feature: Making the right connexions
19 March 2008
From April Connexions – the organisation which provides information and advice to teenagers – will be run by Haringey Council’s Youth Service and incorporated into an integrated support service for young people.
And one of the key aims of the new arrangement is to make the service more accessible for young people.
Connexions provides guidance on a range of issues, including work, learning, rights, health, money, housing, relationships and parents.
The service will have two drop-in centres in the borough – at Marcus Garvey and Wood Green libraries.
But Connexions personal advisers will be available at more locations in the borough. Belinda Evans, head of Haringey Youth Service, explains:
“One of the key changes we want to introduce is to make the Connexions service more accessible for young people.
“We’ve been talking to them about when the best time is for these drop-in centres to be open. We want to have personal advisers at all of our youth centres and schools at set times.
“We also want to see if we can use new technology so that they can access information, advice and guidance more easily.
“The whole point of Connexions is that it’s a holistic service – offering help across a range of issues which affect young people – especially helping them into further education, training or employment.
“It can also help young people overcome barriers that prevent them from making the most of their abilities – whether because of lack of skills, family problems or peer pressure.”
Cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Liz Santry said: It’s important that our services to young people in Haringey are well co-ordinated.
“Connexions becoming part of our youth service supports that approach.
“It will mean young people can get the help, advice and support they need easily.”
The Youth Service currently provides a range of activities. There are three youth centres in Wood Green, Muswell Hill and Tottenham, details of which can be seen on the website www.youthspace.haringey.gov.uk.
There is a team of workers who make contact with young people in areas where there is little or no provision. One of the key aspects of the service is that it offers accreditation in a variety of areas including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as certificates for volunteering in the community. There are also specialist staff who work with young people who are at risk of engaging in crime, providing opportunities for them as alternatives.
Through the Youth Offer (a national initiative funding additional activities for young people linked to the Government’s 10 year strategy for young people – Aim Higher), there will be an additional £3.1 million for young people in Haringey over the next two years, some direct from the Mayor of London. Some of this funding has been allocated to the Youth Opportunities Fund – which is decided by local young people themselves.
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