South Holland first to be Positive About Young People

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Positive About Young People (PAYP) after the council was assessed in early February.

PAYP is a new quality standard aimed at recognising an employer's commitment to young people, either already in the

workplace or as potential employees.

In partnership with Connexions (Lincolnshire and Rutland), which is now part of Lincolnshire County Council's

Children's Services, SHDC played a significant role in the design, development and implementation of PAYP, which it is

hoped will become a national standard.

Claire Burton, business consultant at South Holland District Council, managed the project.

She said: "We are really pleased to be the first organisation in the country to receive the award. We used PAYP to develop

plans to recruit and retain more young people to help with succession planning and fill areas of skills shortages."

Rob Mayall, assistant director for children's services at Lincolnshire County Council said: "The achievement of this quality standard is a testament to an immense investment of energy and innovation by SHDC.

"Young people in South Holland now have a greater awareness of opportunities in local government, have access to more

opportunities than previously, and have the chance to make a greater contribution to the organisation.

"In return SHDC is getting a more motivated, committed and stable workforce.

"PAYP is a win for young people and a win for the district council."