Record numbers for youth services (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Record numbers for youth services

August 26, 2009 5:19 PM

summer • THE number of 13 -19 year olds taking part in schemes and activities run by Richmond Council has increased by a massive 226 % in the last year.

In the same period, the number of those attending a youth centre or youth service on a regular basis has increased by 53 %. Those achieving a nationally recognised qualification has increased by 79 % .

Cllr Liz Jaeger, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said: "When we were elected to power in 2006 we made a commitment to improve the services for young people in the borough. These results show we have delivered on this promise and provide among the best services to young people in the country. A key to these improvements has been to involve young people in the decisions that affect them. The Youth Parliament, Youth Forum and Outskirts magazine are all good examples of this. We've also strengthened our work with local organisations, such as local schools, the Police and the Richmond Youth Partnership, to ensure people are getting the support they need. However, as good as these result are, there are still young people that we are not reaching, something we're looking to improve on."

Other results include:

• Young offenders in full time education, training and employment is at 93.9 per cent (one of the best figures in the country)

• Number of first time entrants into the criminal justice system is down by 6.5 per cent (lower than the national average).

• Reoffending is down to 0.75 further offences per head (lower than the national average)

• Number of young people in suitable accommodation is 96.5 per cent.

Targets for the forthcoming year include developing stronger partnerships across local services, targeting the most vulnerable and obtaining youth facilities in Whitton and Richmond. On 13 July the new Children and Young People's Plan will be published setting out new ambitions across all services for children and young people - including youth services - for the next four years.

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: