Agenda item

This report outlines the Offer for vulnerable young people in BCP during the Summer holiday.  The Summer Offer will look to address mental health, gaps in learning, the lack of preparation for secondary school, exploitation and knife crime as well as ensuring that families have food during this period.

The Director of Education presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report outlined the Offer for vulnerable young people in BCP during the summer holiday.  The Summer Offer looked to address mental health, gaps in learning, the lack of preparation for secondary school, exploitation and knife crime as well as ensuring that families have food during this period.

The Committee discussed the Report and comments were made, including:

• There was a large amount of discussion surrounding the seasonal response and targeting anti-social behaviour through outreach work in specific areas. In response to a request, the Committee was advised that feedback from the Seasonal Response Officer would be sought and feedback at a future date. ACTION
• The PFH confirmed that 3000 hours of detached outreach work had been commissioned to provide support to the seasonal response.
• Clarification was provided about the difference between children being in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM) and the Health, Activity and Food (HAF) Scheme.  The Committee was advised of the number of children who would be able to access the HAF Scheme and what it involved and although this figure was less than those who were in receipt of FSM, food vouchers were available to all those who received FSM during the summer holidays
• The range of providers and activities offered were highlighted to the Committee
• In response to a query regarding whether the [       ] theatre group had signed up to the HAF fund, it was advised that most of the providers who had signed up had been aimed at primary school children however work to extend the ages provided for would be considered for the future.
• A Member highlighted the gap of activities for the 14-17 year old age group and wanted to advertise the activities being arranged by Festival Coast Live.  The Committee was advised that there was some funding left over which was going to be shared between youth groups and charities to help with the seasonal response.
• The Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Children and Young People advised the Committee that a piece of work was being commissioned to see what offer could be provided for young people and the results of that piece of work could be shared with the Committee when completed. Action
• In response to a query from a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), the Director for Education confirmed that she would request feedback in September regarding how many students had engaged in the summer schools including whether students were consulted about the offer in place. ACTION.

The Chair summarised the discussion as follows:

• Discussed problem behaviours in hotspots and the seasonal response team
• Details of the providers who had signed up to provide the HAF offer
• The number of children who could take up the HAF offer
• Children in receipt of FSM being offered food vouchers for the summer holidays
• Festival coast live – ensure interesting things for young people to do
• How many children engaging with schools offer.

RESOLVED that the committee note the Summer Offer that BCP Council were putting in place as part of the Covid Recovery Plan.