National strategies
The Department for Education provides the key strategy for information, advice and guidance work with young people aged 13-19 (and up to 25 years for young people with learning difficulties and /or disabilities).
The Department for Business, Innovations and Skills and the Department for Work and Pensions provide national strategies affecting our work with young people and adults.
The work of Connexions Staffordshire contributes to each of the national strategies outlined below:
Every Child Matters
In 2003 the Government published the green paper called Every Child Matters which highlighted the need for all agencies working with young people to work effectively together in order to improve the lives of young people.
Five desired outcomes for young people were highlighted in the paper:
- Being healthy
- Staying safe
- Enjoying and achieving
- Making a positive contribution
- Economic well-being
Subsequent ‘Next Steps’ papers were produced by the Government and the Children Act 2004 was passed to provide legislation towards improving the effectiveness of services for children and young people.
Visit the Every Child Matters website to read more.
Youth Matters
Youth Matters and Youth Matters: Next Steps published by the Government in 2005 and 2006 respectively, proposed that young people should have:
- More things to do and places to go in their local area – and more influence over what is available
- More opportunities to volunteer and to make a contribution to their local community
- Better information, advice and guidance about issues that matter to them, delivered in the way that they want to receive it
- Better support when they need extra help to deal with problems.
These documents and the proposals they highlighted, have been the catalyst for the development of Integrated Youth Support Services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Click here for further information about the Integrated Youth Support Service in Staffordshire.
Aiming High for Disabled Children
Launched in 2007, Aiming High for Disabled Children is the government’s transformation programme for disabled children’s services. It aims to deliver:
- Access and empowerment for disabled children and families
- Responsive services and timely support
- Improved service quality and capacity
Strategies for 2009
In 2009 the governement published the following documents, all of which have significant imact on the Connexions service.
