Purpose

The purpose of this report is to request the Executive Director
of Children and Learning to consider rolling over existing funding
to current voluntary sector youth organisations for further one
year to March 2026. Following a rigorous bidding process in 2022,
12 organisations were given two-year funding from April 2023 to
March 2025. Current funding to these organisations is due to end on
31st March 2025. 
 
Camden Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS) is considering
reshaping its services to meet the changing needs of young people
and to address financial challenges. As part of the reshaping
agenda, IYSS intend to consult with a large number of children,
young people and stakeholder over the next 6 months.
 
It is therefore important that any future youth work funding
specification incorporate findings from the young people and
stakeholders and caters for emerging needs of young people.
Additionally, rolling over funding for a further year will enable
IYSS to assess availability of future funding and determine ways to
address emerging needs for young people and the youth sector.
 
The grant process could take up to 6 months from engagement,
revision of service specification, launching the grant to
evaluation of bids, followed by recommendation to Directorate
Management Team (DMT) or cabinet member to make final decision on
the funding.  As per current grant conditions,
IYSS is required to give at least 3 months’ notice to current
providers prior to funding agreement coming to an
end. 
 
In addition, there is a request to contribute to funding for 4
projects who were given funding in 2023 – 24 and committed to
fund in 2024 - 25.
 
This decision is being presented to the Executive Director of
Children and Learning to consider extending current funding for one
year from 1st April 2025 till 31st of March 2026 for current
voluntary and community sector organisation (VSCO) providers and to
agree funding 4 projects as detailed on table 2 for 2024-25.

Content

THAT the Executive Director for Children and Learning in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Young People and
Culture
 

(i)            
agrees to continue youth work grant funding to current providers
for another year until 31 March 2026.

(ii)           
agrees the Council make grant payments to the current providers for
the specific amounts set out at paragraph 2.5, table 1 for the year
ending 31 March 2026

(iii)         
agrees to fund 4 projects in the 2024-25 financial year for the
specified amounts detailed on table 2.