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The ‘Youth Justice SEND Quality Lead’ award, administered by Microlink, recognises consistently high levels of practice delivered through the YOS in partnership with other agencies, and the diversity of roles working together. These include youth workers, social workers, teachers, police staff and a probation officer.
A high proportion of children and young people served by North Somerset’s YOS present with significant speech language and communication needs. To improve provision, the team also now includes a dedicated speech and language therapist, funded two days a week by the NHS and delivered through Sirona care & health.
The standards for this national benchmark have been developed in consultation with local authorities, the Department for Education and the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers.
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for lifelong learning, said: “I’m delighted that our youth offending service partnership has been given this national award in recognition of the excellent work that they do with young people with SEND. I was so pleased to be able to congratulate and thank those involved for their hard work in person on Friday.
“The process rigorously tested the system to identify current areas of strength and took the opportunity to further develop practice to tackle inequality and improve outcomes for the children and young people of North Somerset.”
More information about the work of the North Somerset’s YOS, including the programmes available and details of how to refer a young person, are available on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/youthservices.
Photo (left to right): Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council's Executive Member for Children, Young People, Lifelong learning and Skills; Laura De Kock, Support Worker, North Somerset Council; Marius Frank, Head of Education, Microlink PC; Mike Rees, Head of Youth Justice, North Somerset Council; Lucy Frampton, Substance Advice and Diversion Manager, North Somerset Council; Wendy Packer, Head of Inclusion Service, North Somerset Council.