Voice of Young People
- 1. A Voice for Young People: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogueThursday 18th March
- 2. Todays presentations:Young Peoples Access to AdviceJames Kenrick, Advice Services Manager, Youth AccessA voice for young people: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogue Sarah McCoy MSc, Research Manager, YouthNetYouthNets Life Support AppealJulie Reynolds, Head of Appeal Development, YouthNet4. Question & Answer sessionLed by Fiona Dawe OBE, YouthNet
- 3. Engaging, informing and inspiring 16 to 25-year-olds
- 4. Each month, TheSite.org helps over500,000 people access vital: InformationSupportAdvice...via no-nonsensefrom peers viafrom experts viafact sheetsdiscussion boardsaskTheSite
- 5. Young Peoples Access to Advice on Social Welfare IssuesJames KenrickAdvice Services Development ManagerYouth AccessYouthNet Seminar, 18/03/10
- 6. Youth AccessThe national membership association for young peoples information, advice, counselling and support services (YIACS)Over 200 members throughout UKNational policy focus for sectorSet standards and promote best practiceProvide training, support, consultancy, resourcesDevelop the evidence-base
- 7. Our ResearchTopics: advice needs, access, outcomes, impact, workforce, impact of recession etc.Scope: social welfare advice; ages 13-25; all modes of deliveryMethods: literature reviews; focus groups; interviews with agencies; analysis of data from Civil & Social Justice Survey
- 8. Extent of unmet needEach year, young peopleexperience at least 2.3 million difficult to solve social welfare problems
- 9. fail to obtain advice in relation to at least 1.3 million problemsMany more get poor adviceThe cost to individuals and the public purse*= c. 贈1 billion a year*as a result of loss of employment, physical and stress-related illness and violent behaviour resulting from the stress of problemsSources: Research by YA with LSRC based on 2006-08 CSJS data; Estimate by JustRights campaign based on Ministry of Justice figures
- 10. YPs Advice Needs Needs change with ageProne to multiple & severe problemsProblems cluster around disadvantaged YPClose inter-relationship between legal, personal, practical & emotional issuesNeed for holistic age-appropriate services Big increase in demand due to recession
- 11. Seeking & obtaining adviceYP are more likely to: take no action, delay, give up, try but fail to get advice
- 12. 58% face problems without getting advice
- 13. YP are twice as likely to be unsuccessful in obtaining advice when they seek it as adults
- 14. Of YP seeking advice, nearly half are NEETs
- 15. Early advice-seeking experiences highly influential on future behaviourSources of Advice - key characteristics soughtTrustworthy, friendly, non judgemental
- 16. Specialist service for YP only
- 17. Where YP already go
- 18. Informal, flexible & confidential
- 19. Independent voluntary sector preferred
- 20. An expert with clout who will go the extra mile Modes of AccessStrong preference for Face to face advice YP less likely to use TelephoneInternet:YP less likely to use for advice than adults but growing in importanceDisadvantaged YP less likely to have accessComplements face to face not a replacementYP have problems finding sites they can trustIndependent, youth-focussed sites preferredRapid developments in technology need for specialist approach
- 21. Barriers to Access Young peoples problem-solving ability -awareness of rights & services, communication skills, confidence & persistence, psychological barriers etc.Characteristics of mainstream adult advice services, e.g. CABx lack of focus on meeting YPs specific needs, skills/attitudes/knowledge gapsSkills of youth professionals lack ability to spot problems/limits of competence, advice & advocacy skillsPolicy & planning failures youth policy too careers-focussed; advice policy adult-focussed; lack of joining up; recession planning
- 22. RecommendationsA joined-up Government strategy for planning & funding youth advice DCSF, MoJ, CLG, DH, DWPA national strategy to develop YPs legal capability / problem-solving skillsJoined-up local planning & commissioning Integrated Youth Support, Advice Services, Housing, PCTs, JobCentre PlusReview balance of funding:careers IAG vs rights-based advice servicesremote vs face to face servicesindependent vs statutory servicesDevelop competence of youth workforce to provide good advice new qualification?
- 23. Recent ReportsThe Advice Needs of Young People The Evidence (2009)Young Peoples Access to Advice The Evidence (2009)With Rights In Mind (2010) re mental health/advice The Impact of the Recession (2009)The Youth Advice Workforce: Now & In The Future (2009)Rights within Reach (2009) re outreach advice(All available at www.youthaccess.org.uk/publications) Forthcoming titles in 2010:Under Strain re impact of recession, funding & policy The Outcomes of Youth Advice Work
- 24. A VOICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogueSarah McCoyResearch Manager
- 25. What well coverThe background and methodology of the study
- 26. Introducing the young people
- 27. Information and advice-seeking behaviour
- 28. The role of the internet
- 29. What makes a good website for young people?
