§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to consult young people about the impact upon them of Government policies; and if he will make a statement. [142831]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Government believe it is important that young people should be consulted and involved in the development of policies and services relevant to them. The new children and young people's unit has in place plans to identify good practice at national and local level in the involvement of young people and will ensure that effective strategies are in place to encourage this to happen.
One example is where the Connexions have identified involving young people as a critical, priority area as they develop and implement the full service. The Connexions pilots are already showing evidence that this is being applied successfully. For example, in selecting people who will act as personal advisers, several pilots have consulted young people about the characteristics and competences that they would want to see and have displayed by individuals. Two pilots in particular, Coventry and Warwick and Oldham, extended this by individuals having young people contribute to the selection process. Potential candidates made a presentation to the young people and/or they sat in on the actual interviews.
Several pilots have involved young people in the design of Connexions one-stop shop facilities (eg South Central (Hampshire), Coventry and Warwick and Oldham), including the selection of colour schemes and layouts. Several have also involved young people in designing publicity and communications materials. I will be working with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary with responsibility for lifelong learning, who is responsible for Connexions, to ensure that we build on this success.