This is a list of proxies. I’ve tried the first two and they work. They are easy to use and do not require a lot of tech knowledge.
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/Proxying_and_Filtering/Hosted_Proxy_Services/Free/CGI_Proxy/
OTOH as the URLs of the proxy servers are well known, these are often themselves blocked or their usage monitored by many organisations on the assumption that someone using one has something to hide.
Also there might be a “catch-all” clause in the IT policy that any use of a proxy server automatically constitutes an attempt to bypass policy and is classed as a disciplinary matter.
I agree with you that different levels of filtering should apply to schools, libraries and youth-clubs; its actually fairly easy on most filtering software to permit different user groups to have different access levels.
However many IT departments in both public and private sector have a “take-it or leave it” approach to filtering as they can’t be arsed to work out how to use the extra features of the software – until it gets in the way of business.
This is your weapon – TBH the only way of fighting back is to deliver less of the service if you aren’t being provided with the appropriate tools, but at the same time to make it clear to whoever is classed as your “line manager” why this is happening.
In one job I was in my managers told an IT dept if they did not provide the data on time we would buy it from the supplier directly as the extra cost was less than the time lost by its late delivery – they eventually caved in…
Although you are in public/voluntary sector there is still a budget (and a cost) for everything.
You may need to take it as far getting whoever controls the purse-strings for the youth club arguing that they would cease the contract for network provision from the Council’s in-house IT department, and just buy a broadband connection on the free market from a private supplier if they are not willing to be more pragmatic about the filtering policy (and changing the settings for two machines isn’t exactly an onerous task).
