Youth In Action Presentation 際際滷s
- 1. A Voice for Young People: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogue
- 2. Todays presentations: 1. Young Peoples Access to Advice James Kenrick, Advice Services Manager, Youth Access 2. A voice for young people: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogue Sarah McCoy MSc, Research Manager, YouthNet 3. YouthNets Life Support Appeal Julie Reynolds, Head of Appeal Development, YouthNet 4. Question & Answer session Led by Fiona Dawe OBE, YouthNet
- 3. Engaging, informing and inspiring 16 to 25-year-olds
- 4. Each month, TheSite.org helps over 500,000 people access vital: Information ...via no-nonsense fact sheets Support from peers via discussion boards Advice from experts via askTheSite
- 5. Young Peoples Access to Advice on Social Welfare Issues James Kenrick Advice Services Development Manager Youth Access
- 6. Youth Access The national membership association for young peoples information, advice, counselling and support services (YIACS) Over 200 members throughout UK National policy focus for sector Set standards and promote best practice Provide training, support, consultancy, resources Develop the evidence-base
- 7. Our Research Topics: advice needs, access, outcomes, impact, workforce, impact of recession etc. Scope: social welfare advice; ages 13-25; all modes of delivery Methods: literature reviews; focus groups; interviews with agencies; analysis of data from Civil & Social Justice Survey
- 8. Extent of unmet need Each year, young people - experience at least 2.3 million difficult to solve social welfare problems - fail to obtain advice in relation to at least 1.3 million problems Many more get poor advice The 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 problems Sources: Research by YA with LSRC based on 2006-08 CSJS data; Estimate by JustRights campaign based on Ministry of Justice figures
- 9. YPs Advice Needs Needs change with age Prone to multiple & severe problems Problems cluster around disadvantaged YP Close inter-relationship between legal, personal, practical & emotional issues Need for holistic age-appropriate services Big increase in demand due to recession
- 10. Seeking & obtaining advice YP are more likely to: take no action, delay, give up, try but fail to get advice 58% face problems without getting advice YP are twice as likely to be unsuccessful in obtaining advice when they seek it as adults Of YP seeking advice, nearly half are NEETs Early advice-seeking experiences highly influential on future behaviour
- 11. Sources of Advice - key characteristics sought Trustworthy, friendly, non judgemental Specialist service for YP only Where YP already go Informal, flexible & confidential Independent voluntary sector preferred An expert with clout who will go the extra mile
- 12. Modes of Access Internet: YP use the internet for advice and it is growing in importance Disadvantaged YP less likely to have access Complements face to face not a replacement YP have problems finding sites they can trust Independent, youth-focussed sites preferred Rapid developments in technology need for specialist approach
- 13. 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 gaps Skills of youth professionals lack ability to spot problems/limits of competence, advice & advocacy skills Policy & planning failures youth policy too careers-focussed; advice policy adult-focussed; lack of joining up; recession planning
- 14. Recommendations 1. A joined-up Government strategy for planning & funding youth advice DCSF, MoJ, CLG, DH, DWP 2. A national strategy to develop YPs legal capability / problem-solving skills 3. Joined-up local planning & commissioning Integrated Youth Support, Advice Services, Housing, PCTs, JobCentre Plus 4. Review balance of funding: careers IAG vs rights-based advice services remote vs face to face services independent vs statutory services 5. Develop competence of youth workforce to provide good advice new qualification?
- 15. Recent Reports The 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
- 16. A VOICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogue Sarah McCoy Research Manager
- 17. What well cover The background and methodology of the study Introducing the young people Information and advice-seeking behaviour The role of the internet What makes a good website for young people? A voice for young people: In their own words
- 18. Background of the study LifeSupport Appeal: TheSite.org redevelopment What do young people want and need from information, advice and guidance online and offline? Funding from the European Commission though Youth in Action programme Eight workshops with 62 young people from diverse backgrounds around the UK not currently using TheSite.org
- 19. The workshops Pre-tasks Disposable camera Technology diary Difficult situations Getting support Internet use Website reviews Recommendations
- 20. The young people Highly active Rural Scotland: internet users: Outskirts of London Glasgow Ex-offenders and drug/alcohol Gay and lesbian abusers: Liverpool No further young people: education: Manchester Young parents: Newcastle Bridgend Rural England: Ethnic minority Pensford (nr. young women: Bristol) London
- 21. Highly active internet users: London Wrote at least one blog, were members of at least one social networking site, and participated in at For me, I just think that at school, when least two other content-sharing activities I finished my A-levels, it was really concentrated on people going to Few life-concerns not linked to careers or university. And I didnt want to go to education university, so there wasnt much to do with that. It just seemed to me, Struggled to find adequate support and feared for everyone was going to university they others who might have less determination and kind of forgot the people who wanted to work instead. (Diana, 18) ambition Animated and opinionated when discussing the internet
- 22. Ex-offenders and drug or alcohol abusers: Liverpool The young people were in various stages of recovery all were in some form of treatment Interlocking issues: mental health, poverty, domestic abuse, self-harm, depression Felt neglected, ignored and mistreated by most support services Limited access to the internet, especially in throes of addiction Eager to use their own experiences to help others I 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)
- 23. Gay and lesbian young people: Manchester Participants were from a close-knit community and several knew each other well The group struggled to think of times they had needed support and focused on career- related decisions Only one mention of coming out The young people felt their lifestyles were very different to those of their heterosexual counterparts and this justified dedicated support services Experiences in rural locations may differ My 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)
