 5
Reduction in the proportion of young people who are NEET
November
2002 actual
A) In employment, education and training
5681
B) NEET
693
C) Not known
490
D) Total cohort (A) + (B) + (C)
(B)
Percentage NEET
(D) - (C)
6864
10.87%
November
2004 target
Percentage
reduction
9.79%
0.0%
Local Target
16-19 residents in 5 most deprived wards (index):
Broughton, Langworthy, Ordsall, Weaste and Seedley and
Winton.
Dec 2002
(actual)
March 2004
(target)
Target group (please specify) in EET
1181
0
Total target group
1606
0
% of target group in EET
73.5%
76.5%
NB Local target calculated using data from 3 leaver groups 2000, 2001 and 2002 as at February 2003.
Those YPs showing as current situation not known have been included in the cohort totals used for each
ward, unlike the national NEET reduction target calculation.
LEA Education Development Plan Targets
Academic
year 2001/02
(actual)
Academic
year 2002/03
(target)
Academic
year 2003/04
(target)
The % of pupils obtaining 5 or more GCSEs at grades A* - C (or equivalent)
35.1%
Salford
43%
44%
The % of pupils obtaining 5 or more GCSEs at grades A* - G (or equiv) inc English and maths
84.2%
Salford
90%
92%
The percentage of half days missed by pupils in maintained secondary schools
12.3%
Salford
10%
9%
LSC targets
Aug 2000
August 2004
Increase from
2000 - 2004
Increase in the number of 19 yr olds
achieving a qualification equivalent to NVQ
level 2
0
0
0
Increase the number of 16-18 year olds in
structured learning
0
0
0
26
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003
2003-04 Connexions Targets Planning Table Salford (cont)
Annex 5
Under 18 conception rate
1998 actual
(published 2000)
Salford
2004 target
(published 2006)
61.5
2010 target
(published 2012)
52
30.75
Proportion of teenage parents in employment, education and training
December
2002
Dept of Health
estimate 2001
16-19 year old mothers in EET
0
91
16-19 year old mothers in area
0
271
0%
33.5%
% of 16-19 year old mothers in EET
2010 target
60%
Proportion of 19 year old care leavers in employment, education and training
Care leavers
Dec 2002
All 19 yr
olds
Dec
2002
Dec 2002
19 year olds in EET
20
1354
19 year olds in area
38
2326
53%
58.2%
% of 19 year olds in EET
Care leavers as % of all 19
yr olds
2004 target
0%
75%
Proportion of 16-19 yr olds with LDD in employment, education and training
December
2002
16-19 yr olds with LDD in employment, education and training
243
16-19 yr olds with LDD in area
383
% of 16-19 yr olds with LDD in EET
63.45%
Proportion of young offenders, supervised by Yots, in education, training and employment
2002
Young offenders, supervised by Yots, in area
406
Young offenders, supervised by Yots, in EET
201
% of young offenders in EET
Dec 2003
interim target
49.5%
0%
Dec 2004
target
90%
Substance misuse
April - Dec
2002
Number of young people, with a substance misuse problem,
identified by Connexions
15
Number of young people, with a substance misuse problem,
referred to specialist support
1
Estimate
2003-04
50
25
33
Salford Local Partnership Strategy 2003-4
21 March 2003