- 30. A voice for young people: In their own wordsBackground of the studyLifeSupport Appeal: TheSite.org redevelopment
- 31. What do young people want and need from information, advice and guidance online and offline?
- 32. Funding from the European Commission though Youth in Action programme
- 33. Eight workshops with 62 young people from diverse backgrounds around the UK not currently using TheSite.orgThe workshopsPre-tasks
- 35. Technology diary
- 37. Getting support
- 38. Internet use
- 39. Website reviews
- 40. RecommendationsThe young peopleHighly active internet users: LondonRural Scotland: Outskirts of GlasgowEx-offenders and drug/alcohol abusers: LiverpoolGay and lesbian young people: ManchesterNo further education: NewcastleYoung parents: BridgendRural England: Pensford (nr. Bristol)Ethnic minority young women: London
- 41. Highly active internet users: LondonWrote at least one blog, were members of at least one social networking site, and participated in at least two other content-sharing activities
- 42. Few life-concerns not linked to careers or education
- 43. Struggled to find adequate support and feared for others who might have less determination and ambition
- 44. Animated and opinionated when discussing the internetFor me, I just think that at school, when I finished my A-levels, it was really concentrated on people going to university. And I didnt want to go to university, so there wasnt much to do with that. It just seemed to me, everyone was going to university they kind of forgot the people who wanted to work instead. (Diana, 18)
- 45. Ex-offenders and drug or alcohol abusers: Liverpool The young people were in various stages of recovery all were in some form of treatment
- 46. Interlocking issues: mental health, poverty, domestic abuse, self-harm, depression
- 47. Felt neglected, ignored and mistreated by most support services
- 48. Limited access to the internet, especially in throes of addiction
- 49. Eager to use their own experiences to help othersI ended up on heroin. I was a sex worker to feed my addiction. But its only been, like, since being in recovery, that Ive been clean. Just over 12 months. And I want to use my experiences to help other people. And Id love to work in the care system, but Ive got a criminal record. And itd be like, I want to work with homeless people, street workers, vulnerable women and stuff. And I know I can do that, but with a criminal record I couldnt be with kids or anything like that. Its only if youre drink or drug related stuff. But Ive been in prison and stuff. But I want to use my experiences to help other kids.. (Carla, 24)
- 50. Gay and lesbian young people: ManchesterParticipants were from a close-knit community and several knew each other well
- 51. The group struggled to think of times they had needed support and focused on career- related decisions
- 52. Only one mention of coming out
- 53. The young people felt their lifestyles were very different to those of their heterosexual counterparts and this justified dedicated support services
- 54. Experiences in rural locations may differMy problem was that when it was time to go to college, I still had no idea what I wanted to do. So I just went and did a random course and quit. But back a year later, I did exactly the same thing. (Karen, 20)
- 55. Rural South West England: Pensford (nr. Bristol)All the young people were from the same school in a very small, close community
- 56. There were experiences of a wide range of issues the recession mentioned for the first time
- 57. Participants were incredibly supportive of one another and used few other advice sources
- 58. It was felt there was a lack of support for people their age and that young people in rural locations are somewhat isolatedTheres quite a few family problems on my Dads side. As in, there was a couple of deaths in the family in quite close proximity. And then the recession came, and my parents were struggling for money. So they had to cut back on quite a lot of stuff that I was used to. (Michael, 16)
- 59. Ethnic minority young women: LondonMost difficult to engage in conversation
- 60. Focused on career-related issues, but had experience of family conflict, crime, homelessness and drugs
- 61. The young women did not mention their ethnicity before prompting, implying they did not see their background as having a significant impact on their lives
- 62. It was felt that ethnic minorities are underrepresented online and that there should be more positive role models for young peopleBasically, I had a boyfriend who wanted me to hold illegal stuff in my house things that were stolen. And in a way, I felt I owed my boyfriend a favour. But I didnt want to do it, because I didnt want to get my mum in trouble. And I didnt know what to do, because I was stuck in between. (Aesha, 16)
- 63. Rural Scotland: Outskirts of GlasgowParticipants were suspicious of us as London-based researchers
- 64. All but one of those over 16 had dropped out of education without clear plans
- 65. Most felt education was less important than experience when finding work
- 66. Money (or lack of it) was a top-of-mind issue for all, and the impact of the recession had been acutely felt
- 67. There was a lack of enthusiasm for leaving Scotland or their local area
- 68. The young people felt UK services were target at England and felt neglectedIts gradual, and then a big dip with the recession. But also, you hear about people who are leaving university and then not getting jobs anyway. The people I knew who were going to university and thinking, Oh yeah, Ill definitely get a job when Ive finished, even theyre not getting anything. So why were they even studying? (Simon, 18)
- 69. No further education: NewcastleIn contrast to other groups, there were few mentions of education and career-relate issues
- 70. Concerns centred around money, unemployment, housing and debt
