Emma Sparrow

Engagement and Development Manager

Children’s Services, Schools and Families

Power and Influence

Bedford BoroughNew Unitary Authority from 2009 following local government reorganisationElected Mayor and hung council 40 Councillors (12/12/12/4) £390 million budget 2,500 employees across the Council (not including Borough schools)50 schools, 25 academies, 1 free school. Mixture of 3 tier and 2 tier provision

27 wards made up of 45 parishes and 2 towns.103 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA) and 20 Middle Super Output Areas (MSOA) in the Borough. 11 Super Output Areas are in the most deprived areas in England with 4 are in the top 10%.

Population: 157,479 residents living in 65,000 households with 18,588 or those being 11-19s living. 28.5% of the population is from a black or minority ethnic community with the Borough ranking in the Top 100 of 348 English local authorities in the proportion of its population in 15 of the 17 minority ethnic groupings. 4,154 or 4.1% of the working age are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.

Bedford Borough

Engagement and Development Team

InformConsultInvolve

Represent

Children’s Services

Council and Borough Wide

3 – 19s Up to 25 with a

disability

StrategicCapacity Building

Operational

1 f/t manager1 p/t officer

Operational budget £1800 / year

12/13150+ sessions

16 consultations£86k income

6 top tier YVVsNational pilots

Our Youth Voice Vehicles

Participation

Who is the most involved in the basketball?

Player sent offCheering spectator Ice Cream SellerPlayer on the court RefereeTaxi Driver CoachPlayer on the bench Bored SpectatorCheer Leader

Spend a few minutes in small groups discussing the roles then share your thoughts with each other

Streams of ParticipationInformConsultInvolveRepresent

Levels of ParticipationIndividualGroup / communityServiceStrategic

Bedford Borough

Principles of Participation

Principles of Participation

Effective participation needs...

• Access to those in power• Access to information• Genuine choice / distinctive options• Support and skill development• Avenues for complaint • Roles within governance• To be an integral part of the organisation

Hodgson -Participation of Children & Young People in social work, Taylor - Involving users in

the running of voluntary organisations

Principles of Participation

Power and Influence

Young Commissioners CASH, CAMHS, CarersYouth Led grant making

Short Breaks, Youth Innovation ZoneYouth Proofing policies

Work experience, tender documents, Healthwatch, Conference and Review

ShadowingTake Over Day (week!), Health and Wellbeing Board, Corporate Parenting Panel, Children’s

Trust, Work Experience for disabled young peopleStrategic Influence

Housing, advice, transport, planning, short breaks statement, LAC Health

Decision Making ReportingDCS / Mayor meetings, Portfolio Holder reports to Youth Cabinet, Partner reports to LINK Vice Versa

Representative RoleBedford LINk / Healthwatch, Carers Strategic

Partnership, Police CYP Officer, You’re Welcome, Citizen’s Survey

Power and Influence Assessment

Principles of Participation

Power and Influence Case Study

RAG Assessment signed off by SLT

Case study interview and

signed off by SLT

13/14InformConsultInvolve

Represent

Art whispers