Youth services departments in four London councils are to deliver e-learning development materials as part of a shared services agreement.

The Ypower programme is a tie-in between Croydon, Richmond, Tower Hamlets and Westminster councils, Partnership for Young London and vendor BT. It will allow each local authority to share a managed learning service and deliver personalised learning to workers.

Roger King, deputy head of youth services in Croydon, says the authority has teamed up with the other councils to increase the number of learners for the service, which is hosted by BT.

‘Local authorities and youth services are going through a huge change and the workforce needs to be kept up-to-date,’ he said. ‘This training is one way of doing it quickly and cost-effectively.’

Tata Interactive Systems’ e-learning programmes, which include safeguarding, and Common Assessment Framework, can be customised for each council and tailored for individuals.

BT and Partnership for Young London plan to make the Ypower programme available to youth services across the country.