DEVON County Council is launching a public consultation on a fundamental change in its youth service provision, a decision which could have a significant effect on Crediton Youth Centre.

The council is considering moving from a universal service to a more targeted approach, aimed at early help and prevention.

It says skilled youth workers would work with social workers and other partners to identify and provide early help and support to vulnerable young people and those most at risk.

This targeted approach means the county council would no longer manage or run more traditional centre-based activities, aimed at universal support for all youngsters.

Community and voluntary groups or others with an interest will be invited to suggest alternative models or express an interest in taking over any of the council's 34 youth centres as part of the 12-week consultation.

A number of innovative proposals have already been received from community-based organisations as part of public engagement on the future of the service which began in October.

The proposed changes are a response to the recent critical Ofsted report of the County's children's services, together with the budget pressures being faced by all Councils.

114 STAFF

The youth service currently costs £3.7 million a year and employs 114 full-time-equivalent (FTE) staff.

The county council has to save £110 million from its spending by 2017 and has consistently warned that all services would come under the spotlight.

It must provide a number of services by law and whilst the youth service is not a statutory service, the council is keen to find alternative delivery partners to secure a sustainable future.

Many county councils around the country have already moved from universal provision to targeted services and these proposals, if adopted, will bring Devon into line with many neighbouring and comparable authorities.

Public consultation started on February 3 and there will be community events around the county, along with face-to-face meetings with young people who currently use the service.

Local people and voluntary organisations, who already run local clubs or work with young people will be invited to these meetings.

SIGNIFICANT SHIFT

Devon's Cabinet member with responsibility for the youth service, Will Mumford, explained: "These proposals envisage a significant shift from open access, universal facilities to targeted support for those most in need.

"We've already had a number of meetings with young people, our staff and voluntary and community groups to talk about how we might proceed.

"We would now welcome approaches from anyone to develop alternative proposals.

"We will be particularly keen to work with local communities during the consultation to develop a new 'offer' for young people for which the county council might be able to provide some initial support.

"We would also be happy to discuss with our staff the possibility of forming a staff mutual or social enterprise to take on local youth provision.

The public consultation closes on April 27.

ST LAWRENCE HOME AND CHAMBERS DAY CENTRE

In addition, DCC is also consulting on future adult day service provision after a significant reduction in the numbers of older people attending Devon County Council day centres.

This includes the Chambers Day Centre at Market Street, Crediton and there is also concern about the future provision of St Lawrence Residential Care Home, Crediton.

The council says that there will be no reduction in support to people at day care centres and that everyone eligible for a service will receive it. However, it adds that it has seen a 66 per cent drop in the numbers of people attending its day centres since 2005.

It believes more people are choosing to pursue other hobbies and interests during the day, or attend activities such as memory cafes or luncheon clubs in preference to attending council day centres.

And, increasingly, more and more people are using their direct payments and personal budgets from the council to pay for the services they want.

It says that many council-run day centres are running well under capacity and the people who use them say that the council needs to modernise.

The council has to save £110 million over the next four years because of cuts in Government funding.

It has been talking to older people and users of its day services, carers and private and voluntary sector care providers, to independently review the service.

Centre by centre, it has considered current capacity, likely future demand, condition of any buildings and the service's ability to meet rising care standards and the potential for the building to be used for additional council services.

The council has also looked at the wide range of private and voluntary sector day services operating in the same locations, and identified their capacities to take on more placements.

PRIVATE SECTOR

PROVISION

As a result, the council wants to use more private and voluntary sector provision in future, and have fewer of its own centres.

Proposals include reducing council day centres from 35 to nine, merging six day services into three centres and using private provision in place of 26 centres.

The council's cabinet member responsible for adult social care, Cllr Stuart Barker, says that there will be no change to people's entitlement and that everyone eligible for council support will continue to receive it.

"We are not reducing or cutting support to people with eligible needs," he stressed.

"Everyone eligible will receive support, whether they've arranged it themselves with their Direct Payment, or whether they choose to attend a day centre. The question is about whether we continue providing day services in our day centres, or whether we make more use of the many excellent private and voluntary sector day services that are located near ours.

"With centre costs rising with fewer people attending, we must be realistic."

With proposals identified, the council consultation has begun with day service users, staff and stakeholders. Comments will help the council reach a decision in the spring.

The council is also considering transferring care provision, such as that available at St Lawrence Residential Care Home, Crediton, to the private sector.

Funding is again the issue and where the council pays private care homes on average £433 a week for a care bed, its own homes cost on average £970 per bed per week.

To find out more about the proposals and to respond to the consultation, visit: http://www.toughchoices.co.uk">www.toughchoices.co.uk .

CONCERNED

Crediton County Councillor Nick Way, told the Courier: "I think many of us are already concerned about the cuts Devon County Council are proposing.

"They will be 'life changing' for some people.

"Obviously, in many ways, they are 'a cut too far'.

"My group (Lib Dem) on Devon County Council will be proposing an alternative budget to try and do our best to save services.

"With regard to our Youth Centre, it is very well used. Last week our youth worker said 80 youngsters had used the centre.

"I am very concerned that DCC is not spelling out what resources will be available to prospective future delivery partners.

"It will be very difficult for our young people and the adults who attend the Chambers Centre.

"Not only for them, it will be difficult for their families as well.

"I can also understand why people are cynical of Devon County Council as it will be considering all these things about cuts at its budget meeting on February 20, despite the fact that the consultation does not end until after that.

"Obviously the decisions will have already been made by the council."

• What do you think about the Devon County Council proposals which could have an effect on Crediton Youth Centre, St Lawrence Residential Care Home and the Chambers Day Care Centre? Will it affect you or your family?

Email a letter, for consideration for publication, to: [email protected]">[email protected] .