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.
![Pack covers a variety of youth services, including youth clubs and outreach projects. Image: NTI](/media/148505/6d74bb65fd04eba8501cc2e6bc7d0297jpg-350x250.jpg?&width=780&quality=60)
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."