Making Tracks project aim
The MtP aims to improve services for young adults with complex needs by developing better partnership working between GPs, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Young People’s Information, Advice and Counselling services (YIACS) operating in the VCS. The project will select up to three pilot sites to develop and evaluate an improved service offer for ‘harder to reach’ young adults, who will be able to access a new and distinctive package of holistic support combining medical, psychological therapies and social welfare advice services.

Making Tracks project summary
Youth Access will provide the pilot sites with a package of development support which addresses the individually assessed needs of each locality. The tailor-made package of support will enable sites to develop replicable models for improving partnership working between the VCS and local GPs in meeting the health and social welfare needs of young adults. Opportunities to share learning, attend workshops and training, will also be offered to participating pilots. The MtP will ensure that young adults and key stakeholders are involved in the development and shaping of the project. The project will be independently evaluated and its findings disseminated at local and national level.

Making Tracks objectives
The MtP will seek to achieve the following objectives to:
· Develop new tools and resources to enable YIACS to demonstrate more proactively and effectively the work of the agency and its contribution to the achievement of local and national targets, to GP and or PCT commissioners.
· Develop new resources to support GP practices and or PCT commissioning of YIACS providers.
· Develop and evaluate a model of good partnership working between GPs, PCTs and YIACS which improves services for young adults with complex needs.

Making Tracks anticipated outcomes
The MtP is intended to lead to the following outcomes:
· Better partnership working between GPs and voluntary and community youth sector providers.
· Increased awareness of young adults mental, emotional, psychological and social welfare needs in PCT and GP commissioning practices.
· Improvements in the social, mental and physical health of young adults with complex needs.

Making Tracks funding and timescale
This is a three year (2008 to 2011) project funded by the Department of Health.

Find out more

Join the national advisory group

If you are interested in this project please get in touch with Amandeep Hothi, Development Officer for this project.