Archived decisions

Contact: Ray Barnard, Youth Service Manager, Tel: 01962 846424

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the main findings of the 2001 County Youth Service user survey under three major headings: the needs of young people; the quality of youth service provision; the quality of other local services. Some background information is provided together with the objectives of the survey. The conclusions and recommendations are based on the results of the survey.

2. Background Information

2.1 2001 is the fourth year in which an objective, outside body has consulted young people attending Youth Service projects across Hampshire about the quality of the service they receive. The results provide important information for planning and improving performance at county and district levels.

2.2 For the second year in succession, the Youth Affairs Unit at De Montfort University was commissioned to undertake the survey. The survey used two approaches:

· A quantitative questionnaire circulated to a sample of projects from each district, selected to reflect a range of youth work settings

· Qualitative focus group interviews with young people in eight of the eleven districts

2.3 The quantitative survey took place in October and the focus groups, facilitated by a researcher, met during November.

2.4 The quantitative survey received five hundred and thirty six completed questionnaires; forty-five young people participated in the focus groups. De Montfort have confirmed that the sample was both adequate in size and broadly representative of Hampshire's demographic characteristics. The whole sample was in the broad age range of the County Youth Service - 11 to 25 year olds - with 70% being in the priority age range of 13 to 19.

2.5 The objectives of the survey were to:

· Gauge the level of user satisfaction with the service

· Support the assessment of young people's needs

· Offer insights into the quality of relationships between youth workers and young people

· Provide relevant information to aid future planning in the Best Value review of services to young people.

3. The needs of young people

3.1 Eighty-six per cent of the young people surveyed rated the area in which they live as `OK' or above. However, `nothing to do' was seen as the single most important issue facing young people and this was accompanied by `lack of meeting places' and `police hassle.' Similar findings can be seen in previous surveys. This appears to be supported by the numbers of young people who cite watching television, listening to music and going to friends' houses as their most frequent activities.

3.2 Young people also identified the need to `provide more things for girls to do' and the need to address:

· Drug and alcohol use

· Crime - including vandalism and general personal safety

· The high cost of living, including public transport

· Stress, especially related to exams and general school work

· Conflict with adults, including the Police and staff of other services

4. Quality of youth service provision

4.1 The high quality of relationships between youth workers and young people was once again commented on favourably by young people in the 2001 survey. Youth workers were seen as caring, friendly and understanding. Young people felt treated with respect by youth workers and able to talk through personal issues with them.

4.2 Eighty-six percent of the young people surveyed indicated their high level of satisfaction by scoring the Youth Service project they attend at seven or more out of ten. Seventy percent indicated that they built better relationships with other people as a result of attending a project. High levels of young people also indicated that they had learnt new skills, been involved in a variety of activities and had grown in confidence as a result of their involvement. Discussions on issues such as smoking, alcohol and other drug use had also been central to young people's involvement in Youth Service provision.

4.3 The survey indicated that additional attention needs to be given to:

· Young people's further involvement in decision making, project planning and the organisation of activities

· The development of opportunities to make young people think, extend and develop their personal and social education

· Broadening the focus of discussions to include greater emphasis on personal values and social justice

5. Quality of other services

5.1 Public transport, libraries and arts centres were among the worst local community provision as perceived by the young people surveyed. The main suggestions for improvement of these services were:

· Public transport - cost, punctuality and reliability; appearance and cleanliness; staff attitudes; more space for bicycles on trains

· Libraries - audio visual equipment; word processing and printing facilities; more copies of popular books; longer opening times; gay and lesbian section

· Arts centres - cheaper access and better publicity.

5.2 Overall the concerns young people had about local services came under three main headings: cost, access and limited local facilities.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The 2001 County Youth Service user survey specifically commends:

· The positive working relationship between young people and youth workers

· The increasing confidence, improving relationships, and new opportunities and skills attained by young people as a result of their involvement in Youth Service projects

6.2 The survey also indicates the need to further develop:

· Approaches and mechanisms for further involving young people in decision-making and planning

· Opportunities which make young people think and have explicit educational outcomes

7. Recommendations

(1) That the Panel welcomes the high level of satisfaction indicated by young people in the 2001 County Youth Service user survey.

(2) That the results of the survey be used by the County Youth Service, the Connexions Partnership and by the Joint Services for Youth Best Value Review Team, to help plan improvements to the services offered to young people in Hampshire.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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