Outcomes for young people Where are we now and where do we want to be?

Mel• Not enough funding, and not enough

sustainable funding – too much time is taken away from contact with young people in the search for funding, and funding shortages restrict opportunities for young people to develop valuable life skills

• We need a greater focus on gender – young women are not always able, or encouraged, to challenge stereotypes and access traditionally-male vocational areas

Lyndsey• Education Maintenance Allowance –

means testing means that some young people receive payments for participating, when others don’t. Should there be equal funding for everyone?

• Taster courses – time to dip in and out of different options would help young people who are not sure what they want to do

Rachael

• A focus on qualifications can mean that young people with complex needs don’t get enough support – and staff are sometimes not supported to develop their skills to meet these needs

• Consultation is often seen as “extra” to practitioners’ duties – and some fear that asking young people their opinion may highlight that provision in not really meeting their needs….

Michael• Not knowing what’s available locally –

we need to find new ways to get information across, and understand the power of peer pressure in shaping young people’s choices

• Importance of fun in learning – having fun is all part of growing up and becoming an adult!

Peter

• Is there more emphasis on achieving than enjoying? Young people’s needs are forgotten in the focus on targets. What do young people want to achieve?

• Young people think “soft outcomes” are very important – they value their developments in confidence, team working and self awareness, and want others to value them too