Posted on: Thursday 23 June 2022
Torfaen's Youth Service has been awarded a Gold Quality Mark following a recent Welsh Government inspection.
It's the highest level of recognition that celebrates the support youth workers give to young people to help them reach their potential.
It comes as Torfaen Youth Service unveils a series of videos showcasing their work as part of Youth Work Week this week.
David Williams, Torfaen Youth Service Manager, said: "I am honoured to work alongside such an amazing team of youth workers who dedicate themselves, work tirelessly and commit to offering the best service we can.
"Most importantly though, this is for the young people who inspire, challenge, make us laugh and cry and allow us to do life with them, thank you, you are awesome!”
Torfaen Council's youth service works with young people aged between 11 and 25, offering both open access and targeted provision.
Over 2000 young people have accessed provisions in the past 12 months, with many going on to develop their confidence and aspirations, achieve nationally recognised qualifications, try new experiences and make lifelong friendships.
One such person is Gabbie Jolliffe from Cwmbran, who first accessed youth service provisions as a teenager, whilst also completing administration training with them.
She has since completed the Torfaen Youth Service apprenticeship programme and is now employed as a youth support worker.
“Being with the youth service has helped me so much and now I am able to give back," she said.
"I love everything about it and it has changed my life by giving me a sense of direction and an amazing group of people to work with. I love the young people I support and cannot wait to grow and learn more and more.”
The Gold Level Quality Mark is commissioned by Welsh Government through the Education Workforce Council and looks at the improving standards in the provision, practice and performance.
In a report, the assessors said they were “very impressed by the positive culture of the service, the visits presented a warm nurturing environment for staff teams and young people. There is a culture of safety, passion and care with clear pathways of accountability"
The praise follows on from a recent Estyn report, which commended the service for meeting the needs of young people in their communities and helping to raise their educational attainment.
The Gold Quality Mark stays in place for three years.
To find out more about Torfaen Youth Service, you can watch the videos here or follow @torfaenyouth on social media.