Achievement/Attainment of Black Boys

Work to improve the attainment of Black African and Black Caribbean boys continues to be a focus in the capital. 

Young London Matters supports this by working to develop the capacity of voluntary and community sector organisations who work with this vulnerable group.

Background

Strand 3a of the YLM programme was set up to address the issue of Black boys’ educational underperformance in London through developing the capacity of the voluntary sector. The voluntary sector is well placed to reach marginalised young people, often because they know their communities and have already established trust. However, the voluntary sector faces a number of challenges in relation to engaging with commissioners of services. Black-led VCS organisations identify this as a particular problem. Strand 3a was set up to strengthen the capacity of small Black-led organisations which work to improve the outcomes of Black boys in London.

The YLM strand 3a project was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 was completed in March 2008 and achieved the development of key outputs. These were piloted under phase 2 which was completed in March 2009. Project achievement are summarised below.

GOL and the YLM team would like to express their sincere gratitude to all those who were involved in the project. We are grateful to the small VCS organisations who gave up their valuable time to participate in the project, and to the lead consultants who delivered results under challenging circumstances.


Aims and Objectives

The aim of the YLM 3a project was to strengthen VCS organisations’ capacity through:

• the development of a Quality Standards Framework (QSF). The framework would provide a means to assure commissioners that the VCS organisations had robust systems and processes in place, and would provide commissioners and commissioned organisations with a framework for measuring the value and impact of services being delivered by VCS organisations
• bringing together a black-led consortium to develop a Consortium Framework for partnership working. The framework would enable organisations to work together to provide packages of support and services tailored to meet the requirements of service commissioners
• establishing a pan-London practitioners network of BME VCS organisations working with Black boys which would support the consortium
• development of a directory of BME VCS organisations working with Black boys in London to support the network and consortium.

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YLM 3a Project Phase 1

Outputs delivered under phase 1 were informed by engagement with the 5BA (Borough Alliance) authorities, VCS organisations and other partners and based on extensive research into existing practice.
Phase 1 delivered:
• a draft QSF comprising of a Self Assessment Framework (SAF) and Performance Management Framework (PMF) for measuring the impact of services delivered;
• consortium development guidelines to support the development of a consortium framework by a 5BA Consortia Steering Group;
• a business development proposal for the network; and
• a template for directory.

YLM 3a Project Phase 2

Outputs from phase 1 were piloted and developed further during phase 2 of the project. Key activities included:
• the piloting of the QSF with black-led VCS organisations
• development of a Consortium Framework by 5BA Consortia Steering Group
• consultation on proposals for the establishment of a network
• production and dissemination of directory of BME organisations.

YLM 3a Quality Standard Framework

The pilot proved to be a valuable experience for the organisations involved. The most valuable element of the project was the direct support provided by the consultant to assist organisations to prepare for external accreditation. Feedback on the QSF from VCS organizations who participated in the project was positive. However, the YLM QSF will not undergo further development because there are established frameworks which meet the needs of commissioners, and because of the very significant long term investment needed to establish a new quality mark.

The YLM QSF can be downloaded and provides a useful self assessment tool which will help organisations prepare for quality marks. See HERE and also the Quality Marks Map HERE

A number of local community and voluntary sector umbrella groups also provide information and support on quality frameworks. Organisations are encouraged to contact local groups for further information and support.

For more useful information and guidance. 

Quality mark info from Charities Evaluation Service - First steps in Quality 

Consortium Development

Ten Black-led VCS organisations came together to form the 5BA Consortia Steering Group (CSG) with the aim of developing a consortium framework for Black-led VCS organizations working to improve the outcomes of Black boys. The journey made by the CSG and the framework for running a 5BA consortia is captured in the ‘Towards Black led Consortia’ report.

For more information on consortia and joint working arrangements

NCVO- Joint Working Agreements
NCVO- Joint Working for Public Service Delivery
Office of the Third Sector- Consortia Guidelines
Charities Evaluation Service - First Steps in Quality

Network

Feedback from stakeholders, including existing BME networks, suggests that the stated aims and objectives for a YLM 3a Network could be accommodated through the existing regional networks infrastructure. Proposals on taking this forward are under consideration.

Directory

The YLM directory was produced by ContinYOU and disseminated at a CLG regional roadshow at the end of March. Whilst this directory is not comprehensive, it does provides a snapshot of VCS organisations working to improve the attainment of Black boys.

VCS organisations are also encouraged to ensure that their details are registered with their local authority directory of services to children and families and to consider registering their organisations with relevant Pan London and sub regional networks.


Regional and sub regional networks

MiNet 
East London CVS Network 
South London CVS Partnership 
Croydon BME Forum 
West London Voluntary Sector BMER Forum 
North London CVS partnership 

Next Steps

Proposals on taking forward the stated aims and objectives of the YLM 3a Network and support aimed at the establishment of the consortium are dependent on funding being secured.

Government’s Response

The government remains committed to improving outcomes of all vulnerable groups. The Reach programme, led by Communities and Local Government, is aimed at raising the aspirations, attainment and achievement of Black boys and Black men. GOL is part of CLG’s Reach VCS Working Group which is taking forward the Reach reports recommendation on supporting the development of Consortia for Black led VCS organisations.

In July 2009, an update report on the progress to date in delivering the REACH recommendations was published. The report looks at the five recommendations of the REACH report into raising the aspirations and attainment of Black boys and young Black men. Guidance for small or new voluntary and community organisations was also published in July. The guide aims to tell you about the different ways of working with other organisations, where you can go for advice, and how you can improve the way you work.