A report evaluated a programme designed to engage marginalized young people. The projects continued to support a growing number of personal and social outcomes, including positive changes in young people s attitudes, as well as widening the scope of activities and developmental opportunities provided.
Source: Monitoring and Evaluating Positive Futures: Key elements - Wave 6 final report, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Dec
A report said that there had been noticeable progress in the second year of the Positive Activities for Young People programme, including better targeting of the young people recruited onto the programme. (PAYP is a cross-departmental programme which works with young people aged 8-19 most at risk of social exclusion, committing crime, and being a victim of crime.)
Source: CRG Research Ltd., Positive Activities for Young People Evaluation: End of Year 2, Research Report RW46, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Oct
A study assessed the Connexions Direct service after one year of operation. (Connexions Direct is part of the Connexions Service, and offers confidential advice, support and information to young people 13 19.)
Source: Emma Starling, Connexions Direct: Mystery Shopping Evaluation Study, Research Report 693, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2005-Oct
A report said that youth groups should help young people to manage their money by integrating financial skills into existing activities.
Source: Adele Atkinson, Introducing Financial Capability Skills, Personal Finance Research Centre/University of Bristol (0117 928 9954)
Links: Report (pdf) | Young People Now report
Date: 2005-Aug
An education inspectorate report reviewed 31 youth services that were inspected during 2004, and analyzed the key features of the most effective services. During 2004, 8 youth services were judged good or very good, and 8 were inadequate. The rest were satisfactory.
Source: Effective Youth Services: Good practice, HMI 2445, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833)
Links: Report (pdf) | OFSTED press release
Date: 2005-Jul
A report analyzed the backgrounds of young people who participated in various types of youth activities; and what the effects were of taking part in these activities at age 16 on outcomes in adulthood. It was critical of 'unstructured' youth work.
Source: Leon Feinstein, John Bynner and Kathryn Duckworth, Leisure Contexts in Adolescence and Their Effects on Adult Outcomes, Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning/University of London (020 7612 6291)
Links: Report (pdf) | Young People Now report
Date: 2005-Jul
The government published the results of a review of careers education and guidance for young people between 11 and 19, focusing on delivery by schools, colleges, work-based learning providers, and the Connexions Service. It concluded that Connexions had made good progress with targeted services for young people in the 'not employment, education or training' group, or at risk of becoming part of it.
Source: Report of the End to End Review of Careers Education and Guidance, Department for Education and Skills (web publication only)
Links: Report (Word file)
Date: 2005-Jul
The Welsh Assembly government began consultation on proposals to improve youth services in Wales.
Source: Extending Entitlement: Supporting young people 11-25 in Wales - Working together to provide young people s entitlements, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Consultation document
Date: 2005-May
A report said that the government risked failing in its statutory obligations if it divided responsibility for careers advice and guidance between children's trusts, schools and colleges.
Source: Deirdre Hughes, Connexions: Developing Options and Opportunities, Centre for Guidance Studies/University of Derby (01332 591267)
Links: Report (pdf) | Young People Now report
Date: 2005-May
A report said that Connexions partnerships had exceeded the government s two-year national target to reduce the percentage of young people not in education employment and training.
Source: Annual Report, National Association of Connexions Partnerships (0114 281 3418)
Links: Report (pdf) | NACP press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Feb