Audit Commission releases pack to help youth service providers maximise funds
Andy Hillier
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Audit Commission has developed a self-assessment pack to help providers of youth services to identify how best to spend their money.
The pack has been developed in partnership with the Confederation of Heads of Young People’s Services and is organised into five modules that take users through a structured assessment of their services, drawing on their own and comparative data about spending and outcomes. It then helps them develop an action plan.
Services for Young People: Value for Money Self-Assessment Pack has already been piloted in six areas. Provisional findings from the pilot areas show that it helps statutory and voluntary providers to begin longer-term reviews of their services and helps stimulate discussion between partner organisations on improvement and how to achieve better value for money.
The pack covers a variety of youth services, including youth clubs, outreach projects, information, advice and guidance schemes and the youth offending services.
David Wright, chief executive of Chyps, said: "The tool is a valuable resource that will help with reshaping and redesigning youth services, giving all those involved —lead members, partners and other local decision makers — the opportunity to identify what they want from youth services in their area, appreciate all contributions and understand what works best."
Andy McKeon, managing director of the Audit Commission, added: "Council funding is under extreme pressure, but investment now in high-quality youth services is an investment in the country’s future. Teenagers often need help to develop social and communication skills, to build their self-esteem, and improve attitudes to education."
Services for Young People: Value for Money Self-Assessment Pack has already been piloted in six areas. Provisional findings from the pilot areas show that it helps statutory and voluntary providers to begin longer-term reviews of their services and helps stimulate discussion between partner organisations on improvement and how to achieve better value for money.
The pack covers a variety of youth services, including youth clubs, outreach projects, information, advice and guidance schemes and the youth offending services.
David Wright, chief executive of Chyps, said: "The tool is a valuable resource that will help with reshaping and redesigning youth services, giving all those involved —lead members, partners and other local decision makers — the opportunity to identify what they want from youth services in their area, appreciate all contributions and understand what works best."
Andy McKeon, managing director of the Audit Commission, added: "Council funding is under extreme pressure, but investment now in high-quality youth services is an investment in the country’s future. Teenagers often need help to develop social and communication skills, to build their self-esteem, and improve attitudes to education."
