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WQ.74/2020
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 25th FEBRUARY 2020
Question
Will the Minister advise –
- what progress, if any, has been made with the development of a youth facility in the north of St. Helier , as agreed by the Assembly in the amendment to the Common Strategic Policy (P.110/2018 Amd.(2)); and
- what the timescale is for development of a site, construction of the building and the opening of the facility?
Answer
As agreed by the States as part of the Government Plan 2020/23 debate in December 2019, a new centre for children & young people will support the vision and four outcomes of the Children & Young Person plan. These have been highlighted in the project outcomes:
Outcome 1: - All Children in Jersey Grow up Safely Outcome 2: - All Children in Jersey Learn & Achieve Outcome 3: - All Children in Jersey Live Healthy Lives Outcome 4: - All Children in Jersey are Valued and Involved
- Officers from the Youth Service and Property Holding have met regularly to progress the project. Work undertaken includes:
Business Plan developed and submitted in March 2019, tested and progressed through the Government planning process with resource agreed as part of the capital programme
Site visits carried out to exemplars of community buildings hosting young people's services in the UK
The specification for the Centre is being developed using professional expertise of Jersey Property Holdings and Youth Service with a proposed building of approximately 2500 metres square
The first draft of the feasibility study is almost complete
The building of a new community centre in the north of town presents an opportunity to house the developing and increasing family and community services (early help) to children and families. This will mean that in addition to youth services the building will also be used for the Right Help Right Time Children's Hub (the front door) where children, young people and families can access a range of supports on offer.
The identification of the site is a critical component of this development and must meet the service specification requirements while being in the right' location.
- Moving forward
A definite timescale is not available as several elements of the project prior to the development of an implementation plan require to be firmed up.
This includes a final feasibility study which sets out:
• The finalisation of the service specification and subsequent design of the building
• Identification and agreement of site which will support the aims and outcomes of the service
• A full business case written for the centre and service identifying resource required taking into account any impact on other elements of the service
• To develop an implementation plan which sets out roles, responsibilities with timescales
In addition, preparatory work will take place in advance of the centre opening and will include:
• Staff engaging with children and young people living within the North of Town. It is proposed that this team will work with children and young people from the area to get them involved in the design of the centre, encouraging ownership by young people so they start to take some ownership of the centre for example by helping design the centres logos, opening times, what activities they would like delivered from the centre
• A Youth Project Advisory Group to be formed similar to all other youth projects around the island who can support links into the community and carry out fundraising event to support the Youth Work delivery. This group would consist of adults and young people.
The North of Town Centre illustrates the Government of Jersey's commitment to children and young people which will inspire children and young people and transform lives for the better where children and young people are put first and know that they are cared for, recognised, supported and valued.
The intention is to have a building that houses services that are examples of best practice.