A new report has praised the Council’s Youth Service for its work with young people with learning disabilities and special educational needs.
An Ofsted inspector visited Bath and North East Somerset in June, as part of a national survey into the importance of youth work for young people with disabilities. Over two days she visited Peasedown and Southside Youth Hubs where she met and spoke to disabled young people and observed them in a range of youth work activities.
She met parents, carers, families and friends of the young people, youth workers from all Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Youth Hubs, and also representatives from chools, colleges, Connexions, voluntary organisations and the health service.
The inspector identified the following areas of good practice:
- Bath and North East Somerset Council has good plans for youth work for young disabled people and its Youth Service works together with voluntary, charitable and community organisations to turn the plans into activities.
- The provision at Peasedown is “an excellent example of well planned, highly effective youth work” Many of the disabled young people there initially had been nervous about coming along. They have been helped to overcome this, have grown in confidence and are very enthusiastic about attending the sessions.
- The activities available, which include regular residential activities and visits, are challenging and stimulating. The young people are encouraged to develop the life skills necessary for independent living and to progress in learning.
- Activities are inclusive so that disabled young people are working, learning and having fun with non-disabled young people although workers also run separate sessions when disabled young people themselves prefer that.
- Young people can obtain certificates and qualifications for their achievements. These are designed to help the young people move on to employment and volunteering opportunities
- Off The Record and The Children’s Society have set up sessions in which the views of disabled young people can be heard. Disabled young people have been able to influence things that concern them such as their access to public swimming facilities.
- The youth workers build very positive relationships with young people and are skilled in working with young people with additional needs.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Young People, said: “This is an excellent report from Ofsted and demonstrates Bath & North East Somerset Council’s commitment to supporting young people to achieve their full potential.”
Paula Bromley, the Council’s Principal Youth Officer, said: “Young people and their parents or carers have always been very positive about the activities available for disabled young people locally and we were delighted that the inspector recognised so many examples of good practice.”
