Youth Reps and Scrutiny

Overview and scrutiny is an essential part of ensuring that local services are effective and accountable.  Youth Reps advise the committee directly on children and young people’s needs and what impact legislation will have on them growing up in the City
Scrutiny ensures that:
• Executives are held accountable for their decisions
• Their decision making process is clear and accessible to the public
• There are opportunities for the public and their representatives to influence and improve public policy.
14 Executive Members participated in training delivered by Louise, Iram and Diane from Scrutiny Office and Councillor Karen Hamilton Chair of Children’s Education and Overview Scrutiny Committee.

Youth Reps meet monthly to discuss issues/campaigns they wish to raise as well as explore any reports which will be discussed at the meeting and together create a ‘Crib Sheet’.

Each month at least 2 Youth Reps attended the Ed Scrutiny supported by staff from RAP(Who are not allowed to speak!)  But Rep’s have the ‘Crib Sheet’ which is normally shared under Agenda Item – Young Peoples Issues.

Children’s Education and Overview Scrutiny Committee - Youth Service Review

Youth Reps invited Harry Fowler Head of the Youth Service and Ben Cochrane Unite Union Rep, and Aston Detached Youth Project to find out about their views and impact of Changes in the Youth Service.
They visited projects with Executive Members to hear from young people across the city and some attended evidence sessions to hear from youth workers, across a range of youth services.
They distributed a online survey to collect the views of young people who do not access Birmingham’s Youth Services to find out why?

Vulnerable Children’s and Overview Scrutiny – Young People Scrutiny Review of Safeguarding

Youth Reps, young people from Schools, Youth Projects and Care Leavers participated in a cross city day – starting at the Council House were they heard from Mark Gurrey (Service Director, Integrated Services and Care) and Carol Douche (Head of Safeguarding) and discussed ‘What makes us feel safe/Unsafe’ before heading cross city with Cllr Hamilton and Cllr Evans on Board to ask the same questions to young people at BaseKS.  They ended the evening at E.R. Mason Youth Centre were young people from across the City joined them to share ‘What makes us feel safe/Unsafe’. 

Young Disabled Champions

represented by Adam attended Decembers Vulnerable Children’s Scrutiny to update and inform them of the excellent work they have been doing to ensure children and young people in our City with a range of disabilities, have a voice in strategic decision making .As this committee meets monthly at 10.00 a.m.! it is not always possible for Youth Reps to attend these meetings on a regular basis.  Youth Reps therefore have an open invitation to attend were possible.

By participating in scrutiny, Youth Reps are able to put forward a different perspective on how services are being delivered and how they could be improved. Youth Reps can raise issues, and comment on decisions as well as contributing ideas for the future from the point of view of the children and young people who have elected them.  If you would like more information or would like to be involved in any of the Scrutiny Committees please contact kathleen.shaw@birmingham.gov.uk