Connexions Oldham
Connexions is the government’s information, advice and guidance service for all 13 – 19 year olds. Its aim is to enable all young people to fulfil their potential and make a successful transition to adult life by bringing together all the services they might need.
Young people access the service through a network of professionally-qualified Connexions Personal Advisers. There are Connexions Personal Advisers based in all of the Borough’s schools and colleges and also working in the local community. A dedicated team of Connexions Personal advisers is also available at the purpose-built Connexions Centre at Medtia Place in the centre of Oldham.
Oldham Youth Offending Service
Oldham Youth Offending Service (YOS) is a Positive Steps Oldham managed multi-agency team including representatives from Social Services, Education, Connexions, the Police, Probation and Health Services.
The main aim of the YOS is to prevent offending by children and young people aged 10 to 17 years by working with young people, their families and the victim of the offence.
Youth Inclusion Programmes (YIP)
The Youth Offending Service operates two YIP in Fitton Hill and Greenacres.
YIP are tailor-made programmes for 13-16 year olds who are engaged in crime and are identified, by a range of organisations, as being most at risk of offending, truancy or social exclusion.
The programme provides young people with a safe environment where they can learn new skills, take part in activities with others and get help with their education and careers guidance. Positive role models - the workers and volunteer mentors - help to change young people's attitudes to education and crime.
Oldham Drugs and Alcohol Action Team
Oldham Drugs and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) was set up to tackle the harm caused by the misuse of drugs and alcohol in Oldham.
The DAAT is a strategic partnership, bringing together all the organisations involved in drug and alcohol issues, in order to implement the government’s national drugs strategy in Oldham.
Oldham DAAT works very closely with Oldham Crime and Disorder Partnership and its action plan forms an integral part of Oldham's Crime Reduction Strategy.
Oldham Teenage Pregnancy Partnership
Oldham’s Teenage Pregnancy Partnership's role is to implement the government’s ten-year national teenage pregnancy strategy at a local level for Oldham by co-ordinating the work a variety of local organisations.
Oldham Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board is a multi-agency board bringing together the Local Education Authority, Primary Care Trust, Pennine Acute Trust, the voluntary sector, OMBC Housing Department and Positive Steps Oldham.
As well as having targets to significantly reduce teenage conception rates, there is also a target to increase the number of teenage parents in education, employment or training.
Education Business Links (EBL) and Employer Engagement Activities
EBL continues to be at the heart of local joint education and business activity. The unit takes a leading role in developing local links between education and small and medium businesses promoting a wide range of education business collaborative activities, supporting local economic development and regeneration.
In practical terms, EBL develops links between education and business by offering a wide range of services, including organising work experience for secondary school pupils, organising mock interviews with local employers and enabling teachers and Connexions personal advisers to benefit from placements in industry.
GERI (Gender, Equality and Race Inclusion)
Connexions Oldham is lead partner in the GERI (Gender Equality race and Inclusion) Project.
Funded by the European Social Fund Equal programme, the GERI project aims to tackle gender and ethnic stereotyping in education and career choice through national distribution of a range of products for use in a variety of educational settings.
The project has produced a suite of products including teaching packs for use in schools, an interactive theatre production, developed in Oldham, and equal opportunities training.
Health4me
Connexions Oldham provides a base for the Health4me project. This project, part of the Cottoning On initiative, aims to give young people in Oldham greater access to relevant health information.
The young people involved have produced a health website (www.health4me.org) as well as being trained as peer educators.
Highway to Opportunities (H2O)
H2O is a convenient town centre based service offering guidance, information and training to any adult in Oldham seeking to return to work. This newly refurbished Centre offers independent information and guidance to adult returners, in the fields of training, education and work.
Because adults have multiple responsibilities, the centre also offers up to date information on areas that affect back to work plans such as childcare provision, finance, job search skills, self employment options, local business support agencies and a host of other multi-media format resources.
For more information on the services offered by H2O ring 0161 621 9210
Kickstart
Kickstart is a community education project involving young people and vehicles. It was developed after public concern about local crime levels and a demand for additional/alternative youth activities. Our purpose is to develop opportunities for hard to reach young people whilst prioritising social inclusion and diversionary activities. We offer a range of accredited motor vehicle related courses for young people aged 13-16 throughout the school term, and during school holidays. Kickstart aims to have a real impact on the young people we work alongside: on their quality of life, their future prospects and their contribution to the well being of the local community.
For details of the courses offered by Kickstart visit the publications section
For more information on kicksart contact the team on 0161 621 620 4438
