Youth Engagement Scheme (YES)

Firemen with hosesUnique youth engagement scheme

Young people in Surrey Heath are being given access to a ground-breaking youth engagement scheme (YES) to encourage them to become better citizens.

The YES scheme is run by Surrey Fire and Rescue (SFRS) and aims to aid the personal development of young people and address anti-social behaviour in the community, including fire and vehicle related crime. YES is part of intervention package, which in partnership with the Youth Justice Service (YJS) and Educational Welfare Service (EWS), can last up to three months.

With support from the Partnership, around eight young people (aged 14 to 16) from Surrey Heath will attend two five-day practical programmes with firefighters during 2009/10. Referrals to the scheme can be taken from members of the Partnership's Community Incident Action Group (CIAG). Two young people from Surrey Heath were among a group of 12 to graduate from the first West Surrey course run at Farnham Fire Station in February (see News February 2009).

Hands-on exercises

During the course, young people undertake fully risk-assessed activities with firefighters including:

  • Hose running
  • Use of water jets
  • Ladder work
  • Breathing Apparatus (BA) exercises
  • RTC (road traffic collision) procedures
  • First aid
  • Consequences of fire setting and vehicle related crime

They complete exercises and tasks that will help them:

  • Have a more responsible attitude
  • Have more respect for others
  • Understand the need for rules and the consequences of breaking them
  • Understand the consequences of anti-social behaviour
  • Work co-operatively in a team
  • Develop leadership skills
  • Increase their self esteem and self-confidence
  • See the advantage of improving their own learning and performance

This can be achieved by:

  • Starting with a 'clean slate'
  • Treating all the young people equally as A* trainees unless they prove otherwise
  • Treating the young people with respect
  • Giving them suitable responsibilities
  • Building practical working relationships
  • Having high expectations of them as team players
  • Building trust and rapport with each other and with their instructors.

At their graduation, on day five, the young people give a display to parents and other invited guests, showing what they have learned and achieved. They are also presented with a certificate signed by the Chief Fire Officer to mark their achievement.

FiremenOn-going support

The course is accredited by the National Open College Network, which provides three credits towards accessing future post 16 courses, such as the Public Service course. Surrey YJS this OCN unit specifically for the YES course.

SFRS works in partnership with Surrey YJS and EWS to identify possible candidates for referrals, to 'gatekeep' suitable candidates and deliver each programme. Those selected will be invited and transported to 'taster sessions' before being considered for the full course. Up to 14 young people will be selected for each course and transport provided.

The young people will also have the opportunity to attend follow-up sessions over the weeks following course. These can include team-building exercises at Youth Development Service Outdoor Education Centres. These follow-up sessions are developed and organised by SFRS, YJS and EWS. Firefighter YES instructors attend in a support role to build on positive relationships, trust and rapport developed during the course. A representative from YJS and EWS will also attend each session.