To review the outcomes and scrutinise actions outlined in the Youth Support Services Annual Report that seek to support young people’s progression to personal, social and economic success.

The Head of Partnerships and Community Engagement delivered a report highlighting that the numbers of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) were currently at their lowest ever levels within Central Bedfordshire. 

In light of the report Members discussed the following:-

·         The extent to which the needs of local employers and the existing skills gap are understood and the mechanisms through which the youth support service, schools and other partners provide advice to support young people into gainful employment, training and volunteering.

·         The future programme for detached youth work in the localities to encourage young people to utilise informal and social education.

·         The need to highlight the positive and proactive activity being undertaken by the youth support service in future iterations of the report.

·         The need to review the manner in which outcomes for young people who access youth support services are monitored so as to determine the benefits of the activity that is delivered.

RECOMMENDED that the Youth Support Service annual report for 2016/17 be considered at a future meeting.