Immediate: 16 August, 2005
National Recognition for Positive Steps Oldham
The Government’s Green Paper on the future of services for teenagers has identified Positive Steps Oldham, the local multi-agency charity, as an example of how best to deliver integrated services for young people.
Positive Steps Oldham delivers the Borough’s Connexions, Youth Offending, young people’s substance misuse services and teenage pregnancy strategy from the Connexions Centre on Union Street. It also provides equality, health and work experience services for young people.
PSO was one of only three organisations in the whole of the North West to be cited as an example in “Youth Matters”, the Youth Green paper, in which the Government set out its plans for the future of services for teenagers in this country.
“Youth Matters” offers a new strategy for providing opportunities, challenge and support to young people. One of the key principles of the strategy is to see services integrated around young people’s needs – an approach pioneered in Oldham over recent years.
Tim Mitchell, Chief Executive of Positive Steps Oldham, explained the approach: “We are delighted that the Government has recognised the importance of adopting an integrated approach to young people’s services. This is something that we have been championing here in Oldham for some time.
“Our aim is to enable young people to fulfil their potential and make a successful transition to adult life. We help them to do this by addressing any of the barriers they may have in their way. Because factors such as health and crime are often interrelated we provide a “one-stop-shop” where young people can get the support they need.”
This is not the first time that Positive Steps Oldham has been held up as an example of good practice. It was also cited last year, in the Audit Commission’s report on youth justice, as an exemplar of inter-agency, co-located working.
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For further information, please contact Andy Swain, Marketing and Information Manager, on 0161 621 9321.
