After six weeks in post as the new Chief Officer of Young Solutions I am very excited about the challenges ahead and have received a very positive welcome from Staff, Trustees, Partners and Members alike. Having commissioned and worked with Young Solutions (and its predecessor Worcestershire Council for Voluntary Youth Services) for many years it is a privilege to now lead the organisation.

In my first few weeks of my tenure I have been familiarising myself with the processes that make the organisation tick and picking up issues that have arisen since I started. One of the key projects that we are currently delivering for the Police and Crime Commissioner around Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) has needed my full attention as Debbie Roberts who has been co-ordinating the project brilliantly over the last few months has now left for a new life in the USA resulting in capacity issues that needed resolving. Due to the strong support team and development plan Debbie had put in place we have launched Taxi Driver Training in Redditch in January with 200 drivers attending the first four courses. This training will be rolled out across Worcestershire over the next few months. In addition the CSE training is being delivered to hoteliers and bed and breakfast establishments across the County and West Mercia in 2018.

Whilst getting involved in our projects as outlined, I have also been looking at the organisation’s future direction and been meeting strategic leaders across Worcestershire to discuss how Young Solutions can play a major part in Children and Young People’s services throughout the County.

As a membership organisation I am particularly interested in garnering the views of our membership and will be looking to visit as many members as possible over the next few months. If anyone reading this article would like me to attend any specific events or activities then I will do my best to do so.

As I said earlier I am very grateful that I am inheriting a strong and vibrant organisation that has been so ably led by Phil Street over the past seven years. Phil has been a colleague of mine over many years and although he is still working for Young Solutions (leading our Seek and Reach Project two days a week until the end of March 2018) his are big shoes to fill.

With over 30 years’ experience of working in Worcestershire in the Voluntary and Public Sector and am very confident that I can move the organisation forward positively in 2018. I am already looking at new funding and new activity streams for 2018/19 to enable Young Solutions to thrive over the coming months and years. Though the financial climate may feel a little bleak I have been heartened by the potential opportunities that are available and I am very positive that we will be able to raise the additional funds needed.

In conclusion can I specifically thank Cat, Jo and Marg in the Young Solutions team for their immediate support since I arrived and to all staff delivering our current projects and I look forward to serving our membership and trustees in a positive manner in 2018 and beyond.

Contact 

Pete Sugg, Chief Officer

Email: pete@youngsolutions.org.uk

Mobile: 07595 099 861