ALICIA

- Thanks and introductions - Brief history of YN - We have 3 websites, do-it.org.uk, TheSite.org and Lifetracks which is yet to launch-Colin

Read stats face a wide range of problems. Problems often related YN is uniquely placed to help through………Sarah

ALICIA

ALICIA

A Voice for Young People: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogue Thursday 18th March

Today’s presentations: Young People’s Access to Advice James Kenrick, Advice Services Manager, Youth Access A voice for young people: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogue Sarah McCoy MSc, Research Manager, YouthNet YouthNet’s Life Support Appeal Julie Reynolds, Head of Appeal Development, YouthNet 4. Question & Answer session Led by Fiona Dawe OBE, YouthNet

Engaging, informing and inspiring 16 to 25-year-olds

Young People’s Access to Advice on Social Welfare Issues James Kenrick Advice Services Development Manager Youth Access YouthNet Seminar, 18/03/10

Youth Access The national membership association for young people’s 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

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

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. £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

YP’s 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

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

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’

Modes of Access Strong preference for Face to face advice YP less likely to use Telephone Internet: YP less likely to use for advice than adults – but 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

Barriers to Access Young people’s 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 YP’s 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

Recommendations A joined-up Government strategy for planning & funding youth advice – DCSF, MoJ, CLG, DH, DWP A national strategy to develop YP’s ‘legal capability’ / problem-solving skills Joined-up local planning & commissioning – Integrated Youth Support, Advice Services, Housing, PCTs, JobCentre Plus Review balance of funding: careers IAG vs rights-based advice services remote vs face to face services independent vs statutory services Develop competence of youth workforce to provide good advice – new qualification?

Recent Reports The Advice Needs of Young People – The Evidence (2009) Young People’s 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

A VOICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: Identifying the need for online information, advice and guidance through dialogue Sarah McCoy Research Manager

What we’ll 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

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

The workshops… Pre-tasks Disposable camera Technology diary Difficult situations Getting support Internet use Website reviews Recommendations

The young people… Highly active internet users: London Ex-offenders and drug/alcohol abusers: Liverpool Rural England: Pensford (nr. Bristol) Gay and lesbian young people: Manchester Rural Scotland: Outskirts of Glasgow Young parents: Bridgend No further education: Newcastle Ethnic minority young women: London

Highly active internet users: London Wrote at least one blog, were members of at least one social networking site, and participated in at least two other content-sharing activities Few life-concerns not linked to careers or education Struggled to find adequate support and feared for others who might have less determination and ambition Animated and opinionated when discussing the internet

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

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

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 – the recession mentioned for the first time Participants were incredibly supportive of one another and used few other advice sources It was felt there was a lack of support for people their age and that young people in rural locations are somewhat isolated

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

‘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

No further education: Newcastle In contrast to other groups, there were few mentions of education and career-relate issues Concerns centred around money, unemployment, housing and debt Most felt that finding work is about ‘who you know not what you know’ and were sceptical about education Most would return to education if they could but felt they lack the resources and support needed to do so

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

Help-seeking behaviour… Personal support sources Formal support services Impersonal sources of support

Parents Friends Teachers Personal support services “They know you, don’t they?” - a double-edged sword

Careers advisors Social workers Health services Formal support services “They don’t really care” – experience and perception Generally available face to face Detailed information on ‘specialist subjects’ Usually confidential so useful for ‘embarrassing’ issues Trusted and accurate information No personal interest in outcome for the young person Often perceived to be acting in their own interests Can be patronising and dismissive Sometimes paying ‘Lip service’ to a problem Pros Cons Banks

Impersonal sources of support “You know the information is quality if it’s published” Completely anonymous Assumed accuracy Some forms are easily accessible Trusted information Too generic, especially for personal issues ‘Old-fashioned’ and tedious Can be time-consuming May be out-of-date Pros Cons Television Magazines Books Internet

As a social organisation and communication tool The role of the internet… A source of information, advice and guidance

The internet for information, advice and guidance Non-judgemental Anonymity Embarrassing topics Choice

What makes a good website? A clean, uncluttered appearance An accessible, functional search box Clear section headings Limited use of text Limited website depth – just 3 clicks! Simplicity Indicators of quality Visible indicators of website traffic Clarity regarding website origins Prominent feedback mechanisms Attention to detail Regular updates

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

Julie Reynolds Head of Appeal Development

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 environment To 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

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