Write up of workshop delivered by the Waltham Forest Young Advisors on 06/04/2011

At the January 2011 Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee a key recommendation was to work on how Councillors could engage young people in Local Area Working, specifically ward forums. The new ward forums provide an opportunity to develop the way that young people are engaged in decision making in their local area.
Councillor Bellamy, Councillor Vincent, the Young Advisors team and the Youth Engagement Officer worked to design a workshop that would explore this issue. The workshop itself was delivered by the Young Advisors, and was attended by 14 Councillors and 12 Young Advisors.

For Councillors:
To think about and decide how they will involve young people in ward forums and local decision making
To think about how to promote ward forums to young people
To understand the best ways to engage with young people

• We found that Councillors generally have a good understanding of the issues facing young people – especially around gangs, schools and facilities for young people.
• Young people understand that Councillors may not be the people who can solve all their problems but would prefer to be ‘introduced’ rather than be referred on/given another number
• Young people like to be engaged ‘on their terms’. This could include an appropriate venue, but also a meeting that is non-judgemental and open minded. It is also important to think if the dates and times of meetings make them accessible to young people, who may have school/college either at the meeting time or early the next day.
• There are many ways of engaging with young people; through surgeries, ward forums, ward walks, youth centres or even engaging at bus stops or tube stations. Sometimes it is best to use a variety of methods; some young people are in school or college out of the borough so using different methods can ensure all young people are engaged.
• One tip can be to build relationships with young people, for example at a local school and then invite them to attend a local ward forum.
• Sometimes it can be difficult for Councillors to engage with young people as they work in the day which can make it difficult to visit schools. It can also be a challenge to think about where are the best opportunities to meet with young people locally. Young Advisors can help support Councillors engage with young people in their local area.

Councillor Sweden (Wood Street):
Invite the Safer Neighbourhood Team youth panel to do a presentation at the ward forum
Contact the local secondary school with a view to setting up a ‘youth surgery’

Councillor Qadir (Forest)
Speak to Leyton Sixth Form with a view to involving pupils in a youth forum

Councillor Bellamy (Higham Hill):
Conduct 4 youth surgeries per year, Ward forums for young people, go into all schools in ward and hold surgeries

Councillor Vincent (Markhouse):
Continue process of starting a youth forum in a youth club, When relationships have been built and the young people are confident; invite them to attend the ward forum.

Councillor Samih (Chapel End):
Use contact with local parents to engage with young people together with their families

Councillor Mbachu (Grove Green):
Visit bus station to leaflet young people about ward forums and attend schools in ward

Councillor Mahmood (Markhouse):
Highlight the work of ward forums to young people and hold youth meetings during the holiday period. Make myself available to local schools

Councillor Asghar (Markhouse):
Go to schools every three months

Councillor N Ali (William Morris):
Use Young Advisors to engage with young people and set up youth surgeries in schools. Set up a ward walk with the Young Advisors

Councillor Mahmud (Hoe Street):
Communicate about ward meetings – through school newsletters, and standing outside school to engage with pupils/parents with eye catching leaflets

Councillor Walker (Hatch Lane):
Speak with ward Councillors to think about best way to involve young people; probably through separate forums. Publicise youth facilities in Mayoral year.

• Put together a timeline for how this work will be integrated into the way ward forums work
• Build the links between Councillors and their local Young Advisors
• Conduct another workshop to engage more Councillors and to check on progress

Young Advisors are aged between 13-19 and come from a variety of backgrounds in Waltham Forest. They are recruited and specially trained to act as paid young consultants to inform decision making for local services and advise adults on the best way to engage with young people.

They could advise on how to make agenda’s and locations accessible to young people, helping chair meetings or providing feedback on how meetings went from a young person’s perspective.

If you would like to work with a Young Advisor, please have a think about the support you require and contact Waltham Forest YA Lead James Gould. He will develop a work plan with you for the Young Advisors time, and ensure that you receive an excellent service.