Caw inspection gives mixed progress report

The report, which has just been published by the Education and Training Inspectorate, says a plan was put in place to address some of the issues addressed in September 2014, such as the need to better measure outcomes for young people attending the centre.

“The post-inspection action plan was of a good quality, and identified the actions the organisation had made, and planned to make, regarding the areas for improvement identified in the report,” the new report states.

“In addition, the staff reported that they were very satisfied with the level of support received from the Education Authority (EA),” it adds.

But staff at the centre have been hampered by a high turnover of personnel. According to the inspectors there’s been no full-time leadership for significant periods during the last year; the youth centre has reduced opening times from five nights to three nights each week; there have been significant personnel changes in the part-time staff team; a new part-time youth worker-in-charge has been appointed; and the EA has provided additional training and support for the staff of the centre, facilitated by the work of the team leader.

The inspectors did report significant improvement. For example: “The curriculum and programme of activities have improved to offer a more engaging range of experiences for the young people.

And: “For a small number of senior members there has been good progress in the development of their leadership skills.”

But in other areas work is needed.

“The attendance of the young people over the past three months is low,” it states.

“There is insufficient evidence of meaningful consultation with the young people, and the poor behaviour of a minority of them remains an area for improvement.”