Manchester City Council Report for Youth, Play & Participation Service (YPPS) Commissioning Grants, Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme and Youth Investment Fund (YIF)
The Committee considered a report of updates on commissioning processes under the Youth, Play and Participation Services (YPPS), Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme and Youth Investment Fund (YIF).
Increased Investment:
Over recent years, these funds have received additional investment, especially stemming from post-Covid recovery funds, and an extra £1.5 million has since been invested into youth services commission, which has resulted in additional youth services activity throughout the year and during holidays. The focus is now on funding and activity provision around half terms. The Committee questioned whether the increase in funding has seen parallel expansion of commissioners and support for newer, less established projects. Youth and Play Participation Services (YPPS) responded that where applicants for commissioning have been unsuccessful (due to lack of resourcing or experience), MCC have established a development fund to assist organisations to develop their youth working, governance etc.
Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF): provides free, daily, inclusive, enriching holiday activities across Manchester for every child to have an opportunity to participate in hyper-local activity of their choice. The programme also ensures all participants receive free hot meals and access to a broad range of activities to be provided in several settings ranging from schools to sports clubs.
In 2020, the Department of Education confirmed an additional £220m of funding for the Holiday Activity programme nationally for a period of three years. MCC has secured £4,140,240 for the year 2023/24. The funding is for targeted holiday provision at Easter, Summer and Christmas periods. The confirmation of this extended funding and the associated financial stability has enabled services to expand the offer for all children and young people across Manchester. Following successful delivery during 2022, the Council now have an established mapping system in place which allows gaps in provision to be identified and to act accordingly if further or different provision needs to be commissioned.
Youth Investment Fund:
YIF is a major capital investment programme from the Government. MCC have made seven scheme bids of up to £10.3 million combined. Grant assessments are ongoing between September and October 2023.
It was acknowledged that the services and funding failed to commission an equal distribution of services across Greater Manchester. The YPPS has pointed to strict parameters of external funding criteria and the need for short term decision making in hindering proper geographic spread of ‘ready’ applications. Following representation from an executive member for Children and Young People Services, it was acknowledged there is a need for further scrutiny of provision in the North of Manchester regarding the communities needs and the state of the voluntary sector offer. The YPPS will now embark on a strategic review of youth provision in North Manchester.