SYOS Annual Conference 2008

The delegates were welcomed to the day by Sharon Moore, Assistant Director, SYOS- now Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS). An opening speech was given by Chief Constable Chris Sims, Staffordshire Police. The Chief Constable discussed, amongst other things, the challenges facing Staffordshire and highlighted the positive steps that had already been taken, especially around partnership working.

Frances Done, Chair of the YJB addressed the conference crowd as the Keynote Speaker. Frances re-iterated the challenges ahead and also announced that SYOS had achieved a rating of 'Performs Excellently' on the Youth Justice Planning Framework Validation Feedback for 2008/09. This translates that the YJB have assessed that SYOS are 'A YOT partnership that meets well above the minimum standards', a great achievement for the Service!

The delegates had a chance to put some questions to Sharon Moore, Chris Sims and Frances Done. Following this the morning session was wrapped up with 6 workshops delivered to the delegates:

• Cognitive Behavioural Approaches-Paul Anthony, Staffordshire University
• Integrated Youth Support Services in Staffordshire-Alison Spender, IYSS Project Manager
• New Developments for Performance Management and Wiring Up Youth Justice (WUYJ)-Andrea Nisbet, SYOS Research and Performance Manager and Paul Donnelly, YJB
• Community Resolution-Karl Hobson, Prevention Manager and Julie Roper, Prevention Worker
• Hear By Right Participation Framework-Bill Badham & Peta Halls, National Youth Agency
• The Youth Rehabilitation Order and the Scaled Approach-Pete Ashplant, Senior Performance Advisor, YJB

During the lunch break young people from the Biddulph Drop in Centre were available for delegates to speak with about the work being done by the Service in this area. The same young people also featured in the Best Practice Showcase in the afternoon.

The Best Practice Showcase provided an opportunity for presentations from across the Service on the innovative work being carried out with young people:

• Biddulph Drop in Centre-Ruth James and Ruth Davidson, North Staffordshire YOT and young people.
• Restorative Justice-PC Steve Stackhouse, South East Staffordshire YOT and David MacDonald, General Manager, Uttoxeter Racecourse
• Sports Development-Dave Sandford, SYOS Sports Development Officer
• Intensive Fostering Programme (IFP)-Scott Crawford, IFP Progrmame Manager and a young person on the IFP
• Substance Misuse-Jo Gore, SYOS Substance Misuse Co-ordiantor and a young person
• Safer Streets-Marilyn Welsh, Safeguarding Manager at Werrington YOI

The Best Practice Showcases were very well received by the conference crowd and all of the SYOS staff strongly supported those brave enough to deliver their presentations to all. The most impact on the delegates came from hearing directly, face to face, from the young people who have benefited from working with SYOS. They have had a very difficult journey and with consistent intervention form SYOS workers they have turned a corner.

Following one of the very moving speeches from a young person the young lady paid thanks to Sharon Moore for her great drive and leadership on behalf of all at SYOS. Sharon has newly started in her role as Assistant Director of IYSS in Staffordshire. Sharon gave a heartfelt thanks to the young people and to her staff as she accepted a gift of flowers.

The final part of the Conference's programme gave an opportunity for questions to be put to the Question Time Panel. This Panel consisted of Sharon Moore and the workshop leads from earlier in the day.

Finally the day was brought to a close by Sharon Moore, thanking all for attending and also those who spoke on the day, especially the young people who were willing to share their story.

The day was very successful and well received by all. The delegates' feedback was very positive on the whole. Some specific comments were:

All Photographs by Keith Luscombe Photography