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National Youth Homelessness Scheme
Learning and work
This module focuses on how organisations are helping young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to develop their confidence, their capacity to live and thrive independently and the knowledge and skills they will need to enter education, training or employment.
As well as providing accommodation and personal support, the contributing organisations have invested in substantial learning-related development. They believe strongly that it is not enough to simply supply a roof, but that young people must be offered the means to help themselves grow out of their current fragile and dependent situations. These young people are more vulnerable and yet have to achieve adulthood more quickly than most.
Good practice providers are adept at securing a range of funding streams to support this work (see Being Strategic - R1: Finance Jargon Buster).
Hallmarks of success emerging from the case studies in this section are:
- The approach is holistic and progressive and works with young people's aspirations;
- Preparation for move on offers a motivating frame;
- Assessment tools are used sensitively but rigorously to determine young people's needs, including their levels of literacy and numeracy;
- Organisations seek to engage young people on a voluntary basis; to motivate them through an understanding of the value of what can be achieved;
- Young people are offered a wide range of relevant development programmes, including work-related learning opportunities and they have choice;
- Organisations are well networked into other service providers to expand the learning offer and they help partners to understand client needs;
- Individual support and information, advice and guidance are provided to help young people stay on track, recognise their progress and identify next steps;
- Funding issues are considered at the outset for each development and resource strategy is planned.
(researched and written by Centrepoint)
