A report providing an update on activity regarding the ‘Growing Up in Reading’ report developed by Brighter Futures for Children, partners and the Council.

The Executive Director of Children’s Services – Education, Early Help and Social Care, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) submitted a report on the activity developed by BFfC, partners and the Council regarding the ‘Growing Up in Reading’ report.

Vicky Rhodes, Director of Early Help and Prevention, BFfC, presented the report and highlighted the main activities following the participation of over 700 young people in research carried out by a Youth Social Actions Team, supported by Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) and the University of Reading Participation Lab.

The key priorities identified were as follows:

• Strengthening communication and publicity of the current youth offer; this would include promotion of the offer via a range of platforms to attract young people including the use of social media and an Instagram page. 
• Identifying capacity/resource to co-ordinate and develop the youth offer; RBC Housing department had recruited a small team of youth workers to provide youth work in identified areas and support community groups to develop local youth clubs.  Following confirmation of the extension of the Holiday Activity Fund from the Government providers for holiday activities for Easter 2022 had been completed. These would include specialist camps for children with special education needs and disabilities. 
• Working together to secure further funding to develop Reading’s youth offer with a focus on social inclusion and diversity. Following a series of focus groups, it was agreed that the clinical commissioning group would provide a larger response across Berkshire West.  Discussions were being undertaken with RVA on the best was to allocate the £10k across local voluntary groups.

The next steps would include a bid for national Transformation Funding for Family Hubs. There were no timescales confirmed, however, work continued to be undertaken with local partners in preparation for the bid. The next round of Youth Investment Fund would offer the opportunity for youth support in Church, Norcot, Southcote and Whitley wards.

A range of opportunities for local people to have a voice in Reading included a No. 5 Young Ambassadors ‘Restart Youth’ report on mental health services. Also, the development of a broader young people’s forum to bring together a range of existing groups to support engagement, particularly through the One Reading Children and Young People’s Partnership Board.

It was reported that early discussions were taking place with young people and the voluntary and community sector on setting up a youth hub in Reading.

It was noted that mapping had highlighted gaps regarding activities for young people in different cultural communities. However, youth work with the voluntary sector was being undertaken to resource activities and enable accessibility for all groups. 

It was suggested that the term BAME did not reflect the diverse cultures and communities in Reading.  Also, discussions were taking place with BFfC in supporting and meeting the needs of mixed heritage children in the community.  

Resolved –    That the responses progressed by Brighter Futures for Children in collaboration with Council and key partners to the ‘Growing Up in Reading’ report be noted.