HSC commits funding to Youth Commission services

Tuesday 23 June 2020

The Youth Commission can continue supporting some of the Bailiwick's most vulnerable children over the next three years, with further co-funding confirmed from Health & Social Care.

Both the Advocacy and Child Sexual Exploitation services are run by the commission and backed by the States, who partly fund the vital work.

"Young people are the experts when it comes to their own lives and how they experience the world around them," said Service Lead for the Youth Commission, Aaron Davies. "This commitment from Health & Social Care ensures that the voice of the child remains key to shaping decisions that are made that affect them."

The Advocacy services provides each young person in the care of the States or subject to child protection plans with a key worker. These workers listen to the young people and make sure they have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

Pictured: Key workers support and listen to young people.

Meanwhile, the Child Sexual Exploitation service has a number of specialist workers who offer one-to-one support with young people who are, or may become, victims of sexual exploitation. They also go around schools raising awareness of the signs of CSE and promote key messages throughout the community.

"We are delighted that the Youth Commission are able to continue with this essential support for some of our most vulnerable children and young people as it is a key objective within the Children and Young People's Plan," added Head of Inclusion and Services for Children and Schools, Nick Hynes. "The Youth Commission continue to be key partners in this plan and, through their valuable work in partnership with the States of Guernsey, we are able to improve the lives of children and young people."

The new agreement means the two services can continue until 2023.

"HSC is pleased to be able to continue to provide financial support for these key services," said President of HSC, Deputy Heidi Soulsby.

"A key aim of the Partnership of Purpose is to provide user-centred care, where services are joined up, where people are valued, listened to, informed and respected and involved throughout their health and care journey.

"Both the Advocacy Service and the Child Sexual Exploitation Service are excellent examples of the Partnership of Purpose in action, where government is working with the third sector to significantly improve the health and wellbeing of all islanders."