YOUNG PEOPLE’S REFERENCE GROUP (YPRG) - January 2025

The YPRG are progressing to share the learning from their consultation process, including at a meeting with the Deputy Permanent Secretary of DE and have also recently met with the Education and Training Inspectorate.  The plan is to share and disseminate the recommendation, vision and purpose identified with the Policy Reference Gorup and sub-groups, Project Board, Cross-Departmental Group, the Minister and Department of Education Senior Officials, to ensure the voice and experience of children and young remains central in the review and development of youth work policy.

Some members for the YPRG have agreed to extend their role in the policy review for another 6 months, taking on a slightly different role of sitting on Project board and PRG to ensure accountability as the policy progresses and to provide quality assurance that the new policy aligns with the views of children and young people.

The YPRG have completed a survey to capture a wide range of views from children and young people and this can be completed by clicking the following link: - Children and young person's survey on youth work. This is open to any child or young person, aged 4-25 to complete including those who have not engaged in youth work. Closing date for this survey to be completed is 17 February 2025.

POLICY REFERENCE GROUP (PRG)

The Policy Reference Group (PRG) met on 14 November at Stranmillis University College, Belfast.

Sector updates were provided which included information on the report ‘Shaping the Future: Voluntary Youth Work in NI’ and input from the EA advising that the new dynamic Regional Assessment of Need survey was active with outcomes expected to go out for public consultation in January 2025.

An update was provided on meetings of the Project Board, Cross-Departmental Group and Young People’s Reference Group (YWPG) scheduled for December 2024, future plans and planning for youth practitioners engagement events.

A further meeting of the Policy Reference Group took place on Wednesday 8 January at Rathgael House, Bangor.  Membership update included the change of Chair of the Group following a re-organisation of responsibilities within the Department.   The reorganisation reflects the Minister’s priorities.

Sector updates were provided and included information on Dormant Accounts, highlighting the need for further investment to build on the work already completed and the commencement of work on the EA Regional Assessment of Need.

At both meetings progress updates were provided by the relevant Joint Chairs/members of all subgroups.

POLICY REFERENCE GROUP (PRG) SUB-GROUPS

A workshop is planned for early February 2025 to ensure the work of the subgroups is aligned and is expected to include input from Young People’s Reference Group on their finding from their consultations with youth people and their recommendations for a new youth work policy.

CROSS-DEPARTMENTAL GROUP

The last Cross Departmental Group meeting took place on 12th December 2024, with the next meeting scheduled for March 2025. 

Two Departments continue to work to complete their returns in relation to government investment in Youth Services and information will be updated on receipt.

Representatives from the Voluntary Sector Dormant Accounts Co-ordinating Committee attended the meeting and provided a presentation on ‘Shaping the Future:  Voluntary Youth Work in NI’ report.  They provided some background in relation to the Committee and what they have delivered with funding they applied for – this is set out in the report ‘The future of voluntary youth work in Northern Ireland – aspirations for transformation’.  They also shared a research report ‘How to Grow the Voluntary Youth Work Sector in NorthernIreland’ after which there was some general discussion about the shape of the youth sector and the work that needs to be done.

Updates were provided by DE on the Young People’s Reference Group, Policy Reference Group, including the five PRG sub-groups, and the Project Board.

PROJECT BOARD

The Project Board has met five times since the Policy Review commenced and most recently on 5 December 2024.  The next meeting scheduled for March 2025.

The previous Interim EA Finance Director who was Senior Supplier on the Project Board stepped down in September 2024 and has been replaced by a new Interim EA Finance Director who will attend the March 2025 Project Board meeting.

Further research reports have been added to the lessons learned log along with a section to record Changes & Impacts and Benefits & Outcomes identified.  The risk register is under review on an ongoing basis and is updated as appropriate.