Youth Access

SEU examines services for young people

10 November, 2005

22 March 2005

The Government’s Social Exclusion Unit is conducting work aimed at identifying improvements that could be made to the delivery of services for 16-25 year olds with severe or multiple problems. As part of their ‘Young Adults with Troubled Lives’ project, to which Youth Access has submitted evidence, the SEU has published an interim report entitled ‘Transitions’. The SEU’s own research found that 98% of young adults accessing services had more than one problem or need. The SEU concludes that young people with multiple needs relating to homelessness, substance misuse, offending or mental health will need to access a range of services in order to address a range of problems, but that existing services tend to be fragmented and poorly co-ordinated. The SEU has decided to focus the next stage of the project on three areas:

• The potential for blurring the age boundaries of services to prevent young adults falling between the gaps in children’s, adolescent and adult services.
• Facilitating partnership working to improve assessment, co-ordination, accessibility and referrals through holistic services with a ‘trusted adult’ to guide and advise the young person.
• Understanding young adults’ thinking and behaviour better, so that policy can respond more effectively to their needs.

As well as further consultation with young adults, the SEU are drawing up a list of agencies to visit. They are keen to learn from agencies that provide ‘under one roof’ early intervention and prevention services. We hope to meet with the SEU soon, but we believe there is much they could learn from front-line youth information, advice, counselling and support services and we would urge agencies to contact the SEU with evidence, comments and offers to host a visit. To contact the SEU, email youngadults@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

The SEU’s report, ‘Transitions’, can be viewed at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/social_exclusion_task_force/assets/publications_1997_to_2006/transitions_young_adults.pdf  (new window)

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