Detached Youth Work Grant

Overview

Background

No Child Left Behind recognises the negative impact on the lives of young people and on the wider community of the limited availability of universal youth provision, so we have joined forces to commission additional universal detached youth work in Cheltenham.  This forms part of our commitment to collectively investment through No Child Left Behind, to help all young people to thrive.

The outcomes we want to deliver

Young people in Cheltenham have access to high quality and effective youth work practice that is inclusive and accesible in a time and place that meets their needs.

We want to commission additional detached youth work that complements existing provision and is:

• Universal, in that it is open to all young people as opposed to being targeted intervention.
• Delivered by one organisation, or a partnership of organisations.
• High quality and delivered by skilled, qualified youth workers (with support from trained volunteers), who are employed by an organisation experienced in delivering youth work. 
• Delivered in the areas listed below under Target Cohort.
• Diversionary, offering young people a different experience, led by their needs and wants.  To meet the requirements of one of the funding sources, we would expect to see some of the provision include opportunities for creative or cultural expression, whether that is in partnership with another local organisation, or you have the skills to deliver this yourself.
• Considers ways to reduce health inequalities and support the mental wellbeing of the young people engaged with.
• Supporting wider work to divert young people at risk of criminal exploitation.
• Reflective of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) community agreement, in that the provision should be based on our key themes of being trauma informed and based on kindness and empathy. We would also like the provider to sign up to the NCLB community agreement if they have not already done so at https://nclbcheltenham.org.uk/community-agreement.

Funding available

There is a total of up to 47K available made up of the following contributions:

£7000 from Cheltenham Borough Homes

£10k from the strengthening local communities grant via NHS Gloucestershire

£30,000 from the Home Office and OPCC via Safer Streets Fund round 5

Target cohort

Young people aged 11-18 who are at risk of engaging in risky behaviour, including anti-social behaviour and getting drawn into other criminal activity.  With the aim that 75% of young people engaged with will be 13-18.  The target cohorts should be identified through liaison with schools, Cheltenham Borough Homes, social prescriber link workers, social care, Cheltenham Borough Council and Police.  Provision must be able to deliver and demonstrate direct benefit to young people in:

• Living in St Pauls (7,000)
• Living in the Moors (30,000)
• Those gathering in the town centre (7,000)
• Response to hotspots (3,000)

Recommended method of youth work delivery

We wish to commission youth work that is primarily detached, i.e. that can happen on the street where young people are at both geographically and developmentally, although on occasions buildings may be used if a particular situation requires it. 

It is critical that the commissioned youth work does not duplicate or undermine existing youth work provision, and instead complements and supports this.

Expectations

In addition to time spent delivering youth work on the ground, we expect some time to be allocated in each area for liaising with the relevant partner organisations and also for the provider to attend and report back quarterly to NCLB.

Timing

The work should commence with a soft launch in March 2024 allowing the successful provider to meet partners, talk to local young people and mobilise the provision.  The full project would be expected to start in April 2024 and run for 12 months until March 2025 including both school holidays and term time

Closing date

Application need to be submitted by 10am on Monday 8^th January. 

Please apply using the link below 

Making an application

The application form

Please complete the application form online remembering to answer all the questions. Please note that we may ask to see a copy of your constitution and last annual accounts (audited where this is a requirement for your organisation).

Who can apply?

We would like to encourage existing and established youth work providers to apply, whether Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) or public sector organisations.

What we will fund

The funding is being made available to support the direct provision of detached youth work which is defined as activities for young people that supports young people to feel safe, develops their emotional resilience and builds positive relationships between them and the wider community.  Activities should be available across the borough, including the 3 areas listed under Target Cohort above. 

What we won’t fund

• Staffing/managerial costs that are not related to the direct delivery of the programme.
• Work being delivered outside the Cheltenham borough boundary.
• Applications that cannot demonstrate that safeguarding arrangements are in place.

How much can be applied for?

£47,000 is available.  We would ideally like to fund one organisation, or a partnership of organisations, to enable a longer term, secure and sustainable programme to be delivered, which allows relationships with young people to be built.  However, please get in touch if you would like to discuss offering delivery in specific areas. 

Monitoring and evaluation

Applications will need to show how reporting, monitoring and evaluation will be carried out.

Timescales

Applications will need to be received by 10am on the 8^th January. We will assess applications w/b 8th January, short listed applicants will be invited to meet the assessment panel on w/b 15th January. 

Assessing Applications

Who will assess the applications?

An assessment panel will be formed that will include the following:

• Councillor Flo Clucas, Cheltenham Borough Council Cabinet Member
• A representative from NCLB
• Angela Gilbert to represent the wider VCS
• A representative of the Integrated Locality Partnership
• Caroline Walker, Head of Community Services, Cheltenham Borough Homes
• Young people

The specific assessment criteria

The assessment panel will be looking for applications that have been well thought out and can demonstrate the following:

• How your work will meet our outcomes as set out above.
• A good track record of youth work delivery

General assessment criteria

• Overall value for money including any match funding (which can include in-kind contributions)
• Accessibility of your work
• Evidence of thorough planning including safeguarding arrangements, health and safety, any relevant licensing issues, appropriate risk management and contingency planning
• Sustainability of your work and its outcomes beyond the grant
• Evidence of partnership working
• A robust system for collecting, monitoring and assessing the impacts and success of the your work and for reporting and sharing this information.

If you are successful

Duration

Successful applicants will have a period of 12 months to have spent all the funding.

Project management

The applicant organisation will be responsible for the project management and delivery of successful schemes. Consequently we will be looking for applications that demonstrate clarity of both planning and delivery of the projects with an understanding of what permissions and measures will be required to see the successful implementation of the project.

As these projects involve working with children and young people, we also ask you about what measures you have in place to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people.

Agreements and performance management

Before your work can start, the council will enter into a project agreement with the provider which will set out various obligations on the two parties. This is very important as the way in which the money is used will be subject to inspection and audit.  Your monitoring plans will help us ensure that your work is progressing along the right tracks.

Grant payments

For successful applicants, payments will be made in 4 instalments.  The first will be made up front, and the others on receipt of completed performance management report and claim forms. 

Other considerations

Please be aware that as this is public money, the funding will be subject to inspection and audit. Any fraudulent activity will be quickly identified and reported to the police.