Joint Consultative Forum (Rural Focus) Thursday 22 November 2018 10.30am Magherafelt Youth Centre

Welcome and Overview Clare Duffield Director of Human Resources and Legal Services Education Authority

The Voice of Young People The Regional Assessment of Need 2018 http://video.eani.org.uk/View.aspx?id=702~3w~F3HLHW

Youth Service Rural Needs Research Update Paul Deighan Operation and Systems Advisor Education Authority

The Voice of Young People A Perspective of our Needs

Assessment of Need Regional Assessment of Need 2017 – 2020 Regional Assessment of Need Addendum 2018 Available to download from www.eani.org.uk/youth

Regional Assessment of Need Film

Gaps in information Voice and Needs of Rural Young People Voice and Needs LGBTQ Young People

Rural Needs Research Statistics

% Young People Living in Rural Areas Northern Ireland

% Young People Living in Rural Areas by Council

No. Young People Living in Rural Areas by Council

Rural Needs Research Desktop Research

Desktop Research Lower Levels of Income Higher Levels of unemployment Weakness in skills & human capital A lack of opportunities, particularly, for women and young people (European Commission)

Desktop Research Household Deprivation Opportunity Deprivation Mobility Deprivation The accumulation of these different forms of deprivation can lead to isolation and marginalisation of particular groups in rural areas, particularly young people (J.M. Shaw “Rural Deprivation and Planning”)

Rural Needs Research Key Issues

Transport Public transport links were infrequent and there was a general lack of service availability. Especially at weekends. Public transport was expensive. Lack of public transport negatively impacted on their recreational or social activities, especially in winter. Young people dependent on parents for lifts to services and activities. Families without access to a car were particularly disadvantaged. Cycling and walking to activities or events was considered to be dangerous as roads were narrow and footpaths not always available

Social Isolation Common complaint of having nothing to do. Social isolation was linked to poor transport and digital technology access. Many mentioned boredom as an issue and the perpetual feeling of loneliness. Very few specifically mentioned mental health as an issue, however youth workers stated that the lack of anything to do and the sense of loneliness did have a negative mental health impact on the more vulnerable young people.

Services The majority of young people noted that sporting clubs and activities were available to them and provided a valuable social outlet. Youth Services where they were available were praised for the activities and programmes they provided. However, in most cases young people complained that they were only available for a limited time during the week and never at the weekend. Female respondents noted that there were no opportunities to participate in cultural activities and noted that the sporting clubs were geared more for boys. Accessing services and activities in towns was not an option to many as transport links rendered them inaccessible.

Broadband Lack of infrastructure and access to digital technology, inadequate broadband and mobile telephone coverage. This could impact on their education as young people were unable to send homework, access coursework or other online educational resources and materials. Lack of choice in service provider and inability to access offers which others living in town could access. Unable to communicate with friends via social media, play interactive online games or download music and films which others took for granted. Perception of a digital divide and that nothing was being done about making access in rural areas better.

Anti-Social Behaviour The lack of having nothing to do had some young people to become involved in some aspects of anti-social behaviour and risk taking behaviour. This was not prevalent everywhere but where it occurred involved some the following: Underage drinking. Drug taking. Underage driving.

Driving Digital Transformation Colm Daly Digital Transformation Manager Education Authority (Presentation attached as a separate pdf)

Standardisation of Parental Payments Gary Scullion Transport Manager Education Authority

Home to School Transport Standardisation of Parental Payments Gary Scullion – Transport Manager

EA Transport Mainstream Transport Assistance Awarded (74,675) The Education Authority provide transport assistance for approximately 89,000 eligible pupils in accordance with the Department of Education Circular 1996/41 – School Transport (2009). Mainstream Transport Assistance Awarded (74,675) Translink Passes (46,065) EA Buses (20,026) Private Operator Buses (4,508) Parental Allowances (4,013) Other – Strangford Ferry, Rathlin Ferry (63)

DE Circular 1996/41 ‘5.1 Transport assistance for eligible pupils can be provided by a variety of means including the issue of sessional tickets (commonly referred to as ‘bus passes’) for public transport, the operation of the Education Authority vehicles, the hire of buses or taxis and the payment of bicycle or car allowances.’ ‘5.4 Where a Board is constrained in its response, that is, where it cannot provide a service that meets the aims of paragraph 5.2 and or paragraph 5.3 within the constraints of paragraph 5.1, then Boards may offer parents an allowance in lieu of transport and in such cases responsibility for the journey then rests with the parent.’

Difference in Approach Different daily rates used to calculate payments; Payments calculated on the basis of different total number of school days; Payments made at different times of the year; and Payments paid in different circumstances i.e. in lieu of Translink pass.

The Case for Change Developing a single consistent approach Delivering best value for money Provide a fair and equitable scheme for rural residents / pupils

Key Principles of the New Scheme The basis for the calculation of payments will no longer be linked to the cost of a Translink pass. Payments will be made in relation to the distance a pupil lives from the school. Payments will only be awarded when -no other home to school transport options are available OR - where there are legitimate reasons why a pupil is unable to use the existing transport network. In recognition of the greater distance some pupils have to travel to and from school in rural areas; Payments will be banded to reflect the increased travelling costs per distance travelled.   Underpin the Authority’s preference for pupils to travel to and from school on the existing school transport network The total cost of the new scheme will not exceed the total cost of the previous schemes operated by the ELB’s and will make a contribution to the Authority’s need to make continued efficiencies, thereby ensure the Schemes sustainability.

Calculation of Payments Public Transport Rate – 25.7pence per mile 180 days > average number of operational days = £46.26 per mile / per year Payments are considered a contribution to transport costs EA are not in a position to award exact running costs for each individual application. The first 2 miles (Primary) and 3 miles (Post Primary) are generally considered to be Parental Responsibility

Mileage Bands

Impact on the Rural Community

Impact on the Rural Community Approximately 85% of payments are awarded to pupils considered to live in a rural setting Mileage Bands – offer the most funding to those that need it most Sustainability of the Public Transport Network Sustainability of Schools Process for Exceptional Cases

Consultation Consultation remains open until Friday 30 November 2018 https://www.eani.org.uk/publications/consultations/consultation-on- the-standardisation-of-parental-payments Feedback so far….

Children’s Law Centre and Panel Discussion Chair Kathryn Stevenson Children’s Law Centre and Joint Chair of the JCF

Head of Equality and Human Rights Concluding Remarks Matthew McDermott Head of Equality and Human Rights Education Authority