Youth services
Every day we carry out a range of activities with young people to ensure safer, stronger and healthier communities.
Our programmes
We offer a range of programmes for young people.
Some are designed to help and educate about fire and its dangers. Some can be particularly helpful for those that have misused or shown an unhealthy interest in fire. Others are focused on vocational learning and teamwork, the development of life skills and more.
We also have a range of Fire Cadet branches that operate at different stations around our service and are a great way for young people aged 11-16 to a range of skills, develop life skills and fun activities.
Fire Cadets
Fire Cadets ( formally known as Young Firefighters Association) are uniformed cadet groups helping to develop life skills, aimed at young people aged 11 to 16 years old, based across the West Midlands.
Long-term branches tend to recruit young people at the age of 11 and work with them until they’re 16, when they either leave to further develop themselves, or take the opportunity to train as an instructor. The Cadets also run shorter programmes, usually between 12 to 20 weeks, aimed at 11 to 18-year olds.
The Fire Cadets form part of a national model in which 26 fire services across the country are working with young people.
FIRE Programme
This 30-hour FIRE programme is run by support staff and firefighters for young people who have or are at risk of offending or have shown challenging behaviour. Through high supervision, we can channel young people’s energy to achieve positive results, as well as looking at the consequences of actions, with the end view of developing alternative positive behaviours.
The course includes elements of the history of the fire service, the science of fire, as well as practical activities using hose pipes and ladders to help youngsters to learn together and support each other. It also carries with it accredited first aid and Open College Network unit qualifications.
To finish the programme, participants put on a full display of all the skills they have learned as part of a Fire Service Pass-out Parade.
To find out more please email youth.services@wmfs.net
Fire Safety Tutoring
Our tutors work closely with children aged 3 to 18 years old that have misused or shown an unhealthy interest in fire. Each case is assessed individually, and resources are available to work with a range of needs. Tutors work on a two-to-one basis either in the young person’s home, school or on a fire station.
To find out more please email youth.services@wmfs.net
Vocational Learning
Our 30-hour accredited programme is designed for young people aged 12 to 16 years old. We work with schools and locally based youth groups to give participants an understanding of life in the workplace, and the skills to assist them in life choices. Throughout their time with us they’re encouraged to think and make decisions for themselves, but also to work as part of a team.
Teamworx
Teamworx is delivered in partnership with West Midlands Police, Local Authorities and Primary Schools. The aim of the programme is to support and challenge primary school children to develop new skills, explore alternative strategies to become independent members of their community. This is a 6 week programme delivered within the school day.
To find out more about these programmes please email youth.services@wmfs.net
Other Accredited Programmes
We offer several other programmes for young people which we are an approved centre for:
- Open College Network courses at Level 1 or Level 2
- BTEC, Fire and Rescue Services in the Community at Award, Certificate and Diploma level.
In addition, we provide training for those staff and volunteers who are working with groups. This training can be a Youth Work qualification, Team Teach and outdoor qualifications like Basic Expedition Leaders course awarded by Sports Leaders.
All of our instructors undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and are provided with the relevant training to deliver high-quality programmes. We take our responsibility for the safety and welfare of children we work with extremely seriously – you can see more about how we look after vulnerable young people in our Safeguarding Policy.