An article said that government plans for the English youth services redefine their role to such extent that 'it is increasingly difficult to call much of it youth work'. It argued that what is left of youth work within the youth service is to be largely 'transformed' into a form of schooling.
Source: Mark Smith, 'Transforming Youth Work - Resourcing excellent youth services: A critique', Informal education homepage, infed.org (web only)
Links: Paper
Date: 2002-Dec
The government set out its blueprint for modernising youth services in England. A common standard of quality and delivery will be expected of all local authority youth services, in return for additional funding.
Source: Transforming Youth Work: Resourcing Excellent Youth Services, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 9.2
Date: 2002-Dec
Campaigners reportedly expressed concern over the amount of confidential information being collected on young people by the Connexions service.
Source: The Guardian, 22.10.02
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2002-Oct
The schools inspectorate found that the implementation of the Connexions Service has maintained, restored and, in some instances, improved careers education and guidance. But it found that the quality of target-setting and action planning, and of careers guidance for young people on work-based training, varies in quality; and that the quality of information in many schools relating to work-based training opportunities is poor.
Source: Connexions Partnerships: The first year 2001-2002, HMI 521, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 3.7
Date: 2002-Oct
A study in Scotland found that successful youth projects are often the result of young people themselves being involved in all stages of the project.
Source: Emily Bain, Social Inclusion in Rural Areas: Innovative Projects for Young People, Scottish Executive (0131 244 7560)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Oct
Researchers proposed a model to enable the Connexions youth service to improve the effectiveness of its work with young black men.
Source: Cathy Aymer and Toyin Okitikpi, Young Black Men and The Connexions Service, Research Report 311, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A report said that young people s informal network of support, mainly from their parents and other family members, has a greater impact on their career development, decision-making and transitions than formal careers guidance.
Source: Sheila Semple, Cathy Howieson and Mary Paris, Young People's Transitions: Careers Support from Family and Friends, Centre for Educational Sociology/University of Edinburgh (0131 651 6238)
Links: Summary (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 3.7
Date: 2002-Sep
A common planning framework for the youth service was published, setting out the information the government wants to see included in local development plans for services in England, starting in 2003 for a three-year period.
Source: Transforming Youth Work Planning for the Local Authority Youth Service: 2003 04 Guidance, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Guidance (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 3.7
Date: 2002-Sep
A report said that sport could help get youngsters away from crime and help fight drug abuse. Two dozen 'Positive Futures' schemes - involving up to 4,000 young people living in disadvantaged housing areas throughout England - were assessed.
Source: Positive Futures: Review of impact and good practice, Sport England (020 7273 1700)
Links: Summary (pdf) | Site reports (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
The National Assembly for Wales approved legislation which will mean that each local authority in Wales will be legally required to provide, or secure the provision of, youth support services.
Source: Press release 2.7.02, National Assembly for Wales (029 20 825537)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
A project consulted over 100 disabled teenagers to find out about their access to leisure services, activities and pastimes.
Source: Pippa Murray, Hello! Are you Listening? Disabled Teenagers Experience of Access to Inclusive Leisure, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: JRF Findings 712
Date: 2002-Jul
A report found disabled children suffer widespread exclusion from leisure and play activities.
Source: Pauline Shelley, Everybody Here?: Play and Leisure for Disabled Children and Young People, Contact a Family (020 7608 8700)
Links: Report
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 1.8)
Date: 2002-Jun