Youth Forum

Terms of Reference

Role

To provide young people with the opportunity to express their views, make changes in their community and take responsibility for decisions that affect their lives.

Purpose

To be democratic
Young people are not just representing themselves but providing a voice for young people's thoughts on issues locally
To have access to power
It has to create and maintain good links with decision makers in local and national government
To act on issues that are important to young people and to work at its own pace

Ground rules

Taking account that everyone is different, but equal and that tolerance, mutual respect and open mindedness are vitally important
Respect other people
Everyone to be treated equally
Respect others opinions
Don't make fun of others
Allow people to voice their own opinions
Listen to others views
Don't interrupt
Get involved/participate
Cooperate
Give others encouragement
Don't be afraid to express you views
Be yourself
Be polite/no foul language
Don't eat or drink in the chambers
Mobile phones to be switched off during meetings
Enjoy it!

Structure

A Sub group structure focusing on areas important to the youth forum members:

Crime and safety
Education
Health
Leisure
Youth facilities
Equalities
Environment

New sub groups can be established or changed as required.

Membership

New members/school representatives to be elected in October every year
2 male and 2 female representatives to be elected from each secondary school from years 9, 10 and 11, 12 and 13
Young people aged 13 to 19 years who are harder to reach, are to be recruited (without formal elections) from police checked organisations
There is no limit to the number of times someone can be elected
The forum is to have no more than 60 representatives each year

Election process

Nominations to be submitted to Head Teachers/youth group organisers the 3rd week of September
Schools have a voting day to elect representatives (beginning of October, on a date to be determined)
Youth group organisations to elect representatives either formally or informally (beginning of October)
Launch with first full forum meeting in local democracy week (mid October)

Chair

Full forum

Each full forum meeting will be chaired by different forum members by request.

With the support of youth workers responsibilities include:

Chairing full forum meetings
Agreeing agenda items for the full forum meetings
Encouraging participation from members
Supporting administrative processes
Mentoring new members

Sub groups

Each sub group elects a chair each year.

With the support of youth workers responsibilities include:

Leading sub groups and reporting to the full forum
Encouraging participation from sub group members
Mentoring new members

Meetings

Full forum

The full forum will meet every 8 weeks (6 times a year) in accordance with the agreed programme of meetings
Unless stated otherwise, meetings will be held alternatively at Barking Town Hall and The Civic Centre Dagenham (5-7pm)
The first meeting of each forum year will be held within local democracy week (mid October)
An induction day will be held in October/November to help new members get to know each other and makes plans for the year
A day meeting/social event will be held at the end of each forum year (July)

Refreshments

Refreshments will be provided at all meetings

Attendance

All members must advise youth workers in advance, if they are unable to attend a sub group or full forum meeting.

Officer support

The responsibilities of the Youth Support Development Youth worker include the following:

Coordinate the Youth Forum
Actively seek representation on the Forum from a wide range of young people within the borough
Assist young people who have difficulties participating in the Forum
Facilitate young people to make their own decisions and press for changes they identify
Act as an advocate for the Forum and establish links with other youth and community programs
Challenge, stimulate and support youth forum members
Support the election process
Promote the Youth Forum

The responsibilities of the Democratic Services Officer include the following:

Provide secretarial support (arrange meetings, prepare letters, agendas, minutes, reports etc)
Act as an advocate for the Forum and interface with all parts of the council to establish links
Challenge, stimulate and support youth forum members
Support the election process
Promote the Youth Forum

Councillors

Promote the Youth Forum and generate wide support for young people's involvement in local politics and decisions
Promote/champion the issues raised at the Forum, in the Assembly and other council decision making meetings