Youth Access

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Grave threat to vital services for young people

19 April, 2010

Youth advice and counselling services, described by an influential MPs’ report as ‘more cost-effective than current structures’, are overwhelmed by demand and fearing for their future.

In the week following the call by an influential MP’s committee for investment in ‘one-stop-shops’ for advice, counselling, health and personal support to reduce numbers of NEETs, a new report reveals that agencies which currently offer just such services to young people are struggling to meet increasing demand against a background of reduced funding and overstretched capacity.

Under Strain, published today by Youth Access, the youth advice and counselling charity, reveals that these vital support services currently face a number of daunting challenges:

• Increased demand from young people – Almost 9 out of 10 services have experienced significantly increased demand for advice around housing, debt and benefits as well as for counselling and other health interventions as a result of the recession and increased youth unemployment.

• Increased complexity of need – More complex and severe mental health and emotional problems are being presented by young people.

• Service capacity overstretched – Many agencies are trying to meet these needs with capacity reduced from a year ago. More than three quarters report their services as being ‘under strain’ or ‘at breaking point’.

• Sustainability concerns – Almost half of all services experienced funding cuts in 2009 and most have real worries about their futures both in the long term and immediate future. A quarter see their very existence as being ‘at real risk’ from further anticipated cuts in the next 12 months.

The report also reveals that most advice, counselling and support agencies have yet to feel any benefit from extensive government reforms to the youth and health sectors. Indeed, where impact is reported, it is more often negative than positive.

The Children, Schools and Families Select Committee concluded last week that services that can provide co-located support services to young people on benefits, housing, health and careers "could prove more cost-effective than current structures” for tackling youth unemployment. Seemingly unaware of the existing UK network of over 200 such services, the committee pointed to a one-stop-shop in the Netherlands that had impressed them.

Youth Access’ network of members provides vital information, advice, counselling and support to over 1m young people each year on issues as diverse as housing, debt, sexual health, relationships and mental health - with proven positive outcomes.

Youth Access is calling upon planners and commissioners to:

• recognise the unique contribution of targeted advice and counselling services to local integrated youth support services and NEET reduction strategies
• support and resource existing advice and counselling services as a priority, rather than seeing them as an easy target for spending cuts or attempting to ‘reinvent the wheel’

Barbara Rayment, Director of Youth Access, commented:

“We were pleased to see the Select Committee report recognise the value of holistic and targeted services, but they did not have to go as far as Holland to see them in action and providing great outcomes for young people – many need only have looked in their own constituencies.

The value of our members’ work is proven and what is needed is for them to be developed, supported and resourced so that they can continue to give the most disadvantaged young people a chance to overcome the problems which can be insurmountable barriers to engagement with work, learning and coping with everyday life.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Youth Access is the national membership association for a network of over 200 youth information, advice, counselling and support services across the UK dealing with over one million enquiries a year on issues as diverse as sexual health, mental health, relationships, homelessness, benefits and debt. For further information, go to: www.youthaccess.org.uk.

2. Follow this link to read the report, Under Strain

3. For more information, hard copies of the reports, case studies and access to interviewees, please contact:

Steve Lee, Policy Officer, Youth Access020 8772 9900 ext. 28 / 07966 739308 email steve at steve@youthaccess.org.uk

James Kenrick, Advice Services Development Manager, Youth Access020 8772 9900 ext. 25 / 07535 344881 email james at james@youthaccess.org.uk