Introduction to Lambeth Youth Council
Background
In 2002 it was widely recognised that the voices of young people in Lambeth were not being heard to their full extent- even though there were more than enough young people willing to give their views.
Due to this, Lambeth Youth Council was born. Lambeth Youth Council is an award winning youth leadership and engagement project. It allows young people to make a difference in their lives and those of others in the borough through training and empowerment.
The Youth Council allows young people to give their views on issues affecting them and their community and also gives them the resources to act on their ideas.
As a local decision making body, the Youth Council must comply with national programmes, such as Every Child Matters. This means that the council must listen and reflect on the views of children and young people in relation to the services it provides.
Lambeth's Youth Council is an excellent way for the council to communicate with young people. In turn, the Youth Council actively participate in shaping council policy and service delivery.
Our vision
The Lambeth Youth Council is run by young people for young people, and exists to:
- Highlight issues of concern to young people in Lambeth
- Allow young people to influence and help shape policies that affect them
- Make a difference by initiating special projects
- Train young people to make a positive effect in their communities
The values and objectives of the Youth Council are aligned to the council’s objectives. These are:
- To promote community leadership
- To improve governance for young people – creating links with councillors
- To improve links with young people and local decision making bodies
The Youth Council's has a set of principles that they work from. They are:
Service improvements: The Youth Council has a positive focus. Youth Council members do not complain, but make reasonable recommendations for service improvements.
Active citizenship: Young people are at the heart of change. They are actively involved in driving through improvements themselves.
Durability: The aim is always to make long-lasting service improvements, rather than one-off publicity stunts.
Youth-led: All projects are totally youth-led, with staff acting as guiders, advisors and facilitators. Youth Council members are encouraged to attend all meetings –from discussions with heads of service to review meetings with funders and Lambeth Youth Council general meetings.
Quality: The Youth Council has become known for excellence – for creating thoughtfully developed action plans and for delivering to agreed targets, always meeting expectations.
Representing and serving a wider community: Youth Council members know that they do not hold positions of power, but that they are there to serve a wider community of young people, and to make Lambeth a better place.
What others say about the Youth Council
The Department for Education and Skills, the National Children’s Bureau, the British Youth Council, South Bank University, the Institute of Public Policy and Research, the Metropolitan Police Authority, the European Service- Learning Association and Youth Service America have also recognised the excellent work that the Youth Council has achieved.
"The council prides itself on the efforts taken to consult with young people through the Youth Council."
Annual Performance Assessment, Lambeth Council's Education and Children’s Social Care Services 2005
The council's annual Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA) and Ofsted inspectors have commended the youth council project as a model of good practice.
The Youth Council plays an important role as the youth voice in the borough. It continues to develop meaningful and long lasting structures that encourage youth involvement in democracy.
For these reasons, Lambeth is a leader of best practice in the area of youth participation.