Youth or Adult? Follow-up study

Over a period of six months in mid 2000 we contacted former Youth or Adult? workers. Below we print a summary of what we found.

Between 1988-1999 some 76 workers were appointed to projects. 19 of these workers left the programme before it was completed (often within 12 months). We have been unable to obtain up-to-date contact details for 13 former workers (two who completed the programme, 11 who did not).

So far we have interviewed or received completed questionnaires from 39 former workers who completed the programme and have information about the work of a further 13. Very few of the workers that left the programme early have responded. Below we set out the highlights of the research to date.

Career development

All bar one of the people we have interviewed or responded to our questionnaire are still involved in direct developmental work with children, young people or adults. A high proportion is either still working with young people, or is managing such work. A significant number (perhaps around 25 per cent) have moved into community development work (for example, around community safety, architecture and design, community reconciliation, supporting local community organizations). A smaller number have training workers as their main area of responsibility (around 10 per cent).

The vast majority of former workers (between 70 75 per cent) are still employed in voluntary sector agencies. Around a quarter are working for their original Youth or Adult? agency or an agency linked to it.

A number of workers (particularly from earlier cohorts) have been appointed to middle, or fairly senior, management positions in their agencies. Several now have to manage staff in other professional disciplines.

A significant number of those responding have either begun, or want to begin, to study at Masters level. One is looking to undertake a PhD. In part, the return to study is linked to peoples career aspirations. A clear majority are looking to be in higher management positions within five years, a significant number (between 10-20 per cent) want to be in lecturing/training positions or working as consultants.

A number of former workers have taken the opportunity to travel or to work abroad, for example in New Zealand, Africa or China often teaching English as a foreign language.

Around a quarter of those workers who left the Initiative early went on to complete their qualifying studies with the College.  

The benefits of involvement in Youth or Adult?

All respondents have talked about the very significant benefits to them of involvement in the Initiative. The following were often mentioned:

The chance to study after inauspicious academic careers and to gain professional qualification. Subsequently, this meant that they were able to get fulfilling jobs and to have a career in people work. Several also mentioned the extent to which the programme helped them to develop self reliance and confidence

The deepening and widening of experience (in work with young people especially), and the strengthening of their practice.

The chance to innovate several of the agencies hosting projects did not have substantial experience of work with young people. The Initiative provided a framework and an opportunity for them to develop new and often exciting pieces of work.

The membership of networks. Through conferences, events and the training programme, workers were able to built up their membership of different networks. Subsequently these have been useful in terms of getting jobs, giving and receiving professional support, and friendship.

Experience of the Initiative

All respondents talked in very positive terms of their experience of the Initiative:

The quality of support and commitment from the Foundations staff was frequently mentioned. The Celebration events and conferences were also seen as very positive opportunities for both working with young people, and for providing the opportunity to see other work and to gain support. 

The College training programme was seen as being of a very high standard. Some saw the focus on practice and on the person of the worker as painful at times. The travel involved to regional groups, and sometimes to supervision, was described as tedious by several respondents.

While the majority of respondents talked in positive terms of the managerial support given by their employing agencies, a significant number mentioned problems. The main issues mentioned were: a lack of understanding of the work (especially where there was not a substantial history of youth work in the agency); minimal support; and lack of a clear managerial framework (e.g. around line management sessions). However, workers were helped by the contract that agencies had signed when joining the Initiative, and the intervention of Foundation staff.

Respondents have made a number of suggestions around the advice that can be given to new workers; and in the area of follow-up conferences etc. I will give further details of these in a further report.

Mark K. Smith