Council chiefs, senior police officers, MPs, business people and schools were among those who got involved to help give young people an insight into the world of work and what it is like to make key decisions on Friday last week (12 Nov).
Within County Hall at Lewes a group of 10 young people from across the county were involved in “taking over” the roles of various County Council officers and teams as part of the event, including that of Director of Children's Services, Matt Dunkley.
The event also saw a number of young people get involved with various other County Council teams and tasks. These included taking over the planning of a youth club activity, developing an information service for pupils from Peacehaven Community School with assistance from the council's Family Information Service, and pupils from Seaford Head Community College took part in the planning and consultation process for the new Seaford library.
Takeover Day is a national event organised by Children's Commissioner for England and aims to give children and young people the chance to try out lots of different jobs, get involved in discussing issues and making key decisions.
Two young people from Tideway School spent the day shadowing Matt Dunkley and got a better idea of what it is like to be ultimately responsible for the education, protection and welfare of all children in East Sussex.
Lissy, 14, said: “Spending the day with Mr Dunkley has really been a good experience. It's certainly given me a much better understanding of the job he has to do. Some of the difficult decisions he has to make, and the responsibility he has.”
15-year-old Nathan also enjoyed the day working with the Director. He added: “I have learned a lot from Takeover Day with Matt Dunkley and the really hard job he has. It has been a really amazing experience working with people who are making big decisions that affect us.”
There were numerous other Takeover Day activities for young people outside of the County Council. Local MPs Amber Rudd, Norman Baker and Greg Barker all played host to young people, and a pupil from Bexhill High School shadowed the chief executive of 1066 Business Enterprise.
Senior officers at Sussex Police were very involved in the event and the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Deborah Bedford, was also shadowed by two pupils from Ringmer Community College. A student also worked alongside the health co-ordinator at the new Hastings Youth Hub.
Elsewhere young people took part in Takeover Day events organised by Xtrax Youth Centre in Hastings, Rother District Council, Activate Youth Club in Hastings, the All Sorts LGBT Group, and Ninfield Parish Council.
At Helenswood School, St Leonard's Primary School, Elphinstone Primary School, Guestling Bradshaw Primary School, and Hollington Primary School pupils got the chance to “takeover” various teaching and staff roles.
Cllr Meg Stroude, the County Council's Lead Member for Children and Families said: “I am really delighted so many young people got the chance to be involved in this year's Takeover Day and I'm really grateful to all those organisations and individuals who took part.
“I'm sure the young people will have found it very interesting to get a better understanding of how decisions are made and what leadership is all about. But I think the adults involved will also have gained some fresh insight and ideas from the young people they worked with.”
Reference:
3034
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