Northamptonshire

	Programme Name:	Exeter, Corby
	Programme Manager:	Kate Nash
	Telephone:	01536 464000

Programme Description

The initial work to set up a Youth Works programme on the Exeter estate in Corby started in 2005. Following a successful feasibility study in March 2006 a number of partners who made a significant contribution to the feasibility study and wish to be an active part of the steering group have been identified as follows :

Northamptonshire Police Authority - particularly the school liaison officer, hate crimes officer and local beat officer.

Autumn Neighbourhood Centre - community members and the management committee have been very supportive of the programme. The centre in based at the heart of the Youth Works Area. The Manager there was a member of the interview panel for appointing the Youth Development Worker to run the Youth Works Programme.

Corby Borough Council - Council Officers have been able to help prove the need for the project to be established in the area and supportive of the development. Local Councillors have also shown commitment to the programme and are keen to make strong links into decision-making bodies within the council. The leader of the council was also a member of the short-listing panel to appoint the Youth Development Worker. Corby Borough Council will be a key partner to help the steering group share good practice across other agencies in the borough and county.

Corby Community College & Exeter Primary School - both schools have a significant number of pupils from the Youth Works programme area and are keen to be part of the inter-agency group to help steer the programme. Further to this they are keen to develop their extended schools programme alongside Youth Works so activities can compliment each other.

Northampton Children and Young People’s Partnership - representatives from the partnership have been made aware of the Youth Works programme, it is anticipated that they will be making increasing links with the programme as it develops. The partnership will have a particular role in sharing good practice and promoting the Youth Works programme across the borough and the county.

Healthy Lifestyle Co-ordinator from Heartlands PCT - are keen to link into the programme and be an active part of the steering group, providing opportunities for young people to be more physically active and consider the choices for living a healthy lifestyle. Particular priorities for the county with regards young people’s health are drinking and drug misuse, Youth Works offers a significant opportunity for the PCT to work with Young People around these issues and share good practice.

The Exeter Estate, Corby Youth Works programme aims to formally establish a programme steering group by September 2006, targets for the steering group will be set accordingly.

Staff recruitment

Groundwork North Northamptonshire successfully recruited a Youth Development Worker in April 2006 who is due to start at the beginning of July 2006. This position will lead on the development of the Youth Works programme and a timetable for the development of the programme will be established by September 2006.

Direct work with Young People in the Youth Works programme area will commence once the Youth Development Worker is in post. A key task for the first 3 months of the programme will be to reach and engage with young people, make assessment of needs and start to put in place appropriate responses to those needs. The programme will be developed with young people playing a central part, looking for their own solutions and becoming part of the decision making processes for the Youth Works programme and their local area.

Young People from the Exeter area played a significant part in the interview process to appoint the Youth Development Worker. They undertook a discussion task with candidates and a role-play about challenging behaviour and were an equal part of the scoring and decision making process.

July 2006

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