All

 

The Canterbury Academy has successfully managed the KCC Youth Commission Service for many years. This has only been possible because we have a great team of staff and volunteers who have developed and implemented a wide range of provisions and holiday sessions. So well done and give yourself a pat on the back!

 

Our current contract was extended until March 2024 with much rumour on how services may be delivered going forward. In the mix are the creation of Family Hubs and the reduction in the KCC buildings portfolio. This has particular impact on our offering in Canterbury as we are currently using one of the designated hub spaces, that being the Riverside Youth Centre.

 

At the Cabinet meeting last week, it was announced there is to be a public consultation on the family hubs starting 19th July and going through to 22nd September. It has also come to light that the buildings consultation will now be delayed in line with the family hub consultation with both outcomes being announced during November this year.

 

At the all members meeting on Tuesday this week it was announced that KCC intend to continue to provide youth services using existing in-house youth provision. All commissioned services (subject to consultation) are likely to end at the end of the current period (March 31st).

  

We have been aware of this possible outcome for some time and have been looking at how the Canterbury Academy might continue to support young people across our district, something the Trust passionately believes in and wishes to continue.

 

I am sure you can appreciate there is a lot to go through with this announcement and it raises many questions.

 

We believe there may be the opportunity for staff through The Undertaking (Protection of Employment) regulations ( TUPE ) to move across to KCC and maintain current hours. We do know that KCC are consulting with their HR team around this matter. Once we know more, we will share.

 

The Trust are supportive of the creation of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to support a youth provision across our district. We are currently putting this together and will update you on how this will look and function. We hope the CIO will enable us to work more closely with current and future partners and raise funding that currently as an educational establishment we are unable to access.

 

Be assured we will be open on the process and information as we get it. If you wish to discuss anything or share concerns or have questions relating to this situation or you personally, please talk to either me or Adam. We will endeavour to do our best in informing you, sign posting you or find answers.

 

We have an open forum with our counter parts across the county and have had some discussions around a collective approach to challenging this decision. Once the details of the consultation are known we strongly encourage you to have all our young people and their families take part in the consultation.

 

Whilst this will be a period of uncertainty, we ask that we remain focused, delivering the best service possible for the young people of our district.

 

Kind regards

 

 

Andy & Adam