§ 10. Valerie Davey (Bristol, West)If she will make a statement on the Connexions service for young people. [6696]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Mr. Ivan Lewis)ConneXions is already helping young people in 15 areas of the country. It will be available across England by 2003. Early surveys of young people helped by personal advisers show that they feel ConneXions has made a real difference to their prospects.
§ Valerie DaveyPrevious organisations that have set out to help this age group have only been good in part; that is to say, it depended on which part of the country young 406 people lived in. Can the Minister assure the House that, as ConneXions is extended through the country, the quality of the advisers, who are key to improving opportunities for young people, will be maintained at the highest standard?
§ Mr. LewisMy hon. Friend makes a good point. The success of ConneXions will depend ultimately on the quality and training of the front-line staff. That is why we have introduced the diploma specifically for ConneXions advisers and why, in all the guidance and support we give to partnerships as they roll out, we emphasise the importance of high-quality training. We will build on the expertise and the specialisms that some of the advisers will bring from their existing professions, whether those are social work, youth work or the careers service. We will build on that expertise and develop those skills to ensure that young people have access to a new and high-quality range of support that makes a difference to their participation and attainment within the education system.