Youth Centre Funding - Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook - City of Swan

3.1 YOUTH CENTRE FUNDING - ELLENBROOK AND BULLSBROOK

Ward: Pearce Ward (Community and Place) Disclosure of Interest: Nil Authorised Officer: (Executive Manager Community Wellbeing)

KEY ISSUES

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Council approved the inclusion of $310,000 in the 2021/2022 budget to maintain

operations for the Ellenbrook Youth Service, until the State Government released

their `at risk' youth services tenders. The State Governments 'Youth At Risk'

funding is not currently available for the Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook areas.

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The State Government advised in April 2021 that all services currently receiving

'Youth At Risk' funding will be extended from 1 July 2021 for three years plus a

one year option. There has not been any new funding offered for youth services

for either the Ellenbrook or Bullsbrook Youth Centres.

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The City has been advocating to address the shortfall of State Government

funding for City youth services for a number of years.

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Construction of the new Ellenbrook Youth Centre is due to start in January 2022,

with completion in March 2023. The State Government committed $1.8M towards

the construction cost, Lotterywest contributed $2,055.054, and $2M was

contributed by the City which includes $550,000 from Ellenbrook Management

Pty Ltd via the Ellenbrook Community Advisory Group.

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The City has again written to the State Government seeking confirmation that

they will contribute operational funding for the new Ellenbrook Youth Centre. The

new Youth Centre requires operational funding to deliver services from the

current and future new Ellenbrook Youth Centre.

It is recommended that Council resolve to:

1. Note the potential options for future funding of Youth Services.

2. Approve the addition of $310,000 to the draft budgets for 2022-2025 to maintain the youth services operating within Ellenbrook Youth Centre.

3. Endorse option two allowing for additional budget to support operational funding of the Ellenbrook Youth Centre in the draft budgets for 2022-2025.

4. Endorse the proposal to continue to amend the draft budgets for 2022-2025, to maintain youth services operating from the Bullsbrook Youth Centre.

5. Continue to advocate the needs of local youth services to the State Government prior to the release of future tender rounds.

BACKGROUND

The City of Swan can be viewed as a young local government area, with young people representing more than 19% of the total population (ABS census, 2016). Significant growth of this cohort is anticipated, particularly in the Urban Growth Corridor, Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook, with 29% of the population in Ellenbrook being between the ages of 12 25 in 2016 and with an expected growth of 33% by 2036.

There has been an identified risk of increased mental health issues, at risk behavior and youth suicide in Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook. These needs have facilitated the development of youth services and youth partnerships within both these communities.

This initiative aligns with the adopted "City of Swan Youth Strategy", as follows:

? Develop and maintain partnerships with key youth services in the City focused on improving the health and wellbeing of young people, including early intervention.

? Provide direct service provision to young people living in the City (where no other option exists)

? Promote responsive services and increase awareness of available services.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 20 January 2021, Council resolved to:

1. Approve the inclusion of $310,000 to the 2021/2022 draft budget to maintain the youth services operating within Ellenbrook.

2. Advocate the needs of local youth services to the State Government prior to the release of future tender rounds.

The above resolution was made on the grounds that there was a continuing need for youth services based in Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook, due to the high youth population growth and that the state government were to release a tender for youth services in the coming months. Subsequent to the Council's decision, the State Government determined to extend current funded contracts by three years plus one, in April 2021.

DETAILS

The City works collaboratively with local service providers to deliver youth services and programs, and has a number of contracted youth services located within its locality. These services operate from youth centres and include:

? Swan City Youth Service

? Altone Youth Service (Youth Futures WA)

? Stratton Youth Centre

? Dungeon Youth Centre

? The Cool Room (City of Swan managed)

? The Bullseye (City of Swan managed)

These youth centres provide a range of services to young people aged between 12 and 17. This may include recreational activities, drop-in sessions, counselling, alternative education and/or referral services. The youth services above (except for those managed by the City) rely upon State Government funding to operate with a range of other funding sources. The City provides these youth services with ongoing financial support (up to $44k per year) aligned to service level agreements and use of City facilities. The City operates the two youth centres in Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook. The City has been seeking funding from the State Government to operationally fund these centres in the same way they support other youth centres in the City.

The Department of Communities has been reviewing the 'Youth At Risk' funding and in April 2021, the City was advised that all services receiving 'Youth At Risk' funding from the Department of Communities (DoC) would be extended from 1 July 2021 for three years plus a one year option. The DoC also confirmed that this will be funded at existing funding levels with no increases, although the State Government did announce a $15 million funding boost for all community service contracts as a one-off payment. The City has communicated to the DoC that it would like to see an increase in existing funding due to the construction of a new youth centre in Ellenbrook, and the increased needs in this region. The response from the DoC was that there will be no new State funding.

Advocacy in this space undertaken by the City has emphasised the importance of the 'Youth At Risk' funding and the critical need for this to be made available in Ellenbrook. To-date the City has not received a response to its correspondence from the State Government. Further, the City has raised this matter with the Member for Swan Hills, who has advised that she will continue to raise this matter with the State Government.

The Youth Centre is scheduled to be completed in March 2023. This facility will not only service the Ellenbrook community, but with the development of Metronet into Ellenbrook, the railway line will draw clients from the expanding population in the Urban Growth corridor and beyond. It appears likely that the State Government will not commit to funding for Ellenbrook as they have extended current agreements until June 2025. Therefore, there appears to be three options for this service:

Option 1 ? Direct Service Delivery in 2022/23

The City could continue to fund youth service staffing and program costs until June 2023 (one year extension to current funding), and youth services would operate from the Cool Room Youth Centre using existing resource levels (up to $310,000/year. Staffing and programs would relocate to the new youth centre, but resourcing levels would limit the programs available. This is due to the new youth centre having a larger floor space which requires additional staffing.

The benefits of this option is the continuity of service delivery for another year whilst the new Youth Centre is being built. City staff will be able to engage with young people on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are continuing to participate in a range of positive activities, but also remain engaged in the processes of the building of the new youth centre. However, given the State Government's position on funding will not change until 2025, Council will need to revisit the arrangement again for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.

Option 2 ? Direct Service Delivery until June 2025

The City could continue to fund youth service staffing and program costs until June 2025 to align to the State Governments funding schedule. This would use existing resources up to $310,000/year, plus consumer price index increases that are used to operate the services currently. In addition, the City would reallocate current budgets allocated for youth mental health projects ($26,000), youth activities projects ($24,000) and youth centre program budget ($50,000 previously for the Police and Community Youth Club mobile program). The additional funding would allow for an increase in staffing and program costs for both Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook, ensuring at least one extra drop-in session a week at each youth centre.

The benefits of this option is that continuity of service would be guaranteed for a longer term and would allow for alignment to State funding. The Youth Development team would be able to transition the young people from the Cool Room facility to the brand new building; maintaining relationships, developing programs and implementing procedures which will ensure the smooth operations of the centre. This longer term commitment will also provide some stability in staffing arrangements, as previous and current contracts are fixed term for 12 months, which has led to a higher turnover of staff.

In addition the reallocation of funds is effective use of budget to meet the growing needs of young people within the Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook communities. Current service levels are stretched and young people and the wider community have frequently fed back that they would like to see an increase in Youth Service provision in these areas to improve community outcomes.

This is the recommended option. It will provide stability of service in line with current State Government funding, and would not place the City at risk of providing a grant agreement over a long period, until after determining any future support from State Government. In addition, it would be very difficult to get a not for profit organisation to run Bullsbrook Youth Services, as the funding is such a small amount and there are no suitable Not For Profits operating in the area.

Option 3 ? Conditional Grant process

It would be difficult to implement a grant process within the timeframe to ensure youth services continue from 1 July 2022. Historically, the City has not been able to find a suitable service provider who can/will operate from Ellenbrook. In addition, the current funding amount may not be sufficient for a not-for-profit organisation to deliver services to current levels. The City would need to review the funding amount with external youth agencies who have previously advised that they are struggling to operate within funding levels that do not account for an increase in staffing costs. Undertaking a review of funding levels and then a grant process would mean a break in youth service provision in 2022. As with option two, given the State Government's position on funding will not change until 2025, Council will need to revisit the arrangement again for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.

