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STATES OF JERSEY
YOUTH SERVICE STATUTORY PROVISION (P.28/2024)– AMENDMENT
Lodged au Greffe on 4th June 2024
by the Minister for Children and Families Earliest date for debate: 11th June 2024
STATES GREFFE
2024 P.28 Amd.
YOUTH SERVICE STATUTORY PROVISION (P.28/2024)– AMENDMENT
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For the words “, to prepare and issue law drafting instructions, with input from” substitute the words “to undertake an evaluation, with input from (but not limited to) young people,”;
After the words “the Youth Service and Parishes, to” insert the words “consider the benefits and disbenefits of making” and delete the word “make”;
After the words “Education (Jersey) Law 1999” insert the words “or other legislation as appropriate”;
After the words “steps to ensure” delete the words “that its inclusion in the Law is brought into effect by January” and insert the words “that the results of the evaluation are brought back to the Assembly by the end of March 2026, with the funding of any actions identified for implementation to be included in the 2027 Government Plan”
MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Note: After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion −
to request the Minister for Children and Families to undertake an evaluation, with input from (but not limited to) young people, the Youth Service and Parishes, to consider the benefits and disbenefits of making the Youth Service a statutory service under the Minister, or his successor in title, and enshrined in the Education (Jersey) Law 1999 or other legislation as appropriate and to take the necessary steps to ensure that the results of the evaluation are brought back to the Assembly by the end of March 2026, with the funding of any actions identified for implementation to be included in the 2027 Government Plan.
Re-Issue Note
This projet has been re-issued due to an administrative error that published a previous version of the amendment.
REPORT
The Minister for Children and Families, along with members of the Council of Ministers, welcomes the focus on the Youth Service provided by Deputy Kovacs ’ Proposition. As the Deputy states in her Proposition, its intention is to strengthen and protect the service through legislation and at the same time not to change the current ownership or operational model. Both are key in making the Youth Service so successful and appreciated by the many who have links to this unique service.
The Minister for Children and Families and members of the Council of Ministers, agree that the Youth Service should continue to thrive and develop for it to remain relevant for the many young people using its service now and in the future. This indeed should be both celebrated and protected for future generations of young people.
The Government has continued to show its commitment to the Youth Service by increasing its support year on year:
This has enabled additional provisions / services to be offered to a wider group of young people, which has extended the reach of the service further through its Young Carers project, the new Multilingual Youth Project and the Targeted Youth Support Service. The Youth Service continues to develop from strength to strength.
It is for this reason the Minister for Children and Families and the Council of Ministers advise fellow Assembly members to be cautious when considering Deputy Kovacs ’ Proposition. On an initial review and brief assessment of the Proposition it may appear, if adopted, to be a ‘force for good’ to strengthen the service further. However, a note of care should be exercised to ensure the adoption of the Proposition does not lead to any unintended consequences for the Youth Service which have yet to be considered or appreciated.
As indicated above, the Jersey Youth Service is unique amongst services of its kind, both in Jersey and further afield. The relationship with the individual Parishes creates a strong foundation from which local projects for young people are created in partnership and provide young people a safe space within their community / Parish to meet with peers and have access to a Youth Worker for support and advice. This funding model is strong and enables creativity of provision, efficiency of delivery and effectiveness of outcomes. Careful consideration is required to avoid any unintended consequences to emerge should the purpose of the Youth Service be altered through legislation.
It is, therefore, proposed to the Assembly through this Amendment that an Evaluation is carried out to the efficacy of Deputy Kovacs ’ Proposition, to fully understand the implications of placing the Youth Service on a statutory footing. The following questions are just some of those that will need to be addressed as part of the evaluation:
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P.28/2024 Amd.
• What are the benefits of the Youth Service becoming a Statutory service?
• What are the disadvantages of the Youth Service becoming a Statutory service?
o What will this mean in practice?
• What will statutory status seek to protect that is of value?
• What impact will there be on funding with this proposition?
• Will this change the relationship between the Youth Service and the Parishes if the service is statutory?
• Are there examples of a transition to a Statutory service that can be understood, from both the UK and other jurisdictions?
• Will the outcomes the Youth Service is trying to achieve for young people and the wider community change should the Youth Service become a Statutory service?
• What do current funders and stakeholders think about any potential changes?
• How do we involve Children and Young People in any consultation on their service?
The evaluation will provide time and space for consultation to take place with key stakeholders such as Parishes, Youth Project Charity Committees and young people to have a voice, and for staff engagement to be undertaken so all parties understand the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal.
CYPES Officers are in the process of developing an Evaluation Scoping Document that will provide more detail on the following;
• Setting of the objects of an Evaluation
• The Scope of Evaluation
• The Methodology to be used
• Who the Evaluation Team will consist of
• Deliverables and timescales
• Highlight any potential risks and mitigation
• To have timescale of reporting
It is intended to respond back to the Assembly in the first quarter of 2026 with the outcome of this evaluation in order for a decision to be made as to the benefits or disbenefits of the Youth Service being made a Statutory Provision.
Financial and staffing implications
At the time of this report there is no projected additional costs apart from Officer time from CYPES, Youth Service and Cabinet Office.
Children’s Rights Impact Assessment
A Children’s Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has been prepared in relation to this proposition and is available to read on the States Assembly website.