Training Routes Across Cumbria (TRAC)Youth work in Cumbria is somewhat unique in that it is managed by a multi-sector partnership, under the guidance and accountability of the County Council, and mainly delivered by volunteer organisations and the Connexions service. This came about when, in 2001, Cumbria County Council (CCC) decided to disband its Youth Service in hopes that decentralisation would provide more locally appropriate facilities managed by CCC Local Committees and delivered by local organisations. To some extent, this worked well, but a failed OFSTED report in 2004 forced a rethink of the service, particularly with new legislation like Every Child Matters about to take effect. The County Council acting by establishing a new organisation – Youth Work in Cumbria Partnership – with joint representation from the Council, Connexions and the Voluntary Sector. They also commissioned Cumbria Youth Alliance to both devise a training programme for youth workers (TRAC – Training Routes Across Cumbria), to manage the delivery of this training and also to establish a TRAC Steering Group to oversee the programme. However, within a year it was clear that not everything was working as it should. With over 100 different voluntary organisations delivering youth services spread over six district authority areas, the management of a programme to set standards and improve service delivery was clearly going to be a challenge. The first task was to ensure that adequate and relevant training was being offered to youth workers to improve their skills and ability to work with young people. This was a contract held by Cumbria Youth Alliance (CYA), who also sat on the TRAC Steering Group. Porter Brown Solutions implemented a process of engagement with key individuals to untangle the confusion that had grown over the management and the delivery of the TRAC programme. Firstly, we helped to redefine the role of the Steering Group. It became clear that the first priority was to improve the delivery and spread of the training. This required focused contract and project management, not strategic networks and training theory. Once this was established and agreed, it was possible to move the Steering Group into its appropriate strategic role while allowing CYA to get on with contract management. We then made recommendations about separating the individual training courses from the concept – in other words, Training Routes Across Cumbria as an aspiration, not a specific training course. Finally, we identified capacity in individual organisations that help with the development and advocacy of the training. The result for TRAC, as it might be for any multi-organisational programme covering large areas, was to agree the common objectives that rose above local complexities and local organisational needs and agendas. “Porter Brown Solutions helped us to unpick what had become
a very complex model of delivery. They assisted us in identifying
our achievements as well as highlighting areas for improvement.
We have moved on with clarity and consensus and this has not only
enabled us to plan more strategically but our service providers
are accessing more appropriate and timely training.”
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