IYSS

Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS) is a national programme aimed at improving the youth provisions for all young people between the ages of 13-19 (up to 25 if they have learning difficulties or disabilities).

The Youth Matters Green Paper (2005) and the Next Steps document (2006) rolled out the Government's vision for integrated youth support services.  The thinking behind the new structure is to have available services for all young people that will achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes through what is called a "Core Youth Offer".

The Youth Offer must include

• Improved information, advice and guidance (IAG) on education, careers and health
•  Access to positive activities and personal development opportunities in leisure time
• More targeted support for those at risk of poor outcome
• Opportunities for young people to volunteer, make a positive contribution and have a real voice in influencing provision

The Birmingham vision for an integrated youth support service will provide for all young people, something to do, somewhere to go and someone to talk to whilst ensuring that those who need intensive help an support will achieve positive outcomes in their lives.

VCS Matters have secured the IYSS gateway contract with Connexions to develop the necessary processes both at strategic and operational level for integrated working within the third sector.  VCS Matters' remit involves coordinating the third sector's work with IYSS and developing and managing a thematic network of third sector organisations to influence and engage with Birmingham's IYSS agenda.

This section gives further information on the background and national drivers, the situation in Birmingham, and previous VCS Matters involvement in the Connexions Voluntary Sector Forum (CVSF).  For more information contact Leonard McDonald at VCS Matters on leonardm@bvsc.org or 0121 - 678 8884.