LGIU – Action Learning Set – Social Networking and Participation

Last friday (24th April) i attended the LGIU (Local Government Information Unit) action learning set. I was asked to speak for about 30 minutes on our experiences in Devon and in particular the strategic perspective as opposed to a detailed practitioner level (otherwise Katie would should have gone)

I had planned to blog sooner about the day but it provided some excellent ideas about how social networking can provide a bridge between individual and group engagement. But i still need to think more about this as well as touch base again with Tim Davies who was facilitating the Action Learning Set and Bill Badham from the National Youth Agency.

The session was made up of various people from a youth focused background to a corporate background, so it provided a good mix and balance for discussions.

Tim had asked me to try and focus on where this fit into the wider picture but also practical approaches to taking this forward within local councils, so that is what i tried to do within the 30 minutes.

My slides are here

and i also used the video of my Chief Executive again as it is becoming more and more relevant and more powerful the more i watch it and use it.

The most interesting and more important link that you can make if you are looking to move forward in this area is to link it into the Hear By Right Framework. There is huge potential to at least get wider strategic support for this type of activity if you connect with your colleague in the  youth service and children and young people’s directorates and help make those connections.

I am planning on writing a blog post about how i see the wider framework for the way my councils works in these spaces over the next week or so.

The eSynergy Blog – Katie Bacon

Katie Bacon works in my council as a youth participation worker. She has done some amazing work using social media tools for youth participation and she has created a website to share her experiences and resources  – check it out.

• The eSynergy Blog – Katie Bacon.

Society Guardian – People Power

I received a call earlier this morning from Katie Bacon, who informed me that there was a section in today’s Guardian “People Power” which contained an article about using social networking platforms for Youth Participation and Katie was of course mentioned (Well done Katie). However the whole pull out contained a wide range of interesting articles about Social Media,  Engagement, Participation and Social Cohesion.

I have since searched online but have not yet found the online versions. But if you are interested in this area of work and you can get a copy of today’s Guardian or even just get to read the People Power section I’d recommend it.

Progress report – SNS participation

The following update has been produced by Katie Bacon, Youth Participation Worker here at Devon County Council.

Current group established on profile

• Don’t judge us before you know us!
• Young Parents Group
• Get UR Voice Heard – Website development

Feedback:
Young people whom have become friends to Youth Participation Team have been e-mailed with introduction e-mail which explains the terms and conditions of the acceptable behaviour, confidentiality and data protection.

Young people who only in Devon are accept as a friend. Currently we are not accepting friend requests from young people not in ‘live’ contact with Youth Participation Team.

Majority of the young people have joined relevant group, however, their participation/contribution on topics/issues has been low. I consider this due to lack of creativity on my part and the need to utilise visual/audio tools to promote discussion/contribution. There maybe the issue that young people do not consider the issue relevant, this will need to be clarified with the groups.

Future Plans:

• Review terms of conditions/data protection/confidentiality/safeguarding- DCC regulations?
• Utilise creative application tools to promote discussion/debate
• Instigate discussion through different stimulus;
  • e-mail
  • group discussion
  • visual tools
  • live on-line debate (on profile/group wall)
  • vote
  • blogging
  • integration of website-utilising guidance notes
• Regular up date profile with feedback/news of ‘live’ projects/meetings/events
• Demonstrate how yp involvement has instigated change – up load videos/e-mails

Friend requests; clarification from management regarding acceptance of friend requests from young people not in contact with team – peer network.

Future group on profile:

Young people group; opportunity for elected young person to meet with local young person.

Evidence practice: record of each e-mail/wall contribution on the profile.

Evaluation: Invite friends to express/rate their views on the approaches/techniques adopted, suggestions on improvement and any criticism for continued learning and development.