You are here: YPAS - about us

About Us:

The Young Person’s Advisory Service (YPAS) has been working with children and young people in Liverpool since 1966.

We have produced a special annual report to mark our 40th anniversary that brings together our current activities and successes with our plans for the future.

To download a copy of our 2005-2007 annual report, please click on the cover image on the left. To read PDF files, you need Acrobat Reader. You can download it here:

Our Mission:

YPAS believes that all young people deserve the chance to fulfil their own potential. We are committed to supporting young people aged 10 to 25 years in a safe environment with a primary focus on respect and acceptance.

YPAS values every young person as a unique individual

Our core values are based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:

• Children and young people must be protected from all forms of violence and exploitation.
• Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children and young people.
• We listen to children and young people, respect their views and respond to them directly.
• Children and young people should be supported and enabled to fulfil their potential.
• We challenge all inequalities that marginalise children and young people.

YPAS will be creative to ensure that children and young people get the support they need

Our Service Values:

• Every child and young person should have a voluntary relationship with YPAS.
• Children and young people should be given information and support to make their own choices, and have the opportunity to explore their chosen options.
• Where possible, to work in partnership with other agencies to ensure that the holistic needs are addressed appropriately.
• The core and service values include every individual involved in our organisation, together with the manner in which we interact with all external agencies.

YPAS talks with young people about the issues that matter to them

Uniqueness:

YPAS is a unique and independent charity. We believe that children and young people value our distinctive services and the manner in which we deliver them. We are passionate about the development of children and young people, and we strive to create a service that empowers and does not create dependency. Our uniqueness is summarised by the following characteristics:

YPAS is here to meet the changing needs of young people

Environment: fun, safety, warmth, confidentiality and respect. Practice: safeguarding, innovative, empowering, person-centred, unconditional positive regard and consistent. Relationships: genuine, voluntary, trusting, challenging, developmental, creative, thoughtful, non-judgemental, diverse and equal. Skills: congruence, empathy, active listening and hearing. Partnership: working with external agencies, integrated children’s services, common assessment framework, information sharing protocols, learning the lessons from Victoria Climbie.

Practice:

Our mission, values and uniqueness influence our practice. We believe in the following practices:

• Creating firm boundaries and consistent approaches.
• Developing and maintaining clear avenues of communication.
• Having transparent decision-making processes.
• Working in effective and supportive teams.
• Involving and empowering young people and all staff within the organisation.
• Valuing people, promoting respect and maintaining morale.
• An organised, professional environment with clear roles and responsibilities.
• Ensuring quality practice at all times.
• Embracing equality and diversity.
• Enabling appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Developing a clear and common ethical basis for practice.
• Regular supervision for all staff.
• Maintaining and developing safe practice, for example, safeguarding children and equality and diversity.
• Networking, partnerships and influencing external organisations.
• Recognition for our professional excellence.
• Being pro-active in the identification of the changing needs of young people.
• Developing our services to meet the changing needs of young people.
• Influencing policy development at a local, regional and national level.

back to top