Youth Access

A profile of Youth Access member, YES, Jersey

10 October, 2008

In June 08 Youth Access’s Advice training expert Helen Stollar delivered 3 days of training to staff and volunteers in Jersey in preparation for the opening of their new YES project. Helen says:

“Jersey has an image on the mainland as being a wealthy tax haven full of property speculators (and new potatoes). The reality is very different. Employment is, in the main, dependent on the tourist industry. Benefits, until very recently, were largely decided by ‘the parish’ and youth homelessness is on the increase.There was loads of enthusiasm from the staff about the prospect of setting up the first ever youth advice service on the island. The training included a number of different partners delivering a range of services to young people. They were all equally excited about the prospect of developing multi agency working focussed on the advice needs of 14 – 25 year-olds.With the commitment and enthusiasm from the management and staff involved I am sure YES will be a great success. We at Youth Access wish them all the very best.”

A profile of Youth Enquiry Service (YES) Jersey

What is the YES project?

YES stands for Youth Enquiry Service and is a brand new project providing free & confidential information, advice & counselling for anyone aged 14 - 25.The YES project is a service that has been developed by the Youth Service in partnership with the Jersey Youth Trust.

The aims of the Project are:

• To commit to high quality partnership work with all agencies that work with young people in Jersey.
• To maintain a high quality, free & independent information, advice & counselling service for anyone aged 14 – 25.
• To be committed to responding to the needs of young people.
• To maintain confidentiality within the YES Code of Practice.
• To listen and support young people in making informed choices and decisions for themselves.
• To provide a range of flexible help in an informal setting.
• To enable young people to self refer and make voluntary use of the service.
• To ensure that workers are competent to perform the range and depth of duties offered at YES.

What does the project offer?

The YES project was created to support young people aged between 14 & 25 with any issues that are affecting them.

At the Drop-in young people can access advice, information and support on a range of issues such as Education, Employment, Health, Money, Housing or any other issue that is affecting them.Free chlamydia screening is also soon going to be offered, in conjunction with the Health & Social Services Department.The service is a 'One Stop Shop' where young people can access the YES team via the drop-in, by phone or by the website.YES Staff will aim to help young people as much as possible. If they can't answer their questions or deal with their enquiries they will help them find an agency that can. This approach aims to stop young people being passed from agency to agency.

A free 1:2:1 Counselling service is offered for anyone aged 14-25, with five professionally qualified counsellors, aiming to offer an independent counselling service which is accessible and free. Young people can self refer to YES and the Counselling project and referrals are taken from other agencies.

Working in Partnership

YES aims to work in partnership with other agencies working with young people aged 14 – 25 in Jersey. The project is promoted to them so that they are aware of YES’ services and are able to signpost young people to YES and vice versa. YES often asks other agencies to provide training to staff as and when the need arises.

Plans for the future

As the project is so new, the current focus is on promoting and establishing the Drop-in and 1:2:1 Counselling service. In the future YES hope to provide mini information points in all Secondary Schools & Colleges and all Youth Projects across the island. Drop-in sessions in schools, the prison, the young offenders secure unit and residential children’s homes will also be planned.

Why YES joined Youth Access

When asked why Youth Access membership was an essential move for Jersey YES, Vicki Twohig, Information officer, explained: “The reason we joined Youth Access is to ensure that we are working towards a Quality Standards framework and providing a professional service to our clients. The training, advice and support we have received whilst setting up the project have also been hugely beneficial."

Challenges faced by the service

The main challenge YES faces as a new service is ensuring that not only do young people know what’s on offer, but that all other agencies working with young people do as well. YES aims to work in partnership to ensure that the needs of young people in the island are being met and that they have access to a wide range of services.

Challenges faced by young people in Jersey

The main issues YES are continually dealing with are around housing and income support. The YES team have been asked to support young people in looking for accommodation as well as helping them find out what benefits they are entitled to. YES also aims to ensure that the information given is correct. The project hopes to do more work identifying young people’s needs in order to tailor their services to meet them.

Link to YES' website.

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