This free self-assessment pack is a collaboration between the Audit Commission and the Confederation of Heads of Young People's Services (CHYPS). It aims to help make sure money spent on services for young people is well used and has the right impact.
Already piloted in six areas, it was credited with:
- helping statutory and voluntary providers to begin longer-term reviews of provision, staffing and costs;
- increasing self-awareness among managers and staff about council youth services;
- stimulating discussion between partner organisations on improvement and how to achieve better value for money;
- identifying some 'quick wins'- for example, doing more to celebrate young people's achievements; and
- generally raising the profile of youth services.
The pack is organised into five modules which take users through a structured assessment of their services, drawing on their own and comparative data about spending and outcomes. It then helps them prepare an action plan to provide the best value for money services for young people, specifically tailored to their area and its resources.
Services for young people: Value for money self-assessment pack is a voluntary, online, self-assessment tool aimed at elected members and senior staff with an interest in services for young people. It is relevant to all councils, fire and rescue authorities, the police, voluntary and private sectors - indeed anyone who is involved in commissioning or delivering services locally for young people.
In 2009 the Audit Commission report 'Tired of hanging around' showed how sport and leisure activities could prevent young people being drawn into anti-social behaviour. It found that a young person caught up in the criminal justice system costs the taxpayer £200,000 by the age of 16, but one needing support to stay out of it costs less than £50,000. The report identified a need for councils and their partners to improve resources for young people. This new resource is designed to complement it.