SETTING UP AND RUNNING A YOUTH GROUP.

QUESTIONS TO RESEARCH THOROUGHLY

WHAT IS THERE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AREA?
WHY DO YOU FEEL A YOUTH CLUB IS NEEDED?
DO THE YOUNG PEOPLE WANT A YOUTH CLUB?
HAS THERE BEEN A YOUTH GROUP THERE BEFORE?
WHY DID IT CLOSE?
WHAT AGES ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND HOW MANY OF THEM ARE THERE?
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE YOUTH CLUB?
DO YOU HAVE THE SKILLS TO MEET THEIR NEEDS?
WHAT SKILLS CAN YOU SHARE?
WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL STRENGTHS?

The answers to questions 1-10

The answers to these will vary according to the individual people asked and areas surveyed. However, this research will give a foundation on which to begin to plan a group’s direction. Every youth group has its own identity.

11. DO YOU KNOW HOW TO ACCESS SUITABLE TRAINING?

Suitable training can be accessed through several channels

The Area Youth Service Office in the Local Authority generally provides youth work training courses and information. (North Lincs. Tel 01724 297214)
The local safeguarding children's board (LSCB) provide courses Tel. 01724 298239 for details.
Voluntary Action North Lincs. offer help in establishing groups. (Tel.01724 845155) Training opportunities are included in their newsletters.
Many churches have diocesan youth workers and in house training.
“Children and Young People Now” publishes a training guide available on www.cypnowmagazine.com

12. WHAT TYPE OF YOUTH GROUP WOULD YOU LIKE?

13. DOES THIS MATCH WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S IDEAS?

14. WILL A COMPROMISE BE NEEDED? WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?

THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 12 – 14 WILL VARY, THEY ARE PUT IN TO ENSURE THAT ANY PROVISION MEETS THE REAL NEED OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AREA. IT ALSO ENCOURAGES WORKERS TO CONSIDER THEIR “AGENDA”

15. HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO SUPPORT THE GROUP?

To support the youth group it is important to have a strong group of adult helpers backed by a sound management committee that meets regularly.
Communications must be clear to ensure efficient club operation
Everyone’s roles should be clearly defined to enable people to be most effective.

16. IS THERE ENOUGH COMMITTED ADULT HELP?

A minimum of 3 adult helpers should be present for all club meetings to ensure safe operation. Premises may need larger numbers depending on the club layout and other factors Rota staff to share the workload. Plan ahead, to match helpers to the programme content.

17. DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LAWS IN RELATION TO WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE?

The Area Youth Service Office or Voluntary Action will be able to guide you on this issue.
A Child Protection policy is essential, as is training around your responsibility see Working together to safeguard children March 2010 chapter 4.

18. WHAT INSURANCE WILL BE NEEDED?

Public liability insurance is essential. This can be obtained through affiliation to various National Youth Associations, or through local specialist insurance brokers.
Further information is available through the Area Youth Service Office or Voluntary Action.
Personal Accident insurance should be seriously considered for volunteers, and members.

19. HOW WILL VOLUNTEERS BE RECRUITED SELECTED AND CHECKED?

Voluntary Action can supply guidelines on the recruitment of volunteers. Volunteers can apply to be checked through the Criminal Records Bureau. Guidelines and training on Child Protection procedures can be accessed through the LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children's Board) through Voluntary Action or safe network www.safenetwork.org.uk
Be vigilant. You have a duty to protect young people who you are working with.

20. WHAT CLUB RULES WILL YOU HAVE?

Rules need to be simple and clear.
Respect for self, other people and their beliefs.
Respect for property. Expand on these to cover violence, bullying, vandalism, alcohol, smoking,etc.

21. WHO WILL SET THE RULES?

Rules are there to protect the club members and the workers, both parties should be consulted on the rules.
A membership application form to include name, address, date of birth and an emergency contact number are useful details to include.
You may include a statement that includes a behavioural contract that you ask both staff and members to sign.
The youth club committee reserve the right to suspend any member whose behaviour breaches the club rules.

22. WHO WILL DECIDE ON DISCIPLINE?

A discipline procedure should be agreed between workers and members.
Short term bans are usually effective. Use as * in section 21.

23. HOW WILL YOU PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN A GOOD CLUB IMAGE?

A youth club with a good community image is what you should aim for. Quality youth work is about guiding young people in developing into well balanced mature individuals. It is about working with young people to raise their aspirations, increasing their self esteem, and supporting them in reaching their ambitions.
Poor media images don’t help their cause, so you have a role here in promoting the positives that are achieved by doing quality work with young people.
Examples of this may include leaving the venue quietly; ensuring litter goes in bins, getting involved in local community fetes, carnivals etc. Use the management committee to build bridge between youth club and wider community.

24. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE?

The committee is there to manage, give support, and as a sounding board.

Chairperson Chairs meetings

Communicates with workers, and other committee members

Sets agenda with secretary

Bank account signatory

Secretary Carries out routine administration tasks

Notifies people about meetings, agendas, etc.

Receives club mail, circulates information.

Bank account signatory

Treasurer Keeps club finances in order. Account signatory.

Apart from these three, it is advisable to have several other committee members, who have knowledge of the club. A young person friendly parish councillor can be a useful committee member. Also senior youth club members can benefit from being involved.

25. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND DIVERSITY

An equal opportunities framework is essential in work with young people, as it ensures that they have equality, fair treatment and access to opportunities. It is important that we help young people to recognise that we are part of a divers community, which is made up of many races, creeds and cultures, and help them to appreciate the values of this. Equal opportunities is about not being judgemental, and ensures that you treat other people as you would choose to be treated. There are many training courses available to ensure that workers are able to adopt good practice.

26. HOW CAN A GROUP BE FUNDED?

Ask for funding advice from Voluntary Action
Organise fund raising events
Request help from the local council
Contact the Integrated Youth Support Service about voluntary sector grants.
Grants are often available to support projects in specific areas.

27. WHEN AND WHERE SHOULD THE GROUP MEET?

The venue needs to be accessible, safe, structurally sound, and suitable to accommodate the group.
The meeting time will be determined by the needs of the group, the availability of helpers, and the venue.
Suggestion that you open for two to three hours, allowing time for preparation and clearing away.

28. WHAT RECORDS WILL YOU NEED TO KEEP?

Membership details
A register for session attendance (In case of fire etc.)
Insurance Certificate
Accident book. Always complete in event of an accident, and have it signed by 2 people.
A brief recording of each session
Evidence of club activities
Helpers and workers details, CRB checks etc.
Accounts.

29. WHO WILL PLAN THE CLUB PROGRAMME?

Initially, the programme will probably be planned by the workers, however, after a few sessions; it should be possible to involve the club members in programme planning. Try putting up a list of suggested ideas, that members can sign up to, leave space for them to put ideas forward.
Have a programme planning session, where members are encouraged to take the lead in activities that they are confident with.
Support the members in organising trips etc, let them phone for prices, make posters etc. By working in this way the young people learn lots of skills in a safe environment that they can utilise later.
Record the clubs development from the start, involve the members in this, e.g. by creating a photo album, start a club newsletter, etc.
It is important to record, so that you have evidence of the clubs development, this can then be used to inform the management committee, funders, and the wider community about the group.

30. WHERE CAN WE GET FURTHER INFORMATION?

There are helpful publications available from a wide range of sources. The area youth service office locally, can provide information and guidance. They employ peripatetic workers who may be available to give practical help until a group becomes established.
The National Youth Agency (0116 285 3700) or website www.nya.org.uk
UK YOUTH is a national organisation that youth groups can affiliate to, through local associations. Telephone: 020 724 240 45 to find out more. Or www.ukyouth.org.uk

If you are looking to set up a single interest group, e.g. an environmental group, a drama group etc. there are specialist groups who are willing to share information and good practice. This information should also be available by requesting fact sheets from the National Youth Agency.