Young Commissioners

Would you or someone you know like to become a Young Commissioner? A key area where young people can make a real difference is decision making and by giving young people a voice and an opportunity to shape our services following the Choose Kindness initiative. By listening to childrens and young peoples voice our offer will improve. The Young Commissioner programme will help support the City of Doncaster's vision, and ensure young people get involved.

The Young Commissioner Programme

Involving young people in decision making is vital, therefore our Young Commissioners programme was developed, which enables children and young people to be actively involved in all aspects of the commissioning process, following the commissioning cycle.

Young Commissioners, next steps

Would you like to be a Young Commissioner, or know someone who would? Please let us know, our team is here to support.

Training is available and when completed, young people are introduced to the Participation and Engagement team, at this point they are invited to attend training where appropriate and very much like the Youth Council, sit within their team as a bank of young people ready to take on commissioning duties. When an opportunity arises, the Participation team are contacted and they will in turn facilitate the Young Commissioners engagement in the requested task. This may involve for example moderation, consultation or interviews.

Our Young Commissioners are supported throughout their volunteering and supported to develop within this role. Regular communication with school is also undertaken, as not to impact on the young persons education.

Background

Following a successful pilot project back in 2021, a group of young people were trained initially, 4 of which became Young Advisers. One was successful in gaining a Shine Award and another was successful in recognition within the Free Press regarding an award he won through a nomination from school for his continued contribution. We have also trained young people from Parents Voice with additional needs who could support with Short Break moderation and young people within alternative provision.

Our current Young Commissioners continue to be involved in the Holiday and Food Programme (HAF) process following the commissioning cycle. Check out their video below to find out more about what they did:

Recruitment

We also follow a locality based model for this initiative and aim to have a pool of Young Commissioners in all localities within the City of Doncaster. We will work closely with schools to recruit and involve Young Commissioners with any projects or work that we are asked to be involved in.

Process

Once we have recruited the young people, promoted the role and supported them through an initial training programme, young people then are ready to confidently engage further.  All young people involved have a good understanding of the role by utilising our progress book and learning aids, and are continually supported by the team to join the Young Commissioners bank of volunteers. The Youth Council will also hold two seats for Young Commissioners to link into their priorities; this will again ensure a joined up approach. There is a request for service form attached, please download this and complete if a Young Commissioner is needed for your service, and send back to YourVoice@doncaster.gov.uk 

Training

The training package has been greatly condensed to fit easily within a day; this can now be completed within approximately 3 to 4 hours. Further information is down-loadable. The main areas the young people will be trained on would be the commissioning cycle, social value, procurement including how to score an application. 

Impact

Once recruited and trained, the Young Commissioners have a real opportunity to shape future service provision and in addition gain essential skills, insight and confidence as a result of being involved in the programme. In particular the Young Commissioners will:
  • Ensure that the voice of children/young people is heard and acted upon at meetings, including board meetings.
  • Provide a service users perspective, including having input in making the decision on which organisations will be awarded contracts/grants and play a valuable ongoing role by attending regular meetings with key staff to share findings and to allow the Young Commissioners to discuss and contribute actively to those findings including quality assurance of services and designing of new services.
  • To ensure our providers follow the City of Doncaster's Choose Kindness initiative.

Contact for general information and enquiries:

Do you know any young people who would like to become a volunteer Young Commissioner? Do you require a Young Commissioner to support with your project? Does your service need to become more youth friendly? Contact: YourVoice@doncaster.gov.uk youngcommissioners@doncaster.gov.uk 

 

 

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Last updated: 06 November 2024 10:38:54

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