What Estyn Said About Wrexham Youth Service

Excerpts from Estyn's Inspection Report on Wrexham Youth Service February 2003

• Many young people of different abilities and from different backgrounds show enhanced self-esteem and a growing maturity in their relationships with their peers and with adults as a result of taking part in special projects and traditional youth centre activities.

• All young people develop useful skills, learn to make choices and influence events in their communities through their involvement with the four local youth fora and the Wrexham youth forum.

• A small group of young people become more aware of the quality of provision through taking an active part in the service's self-assessment process.

• Many young people gain formal accreditation for their achievements through a number of routes that include the ASDAN Youth Achievement Awards and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

• The quality of youth work is good overall and very good in specialist project work. Youth workers offer specialist guidance, and support, consult with young people and encourage participation.

• All youth workers develop good relationships with young people and encourage them to develop respect and sensitivity to the needs of others.

• The countywide youth forum and local fora give all young people who are involved, opportunities to discuss their ideas and take part in decision-making.

• An innovative service initiative involves local young people in the appointment of their own part-time youth workers.

• The management of staff training is good.

• There is very good provision of information services. Specialist projects provide very effective arrangements for providing guidance and support for young people.

• Attendance at both youth centres and targeted provision is good, and equality of opportunity is reflected in the daily working practice of the service.

• There are many examples of young people taking an active role in their communities with practical and tangible results. These examples have helped to change attitudes of young people and the wider community and to promote positive images of young people in Wrexham.