Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alicia Denny and Sandra Stockdale.

There were no declarations.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2015 are attached and the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February will follow.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Housing and Social Care Scrutiny Panel held on 6 and 27 February 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair of the panel.

The panel will continue to receive evidence in relation to this topic.

The chair welcomed the guests to the meeting and introductions were made around the table before evidence was given.

a)        The panel heard from Leon Runham-Cuenca, Portsmouth Young Persons' Services Manager, Two Saints Ltd, Portsmouth Foyer

Leon introduced Sarah McLean and Natasha Chaplin, social work students who are currently based at Portsmouth Foyer.

Leon explained that the Portsmouth Foyer provides accommodation and a network of support for homeless young people. The support network is essential to enable young people to develop life skills required to moving forward in their lives. The young people can be care leavers or come from a challenging dysfunctional family, and go from the school environment to a hostel environment. The Foyer allocates a community involvement worker to an individual who will tailor a package (pathway) to their individual needs and their personal interests. The Foyer offers support in many ways from education and training programmes, developing and improving life skills and developing self-worth and confidence.

The following anonymous case study examples were discussed:

Child A is a 14year old male living in Paulsgrove who is too old for holiday clubs. He doesn't want to attend the Hillside Youth Club due to the reputation of the troubled youngsters who use the facility. He is basically 'on his own' either at home feeling isolated or hanging around getting into trouble during the school holiday period. His school does not provide any holiday services. This is a crucial period ie 14-16yr old age and child A could quite easily take the wrong path, purely due to boredom and the lack of facilities and services available to this age group.

Child B is from a stable family background but dropped out of college and didn't know what they wanted to do. She experienced pressure from her parents to return to college or find work. She chose to volunteer at her local riding stables which she knew well. This gave her the confidence to pursue further higher education.

Sarah and Natasha included the following points from their work place experiences:

·      Do not feel services are accessible to young people.

·      Challenging behaviour in one of the children's homes was not managed challenged or managed, it was accepted behaviour.

·      There is a pocket of children which early intervention misses. Need something for them to do to prevent them from taking the wrong path.

·      There is a Facebook/Xbox generation who although are on their own in their home they are interacting with other peers.

·      There are less services for young people to access north of the city.

·      There are plenty in the city but many young people cannot afford the bus ride into the city.

·      Young people often have an aspiration but do not know how to access that service to get involved.

·      The services which are provided at The Foyer should be accessible in other areas.

b)        Jo Bennett, Leasehold and Commercial Services Manager, Housing and Property Services

The following points were raised by Jo:

·      Youth clubs do try to attract  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Members of the panel to discuss.

The date of the next meeting is to be confirmed.