§ Charles HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines are given to Connexions partnerships designed to allow national voluntary and community sector organisations to work efficiently with all partnerships. [161086]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Department for Education and Skills has, in consultation with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), developed a range of guidance for Connexions Partnerships on working with the VCS.
In addition a limited amount of funding has been given to 88 national voluntary youth organisations to help them build capacity to effectively engage with Connexions.
§ Charles HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the progress Connexions partnerships have made towards the targets set out in Youth Support Services for 13 to 19 year olds: A Vision for 2006 in(a) providing a vibrant high quality youth service, (b) making many more young people active citizens, (c) engaging many more young people in developmental activities and (d) ensuring that parents, carers and teachers are supportive of Connexions. [161098]
§ Margaret HodgeConnexions partnerships are working successfully to meet "Youth Support Services for 13 to 19 year olds: A Vision for 2006". Of the 13 Connexions partnerships on which Ofsted has so far reported, one was judged very good, eight good, one satisfactory and three unsatisfactory. Youth services have made encouraging progress in implementing the Transforming Youth Work modernisation programme. Connexions partnerships are actively involving young people in the governance, design, delivery and evaluation of the Connexions Service; and in promoting active citizenship and personal development through Millennium Volunteers, the Neighbourhood Support Fund and activity-based programmes. The Connexions Customer Satisfaction Survey shows that 91 per cent. of respondents were very or fairly satisfied with the service. Connexions Personal Advisers are working with young people to engage parents, carers and teachers, supported by a guidance leaflet.