The Barnet Children's Partnership Board met on 13 July 2022 to discuss youth engagement initiatives, sustainability efforts, and the wellbeing of young people in the borough. Key discussions included the My Say Matters strategy, the results of the Young People's Perception Survey, and the challenges faced in supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Youth Parliament, Youth Ambassadors, and My Say Matters

The meeting began with an update on the Youth Parliament and Youth Ambassador elections, which saw a record turnout despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. Young people involved in these initiatives will be supported through residential events to prepare them for their roles.

The My Say Matters strategy, aimed at increasing youth participation in council services, was presented with the support of youth ambassadors. The strategy's launch has generated significant momentum, leading to projects such as scriptwriting sessions for young people's involvement in council meetings. Youth ambassadors raised concerns about knife crime and mental health, advocating for age-appropriate education in schools and requesting support for their campaigns. The Board noted that a Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board was being formed and that the involvement of young people would be essential in creating its charter. Other partners highlighted existing initiatives like Art Against Knives and StreetDoctors that address these issues. An Instagram post will be created to share the points raised during the discussion.

Sustainability

Rob Paul, Sustainability Lead for Barnet, provided an update on the council's sustainability programme. He outlined the borough's net-zero targets, with an ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 as an organisation and by 2042 for the borough. The presentation detailed Barnet's carbon baseline, highlighting that housing and the built environment are the largest sources of emissions. Engagement with stakeholders, including young people, revealed a strong view that sustainability is important and that the council needs to go further. Young people specifically raised concerns about the built environment, transport safety, green skills, and proposed a library of things to reduce consumption. The council plans to develop a citizens' assembly to further inform its strategy.

Young People's Perception Survey

A representative from ORS presented the findings of the Young People's Perception Survey 2021/22. The survey indicated a generally positive direction of travel across most perception measures, with young people expressing high levels of satisfaction with Barnet as a place to live and as a family-friendly borough. Satisfaction with council services, particularly parks and activities for teenagers, has improved. However, the survey also highlighted concerns about crime, with knife crime remaining a top safety concern, although its prominence has decreased. Mental health was identified as a key priority, with a significant proportion of young people expressing a desire to talk to someone if feeling depressed or anxious, though males and older teenagers were less likely to do so. The analysis also revealed disparities based on deprivation, constituency, ethnicity, and disability, with those in more deprived areas and those with disabilities reporting lower satisfaction with services and greater concerns. Some members noted that certain findings, particularly regarding mental health, appeared to be at odds with other data and suggested further investigation through focus groups.

Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers

Kate Jeffery, Head of Service for Corporate Parenting, provided an update on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) in Barnet. She explained that Barnet has seen an increase in UASC, particularly those who were initially assessed as adults by the Home Office but claimed to be children. These young people often face significant uncertainty and anxiety due to lengthy asylum claim processing times, impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The council provides support through a dedicated UASC team, the Virtual School, and clinical services. The report highlighted the financial burden on the council due to the increased number of UASC and the challenges associated with age assessments and legal challenges. The Board noted the pressures on local authorities and the need for greater collaboration and advocacy with central government.

Forward Work Programme

The Board noted the Forward Work Programme for 2022/2023, which includes planned deep dives into various topics and ongoing engagement with young people and partners.

The meeting concluded with the noting of the list of abbreviations and the absence of any other urgent business.