Services for Young People (SfYP) Personal Advisers and Youth Workers proactively engaged the young people through a combination of phone calls, visits and invitations to attend the Access Point Projects in their area. The young people then met with Personal Advisers to discuss how SfYP could support them with their plans for their future and connect them to other services where needed.
As a result, nine young people signed up to the SfYP Pathways to Success programme, which involves tailored careers education activities proven to enable sustained engagement in education, employment or training.
In Welwyn Hatfield, 16 young people joined the SfYP Raising Aspirations project which helped them develop confidence and overcome barriers which may have prevented them from achieving their potential. The project includes sessions on subjects such as identity, self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and goal setting, all designed to raise aspirations and develop resilience.
In the Broxbourne area, a series of drop-in sessions with SfYP Personal Advisers helped the young people to understand and explore their options and supported them with college applications and the transition to college. A visit to Hertford Regional College was also arranged for them.
The initiative was successful, with approximately 90% of participants progressing into education, training or employment.
Case studies
The following case studies showcase the achievements of some of the young people supported through the initiative:
R has been home educated since leaving school during Year 8, but she has not let this limit her ambition. Joining the Pathways to Success programme and attending the SfYP Supporting You project has enabled R to develop the confidence and skills to move forward positively with her plans. She has now successfully enrolled at Harlow College to start her Level 2 Health and Social Care qualification as a first step towards realising her goal of working in the NHS as a paramedic.
T was supported in making decisions and applying for college through a series of drop-in sessions at the SfYP Cheshunt Access Point Project. This support increased her self-esteem and confidence and enabled her to push herself outside of her comfort zone. She also attended an SfYP emotional wellbeing project. T started a Level 1 Health and Social Care course at Hertford Regional College.
T said: “I’m so thankful you reached out to me in the first place because going to the meetings helped my anxiety and I’m so excited to have started college... I don’t think I could’ve done it without your help!”
R has been home educated since Year 8 and has had very little engagement in school or careers education. During Year 11, an SfYP personal adviser met R every week to discuss career options, create a CV, and completed functional skills initial assessments. R is now studying for a BTEC Level 1 in Construction at Hertford Regional College. R has also significantly increased his resilience, is more aware of his responsibilities.
Find out more about SfYP’s support for young people.
