By April 2008 Ministers expect all local authorities to have taken responsibility to deliver services presently funded by the Connexions grant. Government Offices are working with local authorities to ensure that the plans and preparations are well placed to:
- help ensure that services to young people will be maintained
- help ensure that there is planned development of services and an effective transition plan; and
- ensure that there is progress towards integrating youth support services
What is Connexions?
Connexions Partnerships provide advice and support for young people on issues including:
- education
- training
- careers
- personal development
Connexions targets resources at those young people with particular needs, including:
- teenagers with mental health problems
- those with physical disabilities
- young people with learning disabilities
- young people from families re-locating frequently
- those from ethnic minorities
Personal advisers are available to help these young people tackle issues like these.
Many special projects that engage with disaffected young people over 16 with an aim of returning them to mainstream employment, education or training, have been commissioned. Young people at the local level are involved in the design and delivery of the service to ensure that it meets their needs.