- 71. Most felt that finding work is about who you know not what you know and were sceptical about education
- 72. Most would return to education if they could but felt they lack the resources and support needed to do soYou dont know where your next jobs from at the minute, youve just got to take what you can get. Youre losing [contracts] all the time. At the minute, youre working for next to nothing, to try and undercut the other person, because theyre all doing the same. The companies, obviously, they can get credit. But if you cant get the credit because of things that happened, theres no way that you can do it. (Craig, 25)
- 73. Young parents: Bridgend Several of the young people had their children (aged between 4 months and 8 years) before they were 18
- 74. The main concern for most was financial and there were several stories of debt and money-struggles
- 75. When pregnancy was discovered, speaking to family and friends was considered difficult and embarrassing
- 76. The young people felt patronised by doctors, hospitals and midwives
- 77. They made good use of the internet for child-related informationLike, really horrible. Like I dont know, its just nasty Like, youre How can I put it? Because of your age, youre just treated really different? And, like you cant cope on your own and stuff. Its really horrible. (Rosie, 17)
- 78. Help-seeking behaviourPersonal support sourcesFormal support servicesImpersonal sources of support
- 79. Personal support servicesParentsFriendsTeachersThey know you, dont they? - a double-edged swordProsCons Bias and control
- 80. Only consider whats best from their perspective
- 81. Lack of knowledge about specialist subjects
- 82. No good for embarrassing subjects
- 83. An insiders perspective
- 84. Useful for issues where the reactions or mindset of the young person is important (e.g. careers or relationships)
- 85. Best interests at heart
- 86. Life experience (e.g. finance)Formal support servicesCareers advisorsHealth servicesSocial workersBanksThey dont really care experience and perceptionProsCons Generally available face to face
- 87. Detailed information on specialist subjects
- 88. Usually confidential so useful for embarrassing issues
- 89. Trusted and accurate information
- 90. No personal interest in outcome for the young person
- 91. Often perceived to be acting in their own interests
- 92. Can be patronising and dismissive
- 93. Sometimes paying Lip service to a problemImpersonal sources of supportTelevisionBooksMagazinesInternetYou know the information is quality if its publishedProsCons Completely anonymous
- 94. Assumed accuracy
- 95. Some forms are easily accessible
- 97. Too generic, especially for personal issues
- 98. Old-fashioned and tedious
- 99. Can be time-consuming
- 100. May be out-of-dateA study toolA life management toolThe role of the internetAs a social organisation and communication toolA source of information, advice and guidance
- 101. Non-judgementalThe internet for information, advice and guidanceEmbarrassing topicsChoiceAnd a lot of the time the internet has a broader perspective.The internet doesnt judge you, you know? You can go and look at whatever you wantthey dont say why are you looking at this?Its always private and confidential. It never like, unless it you look at it, and its just there, isnt it, for you to take in. And no one knows youre looking at it. No one knows what your problem is. Just as an example, you wouldnt want to go to your mum and say, oh, whats testicular cancer, because you might be embarrassed. And on the internet, you can just go on and find out anything. It can be absolutely anything maybe something you wouldnt even want to talk to your friends about.Because the internets got everything, hasnt it?Anonymity
- 102. What makes a good website?SimplicityA clean, uncluttered appearance
- 103. An accessible, functional search box
- 104. Clear section headings
- 105. Limited use of text
- 106. Limited website depth just 3 clicks!Indicators of qualityVisible indicators of website traffic
- 107. Clarity regarding website origins
- 108. Prominent feedback mechanisms
- 109. Attention to detail
- 110. Regular updatesI think its got to have a search bar at the top, for keywords. Because there can be so much information on a website, so you can just type in a key word at the topand itll take you straight to that article.
- 111. Summary of findingsA need for accessible, relevant, high quality information for young people regardless of their background
- 112. Young people use a wide range of support-sources, none of which are sufficient in isolation
- 113. The internet plays a significant role in the lives of young people and has the potential to bridge gaps in existing support and bring together the qualities found in other services
- 114. Young people are internet savvy and have high expectations regarding online advice and supportJulie ReynoldsHead of Appeal Development
- 115. TheSite has helped me in so many ways that any opportunity to reach out to more young people is always going to be worthwhile.It's not simply that it helps people with short term problems - concerns about career or exam worries - it provides long term support and does so in a welcoming and supportive community environmentTo continue to be an up-to-the-minute and accurate service to young people, who are increasingly using the internet as their first port of call for advice and guidance.To promote and encourage young people to use TheSite to get information they need but may not be able to ask for in the real world. Young people need a place where they can find support and information
- 116. Panel Q & AJames Kenrick, Advice Services Manager, Youth AccessSarah McCoy, Research Manager, YouthNetJulie Reynolds, Head of Appeal Development, YouthNetJim Valentine, Communities Manager, YouthNet