The Young Inspectors project in Blackburn with Darwen has been developed to enable young people to have a voice. The project gives them the opportunity to inspect services they use and give critical and constructive feedback.
Councillor Julie Gunn, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
"Thank you to all of our young people who have contributed to this framework and to everyone who is going to give up their time to offer their expertise, recommendations and advice as Young Inspectors. At Blackburn with Darwen, we are very lucky to have such committed young people who share our view that the voice of children and young people is at the heart of everything that we do. And also Congratulations to the Earcroft Centre, keep up the brilliant work that you do!"
The inspection team for Earcroft Centre consisted of three young people with the support of YPS staff. The findings of the inspection were carried out against six standards, to come to an overall conclusion:
- Accessibility and environment
- Publicity
- Quality of provision
- Staff, training, skills, attitudes and values
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Involvement of young people and users
Earcroft centre is the base for some of the Early Help team. The centre works hand in hand with the Blackburn with Darwen Family Hubs and provides a seamless, non-intrusive service to families.
The centre also has strong partnership working with our 0 to 19 health ELHT services. Other professionals use the space to undertake direct work with children including revive, health visitors and social workers. Meetings also take place including Family group conference meetings, core groups and family time sessions. Offering a welcoming non-threatening space to children and families.
Strategic Director of Children’s Services and Education, Jo Siddle said:
"Our young people are supported and trained to inspect the services they access and receive. They tell us and our partners exactly what they think, what we are good at and where we need to improve. Young people are at the centre of our decision making and it is important that we listen to them and adapt our services to meet their needs I am exceptionally grateful to all our young inspectors who give their time and commitment to ensure BwD deliver the best services possible. Well done to Earcroft Centre!"
The Young Inspectors’ investigation into the Earcroft centre reveals a highly effective and supportive environment for children, young people and their families. The centre demonstrates excellence across various standards, including the quality of provision, accessibility, staff training, and the involvement of children and young people.
The report concluded:
The quality of provision at Earcroft is exceptional, with the centre catering to the diverse needs of children and adolescents from ages 0 to 19. The Investors in People accreditation highlights the centre’s commitment to high standards and staff development. The variety of facilities, combined with a warm and welcoming environment, ensures that young people have access to engaging activities and tailored support. The dedication of the staff, who maintain relatability by staying current with youth trends and creating personalised plans, further enhances the service quality. The structured framework for planning and evaluation ensures that young people’s voices are integral to the centre’s operations, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment among them.
The involvement of young people is central to the centre’s operations, with numerous opportunities for them to voice their opinions and influence decision-making processes. The staff’s professional yet personal approach fosters an environment of trust and openness, contributing to positive outcomes for the young people served.
Blackburn with Darwen Youth MP 2024, Zainab Shah said:
"The Young Inspectors is a project that equips young people with the skills and knowledge to be able to inspect services that they and their peers access. It empowers them with the ability to inspect and provide feedback on where they think a service can be improved or where they have been doing well. Inspecting key areas such as involvement of young people, quality of provision, accessibility and many more crucial areas. It ensures other young people can feel confident in a service they access having the stamp of approval from their peers."
The BwD Young Inspectors are a team of trained local young people; their aim is to ensure that youth-based organisations and services are driven by young people, as well as enabling young people to have the influence of helping to develop and improve the organisations and services they access and receive.
If you’d like a visit from the BwD Young Inspectors contact Liz by email to elizabeth.clarkson@blackburn.gov.uk