The Company

Connexions Cumbria provides information; advice, guidance and personal development support to all young all people aged 13-19 and up to the age of 25 for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Our Vision

Helping young people as they turn their dreams into reality

Our Values

Integrity, respect, inclusion

Our Purpose

To make a difference and find solutions for young people so they can take control of their lives and overcome barriers to achieve success. To provide an inclusive support service for all young people that meets individual needs, advocates on their behalf, raises their aspirations, encourages and challenges them to develop and learn throughout their lives.

• We continue to make further investment in training and development and attracting additional funding to develop the business and the service we can offer to young people.
• Established in 2001, Connexions Cumbria has increased the number of people in its workforce working directly with young people by 50%
• The increased workforce has been possible by attracting additional contracts worth over £3 million, an increase in turnover of over 40%
• Established practice of ‘growing’ own workforce through provision of development opportunities
• Ensuring young people are at the heart of recruitment and selection by sitting in on interview panels to help recruit Connexions Cumbria staff. To ensure they are equipped to do this all young people are fully trained in our recruitment and selection processes.
• We have achieved excellent results in reducing the number of young people who are not in Education Employment or Training (NEET). Since 2002 the percentage of young people in NEET has been reduced by almost 40%.  During this period Connexions Cumbria has placed 42,000 young people into EET.
• We have consistently obtained excellent satisfaction rates form young people. Since 2001 young people’s feedback on the services they receive from Connexions Cumbria has been above 95% either satisfied or very satisfied.

The results in these areas place us within the highest performing companies nationally.

Our aspirations for young people have been extended to our workforce, who provides a first class service for young people in Cumbria. Investing in staff training and development provides young people with access to fully trained, professional staff helping them make the right choices in life.

We have had external recognition for our investment in learning and development

• We are one of only two organisations in Cumbria who have received the NYA Quality Mark National Award.  Connexions Cumbria received the highest mark possible in the inspection.
• The Cumbria JAR mock inspection in 2006 found that "Connexions has a high profile and is well respected and has made a significant contribution to partnership working"
• Our IIP report 2006 concluded that 'the assessor was satisfied beyond any doubt that Connexions Cumbria Ltd meets the requirements of the IIP standard'
• Connexions Cumbria has been awarded 'The Workforce Development Award' as part of the Children and Young Peoples Service Awards sponsored by Young people Now. The Award is for ‘the biggest contribution to boosting recruitment to or the status of work with children or young people through training, improved working conditions or structures, innovative marketing or other activity.’
• The Matrix quality standard for information advice and guidance services recognised that staff delivering the service are highly experienced, professional and competent which helps to ensure clients receive a high and consistent standard of service across the County. They went on to say that the Service provides a positive human resource environment ensuring staff are well trained and have ample opportunity for personal development ensuring they have up to date skills for dealing with the wide range of clients.

Investment in Training and Development is a key focus in our business planning; ensuring staff are well trained and equipped to offer the best possible service. Our success in helping young people speaks for itself and for this reason we believe our success should be recognised.

Mark Bowman

Chief Executive