More Chances More Choices

Linked Work Training Trust (LWTT) and the Council for Voluntary Service Clackmannanshire (CVSC)  ran a pilot training and support programme for young people not in employment, education or training.  The pilot ran from November 2007 to October 2008.  LWTT designed and ran the training programme which included an introduction to community learning and development, citizenship, organisation and management and personal skills development.  CVSC organised volunteer placements for the young people with local voluntary and community organisations and also a mentoring programme where the young people could receive personal support.

During November and December 2007 the focus was on preparation and establishing the infrastructure.  The main activities were;

-   Contacting agencies and organisations providing support services for young people
-    Contacting existing youth groups who have young people who are NEET to raise awareness of the
      opportunity
-    Contacting voluntary and community organisations who may be able to offer a young person a
      volunteering
      opportunity
-    Selecting a venue for the training

Early and mid January was taken up by recruitment.  The first unit was designed to re-introduce the trainees to learning and as a taster to working with communities.  It covered thinking learning styles, exploring why the participants were not in employment, education or training, research, personal skills, their learning journies so far and working with other young people adults and in communities.  The second unit, March to May was designed with the trainees input to focus on Citizenship.

Highlights identified by the trainees from the first unit:

included visiting the CLIK Centre, the Volunteer Centre and the Spiers Centre to find out how they were set up, what they do and how they cater for children and young people and contributing to Clackmannanshire Council’s consultation on Looked After Children.  The Group discussed the issues and opportunities and 2 representatives attended the consultation meetings.

Highlights again identified by the trainees themselves from the second unit included the visit of Belgian youth and community workers, the Citizenship video which they produced and collages on active citizenship.

Eight trainees started the course in January, a further 2 joined in February, 1 in March and 2 in May.  All students were in the 16 – 18 age range except 1 who was 22 years old.

All trainees were invited to a Youth Volunteer event in the Royal Oak in Alloa on the 5^th June where 4 received volunteer certificates in recognition of their achievements.  Two students are now proficient and have basic certificates in sign language.  One student has completed First Aid and Health and Safety courses as part of their placement and received certificates.

 

 

 

                                                               

The description of the important events in the trainees lives allows an analysis of the contributing factors to their becoming NEET.  Most trainees had multiple contributing factors.

Factors contributing to Trainees being NEET

Characteristics	Frequency	Characteristics	Frequency
Young people who live in poverty	N/K*	Disabled or sick young people	-
Low attainment causing poor adult outcomes	12	Children who persistently truant or who are excluded from school	4
Misusing drugs or alcohol	9	Looked-after children	2
Caring for members of their family	N/K	Young offenders	5
Young people with special educational needs	9	Parents’ employment status and occupation	N/K
Bullying, peer pressure, and lack of pastoral support	3	Stress and bereavement	N/K
Becoming a parent at a young age	1

*N/K = Not Known from information available

Trainees also recorded a 2 minute video piece on their hopes and expectations.