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During 2006, the Youth Affairs Network of
Queensland noticed an increase in the number of organisations and
youth workers contacting it to raise concerns about the level of
support available for young people who were not involved in education
or work.
These concerns were raised formally via the Youth
Consultative Network
and informally (e.g. during phone calls or meetings with YANQ staff).
In response, YANQ undertook this small research
project to investigate these concerns and to assess the level and
nature of support that is available for young people who are
disengaged from education and work. The research focused
specifically on young people aged between 12 to 18.
Download a summary of the research findings:  Support for Young People Disengaged from Education & Work: The Perspectives of Youth Services in Queensland 815.03 Kb
This report summarises the findings of that
research2.
Briefly, YANQ has drawn four conclusions from the research project:
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This research project has (like
many before it) confirmed that the factors that underpin
disengagement are many and complex.
-
Generally, the overall support
for disengaged young people does not match the complexity of their
needs.
- The overall response
to young people's needs is lacking because either:
a) where programs do exist
specifically to support disengaged young people there are concerns
about their effectiveness and the level of resources they have
available; or
b) existing services are not able
to respond to the needs of young people (e.g. homelessness)
adequately because because of a lack of complementary services
(e.g. a youth shelter) or programs; or
c) not all areas have access to
specific services to help young people reengage.
- And finally, insufficient attention is being paid to the systemic (rather than individual or personal) factors underlying disengagement.
As a result of this research, YANQ will be
initiating a more indepth, long term project focussing on the needs
of disengaged young people. The project will begin at the end of
2007.
Download a summary of the research findings: Support for Young People Disengaged from Education & Work: The Perspectives of Youth Services in Queensland 815.03 Kb
2
A full report with detailed findings was provided to the Management
Committee of YANQ. Details are available by phoning YANQ.
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