Issue - meetings

Activities of the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY)

Meeting: 31/10/2017 - Children's Select Committee (Item 62)

62 Activities of the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY)

The Committee will receive an update on the activities of the WAY presented by James Wilkins, Children’s & Young People’s representative.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The committee received a report by Judy Edwards, Senior Commissioning Officer, which provided an update on the activities of the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY).

 

WAY has met twice since the last report. One meeting was joint with the Youth Safeguarding Board (YSB) on 20 September, the other was an online meeting on 17 October.

 

At the joint meeting with the YSB, members discussed the function of both groups and engaged in discussions on child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse; it was felt that both issues are best supported through Personal, Social, Health and Economic education. Members also discussed concerns relating to safeguarding and public transport, including travel by taxi.

 

It was heard that WAY members had worked hard to engage secondary schools in Make Your Mark, the UK’s largest youth consultation. Over 7,000 of Wiltshire’s 11-18 year olds took part in 2017.

 

The top five issues as identified in Wiltshire were:

1.    Mental health

2.    Protect LGBT+ people

3.    Transport

4.    A curriculum to prepare us for life

5.    First Aid education for all young people

 

The national results yielded the following:

1.    A curriculum to prepare us for life

2.    Transport

3.    Work experience hubs

4.    Votes at 16

5.    Protect LGBT+ people

 

The top five national issues will be debated by young people in the House of Commons on 10th November, which will include the three Members Youth Parliament for Wiltshire.

 

Members asked why LGBT was so high on Wiltshire’s list, and asked whether it was a more prevalent issue in some schools that others. It was noted that this result could be broken down into the schools it featured highest in, and could be investigated.

 

Resolved

 

To note the update from the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY).