In Gateshead we are passionate about the involvement of children and young people in the planning, review and delivery of services which is why we were awarded Beacon Status for Positive Youth Engagement in 2006 as a Partnership. We engage with children and young people through a number of general forums including Gateshead Youth Assembly, 5 Neighbourhood Youth Forums, the black and minority ethnic Youth Forum, Connexions YES forum and also more specialised groups including One Voice Youth Network for Children in Care and the Young Talented Camera Crew for children with disabilities. Involving younger children is also a priority. We have carried out innovative work through children’s centres to show how it is possible to understand the views of pre-school children and through The Children Say project, a DVD has been produced about what the Every Child Matters outcomes mean to young children.

Overview and Scrutiny processes and Best Value reviews

Children and Young people have been involved in a wide range of Overview and Scrutiny processes and Best Value reviews. In 2006/7 this has included the Review of Community Centres, Race Equality, Childhood Obesity, Services to Looked after Children, Democratic Process in addition to Best value reviews of Services to neighbourhoods. Young people have been part of the evidence gathering and the discussions and visits. In recent months Children and young people have presented to full Council about the Philip Lawrence award winning “Am A Bovvered” drink spiking campaign, the Gateshead meets Ghana visit and the Komatsu youth exchange. Young people have also been directly involved in the development of the sustainable community strategy in addition to the Young peoples engagement plan for the new Area Forum initiative.

Through a series of training sessions, Schools Councils are currently being re-invigorated to support children and young people to play a more active role in decision making in their school.

Development of the Children and Young People's Plan

The development and implementation of this Children and Young People’s Plan is an interactive process with action plans being reviewed throughout the year. Around 700 children and young people were involved in setting the priorities for the three-year plan in 2006. To raise awareness amongst more children and young people about the Children and Young People’s Plan and to engage them in how the plan should be delivered, an exercise will take place involving all Schools Councils throughout Gateshead. The Children and Young People’s Plan has been produced in a young people friendly version to help children and young people answer the question ‘what does it mean to me?’ This exercise will provide the ideal opportunity for Schools Councils to use their new skills to influence how the plan is delivered.