- 24. Rural South West England: Pensford (nr. Bristol) All the young people were from the same school in a very small, close community There were experiences of a wide range of issues Theres quite a few family problems on my Dads side. As in, there was a the recession mentioned for the first time couple of deaths in the family in quite close proximity. And then the Participants were incredibly supportive of one recession came, and my parents were struggling for money. So they had to another and used few other advice sources cut back on quite a lot of stuff that I was used to. (Michael, 16) It was felt there was a lack of support for people their age and that young people in rural locations are somewhat isolated
- 25. Ethnic minority young women: London Most difficult to engage in conversation Focused on career-related issues, but had experience of family conflict, crime, homelessness and drugs 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 It was felt that ethnic minorities are underrepresented online and that there should be more positive role models for young people Basically, 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)
- 26. Rural Scotland: Outskirts of Glasgow Participants were suspicious of us as London-based researchers All but one of those over 16 had dropped out of education without clear plans Most felt education was less important than experience when finding work Money (or lack of it) was a top-of-mind issue for all, and the impact of the recession had been acutely felt There was a lack of enthusiasm for leaving Scotland or their local area The young people felt UK services were target at England and felt neglected Its 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)
- 27. No further education: Newcastle In contrast to other groups, there were few You dont know where your next jobs mentions of education and career-relate issues from at the minute, youve just got to take what you can get. Youre losing *contracts+ Concerns centred around money, unemployment, all the time. At the minute, youre working housing and debt for next to nothing, to try and undercut the other person, because theyre all doing the Most felt that finding work is about who you same. The companies, obviously, they can get credit. But if you cant get the credit know not what you know and were sceptical because of things that happened, theres about education no way that you can do it. (Craig, 25) Most would return to education if they could but felt they lack the resources and support needed to do so
- 28. Young parents: Bridgend Several of the young people had their children (aged between 4 months and 8 years) before they were 18 The main concern for most was financial and there were several stories of debt and money-struggles When pregnancy was discovered, speaking to family and friends was considered difficult and embarrassing The young people felt patronised by doctors, hospitals and midwives They made good use of the internet for child- related information Like, 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)
- 29. Help-seeking behaviour Personal support sources Formal support services Impersonal sources of support
- 30. Personal support services Parents Friends Teachers They know you, dont they? - a double-edged sword Pros Cons An insiders perspective Bias and control Useful for issues where the reactions Only consider whats best from their or mindset of the young person is perspective important (e.g. careers or Lack of knowledge about specialist relationships) subjects Best interests at heart No good for embarrassing subjects Life experience (e.g. finance)
- 31. Formal support services Careers advisors Health services Social workers Banks They dont really care experience and perception Pros Cons Generally available face to face No personal interest in outcome for Detailed information on specialist the young person subjects Often perceived to be acting in their Usually confidential so useful for own interests embarrassing issues Can be patronising and dismissive Trusted and accurate information Sometimes paying Lip service to a problem
- 32. Impersonal sources of support Television Books Magazines Internet You know the information is quality if its published Pros Cons Completely anonymous Too generic, especially for personal Assumed accuracy issues Some forms are easily accessible Old-fashioned and tedious Trusted information Can be time-consuming May be out-of-date
- 33. The role of the internet As a social organisation and communication tool A study tool A life management tool A source of information, advice and guidance
- 34. Just as an example, you wouldnt want to go to The internet doesnt judge you, your mum and say, oh, whats testicular cancer, you know? You can go and look at because you might be embarrassed. And on the whatever you wantthey dont say internet, you can just go on and find out why are you looking at this? anything. It can be absolutely anything maybe something you wouldnt even want to talk to your friends about. Non-judgemental The internet for information, advice Embarrassing and guidance topics And a lot of the time the internet has a broader perspective. Its always private and confidential. It never like, unless it you look at it, and its just there, Choice isnt it, for you to take in. And no one knows youre looking at it. No one knows what your problem is. Because the internets got everything, hasnt it? Anonymity
- 35. What makes a good website? Simplicity A clean, uncluttered appearance An accessible, functional search box Clear section headings Limited use of text I think its got to have a search bar at the top, for keywords. Because there Limited website depth just 3 can be so much information on a website, so you can just type in a key clicks! word at the top and itll take you straight to that article. Indicators of quality Visible indicators of website traffic Clarity regarding website origins Prominent feedback mechanisms Attention to detail Regular updates
- 36. THE NEED FOR SUPPORT: Issues faced by young people The young people
- 37. Summary of findings A need for accessible, relevant, high quality information for young people regardless of their background Young people use a wide range of support-sources, none of which are sufficient in isolation 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 Young people are internet savvy and have high expectations regarding online advice and support
- 38. Julie Reynolds Head of Appeal Development
- 39. Panel Q & A James Kenrick, Advice Services Manager, Youth Access Sarah McCoy, Research Manager, YouthNet Julie Reynolds, Head of Appeal Development, YouthNet Jim Valentine, Communities Manager, YouthNet