Connexions and Children’s Services
- The government wrote a report called Every Child Matters. In this they asked each area of the country to set up Children’s Trusts.
- The Trusts bring together organisations that provide services to children and young people from 0-19 years of age. For example, social services, hospitals, schools.
- Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole each have Children’s Trusts covering their area.
- Connexions is fully involved in each of these Children’s Trusts. Connexions is the one service that can reach all 13-19 year olds. Our database is the main point of information about the numbers of young people in work and learning and the barriers to learning.
Connexions and the local authority
- Each local authority is now responsible for the Connexions service in their area.
- Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole have commissioned Ansbury to deliver the Connexions service in their areas.
- Ansbury is the same company that used to be called Connexions across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. We still use this brand for our Connexions work but we also have other contracts and projects.
5 priorities for children and young people
Children’s Trusts will work on five “outcomes” for all children and young people:
1. Being healthy
2. Staying safe
3. Enjoying and achieving
4. Making a positive contribution
5. Achieving economic well-being
What will Connexions do to help with these?
1. Being healthy
Connexions will support young people to have a healthy lifestyle - physical, mental and emotional. This includes raising awareness and/or putting young people in touch with the best people who can help with issues such as healthy eating, sexual health, teenage pregnancy, drugs, alcohol and smoking.
2. Staying Safe
Connexions will work with partner organisations to try to make sure young people are safe and free from bullying, exploitation, discrimination and crime.
3. Enjoying and achieving
Connexions will support all young people to enjoy learning and do as well as possible. We will also encourage involvement in worthwhile leisure activities.
4. Making a positive contribution
Connexions encourages young people to get involved in decision-making and support the local community. This includes peer support projects and volunteering activities.
5. Achieving economic well-being
Connexions will provide unbiased quality information, advice and guidance to encourage and support young people to enter and stay in education, training or employment.
Updated Sept 09
Posted on 24 September 2009