Youth Centre Operations

The construction of the new Youth Centre has been a long term project, and the City has worked hard to ensure that young people have been involved and consulted in the planning and decision-making processes. The programs offered are based upon identified needs and feedback, using a participatory approach where young people are encouraged to be actively involved in program planning and delivery.

The City has a number of specific procedures and guidelines in place to ensure that young people have access to a professional and safe service. City staff deliver high quality programs which meet the identified needs of young people and contribute to their personal development; helping them to become positive members of their local community. Staff are responsive to the needs of young people and the community and are able to be flexible in their delivery.

Direct service delivery by the City ensures high level of professional practice through rigorous recruitment and selection, and ongoing supervision of staff. Establishing the operations of the youth centre with young people and offering regular programs following many years of operating from the Cool Room will provide some consistency for young people as they transition into a new facility.

The three options presented to Council require the City to commit to funding the operations of the Ellenbrook and Bullsbrook youth centres, and await the tender announcements from State Government in the future. There is no guarantee of any future State Government funding towards the operational costs. The operation of the Cool Room is staffed by a Senior Youth & Community Project Officer, two Youth Activity Officers, Casual Staff and support from the Youth Development Officer ? Ellenbrook.

The City also operates a youth service within the Ethel Warren Community Centre called the Bullseye Youth Centre. The youth centre has grown in popularity and is now a key service within the community. Since opening in July 2017 with approximately 15 young people per session, over 50 young people attended in 2021. During this time, over 400 individual young people have attended the Youth Centre. The operation of the Bullseye Youth Centre is staffed by the Senior Youth & Community Project Officer and two youth workers from the casual pool, under the direction of the Youth Development Officer - Rural.

CONSULTATION

Department of Communities

ATTACHMENTS

Nil

STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS

S.2.1 - Build service delivery options to meet the future needs of aged, youth, families and children B.1.1 - Create community places to live, relax and work B.2 - Infrastructure that meets community need

STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS

Nil

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The total budget for Ellenbrook (Coolroom Youth Centre) includes (2021/22):

ITEM Salaries Ordinary Salaries Casual Accrued salary Super Salary Workers Comp Program Costs Internal Services TOTAL

BUDGET ($) 136,250 30,450 20,500 19,950 7,100 55,900 39,850 310,000

In addition to the above, if Council resolve to support the reallocation of existing budget from youth mental health projects budget ($26,000), youth activities projects budget ($24,000) and youth centre program budget ($50,000), another $100,000 will be available per year for the youth centres (2022 - 2025).

VOTING REQUIREMENTS

Simple majority

RECOMMENDATION

That the Council resolve to:

1) Note the potential options for future funding of Youth Services.

2) Approve the addition of $310,000 to the draft budgets for 2022-2025 to maintain the youth services operating within Ellenbrook Youth Centre.

3) Endorse option two allowing for additional budget to support operational funding of the Ellenbrook Youth Centre in the draft budgets for 2022-2025.

4) Endorse the proposal to continue to amend the draft budgets for 2022-2025, to maintain youth services operating from the Bullsbrook Youth Centre.

5) Continue to advocate the needs of local youth services to the State Government prior to the release of future tender rounds.

MOTION that the Council resolve to:

1) Note the potential options for future funding of Youth Services.

2) Approve the addition of $310,000 to the draft budget for 2022-2023 to maintain the youth services operating within Ellenbrook Youth Centre.

3) Endorse Option Two allowing for additional budget to support operational funding of the Ellenbrook Youth Centre in the draft budget for 2022-2023.

4) Continue to advocate as a priority the needs of local youth services to the State Government.

(Cr Bowman ? Cr Jones)

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY TO:

1) Note the potential options for future funding of Youth Services.

2) Approve the addition of $310,000 to the draft budget for 2022-2023 to maintain the youth services operating within Ellenbrook Youth Centre.

3) Endorse Option Two allowing for additional budget to support operational funding of the Ellenbrook Youth Centre in the draft budget for 2022-2023.

4) Continue to advocate as a priority the needs of local youth services to the State Government.

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