Learning and Working in Homeless contexts

Human Needs – Maslow’s Hierarchy

Learning The experience of homelessness is in itself a learning experience What learning and knowledge do people acquire in the contexts of homelessness? How is this useful to them? How can we make the most of this learning?

What kinds of learning do people miss out on? Why? Does this matter? What are the effects of this?

Lawless and Corr (2005) identified low levels of educational attainment among the Irish homeless population: For 25% of the study population, primary education or less was the highest level reached, 50% reported lower secondary education, 15% reported upper secondary education only 6% completed higher education Homeless people are significantly more likely to have an intellectual disability than the general population (Oakes and Davies 2008). Lawless C and Corr C, 2005 Drug Use Among the Homeless Population in Ireland: A Report for the National Advisory Council on Drugs’, Merchants Quay Ireland Oakes PM; Davies RC (2008). Intellectual disability in homeless adults: a prevalence study.; Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 2008 Dec; 12 (4): Intellectual disability in homeless adults: a prevalence study.

Other factors interfering with formal learning in children and adolescents Lack of stable, consistent, supportive educational environment school/ home Physical status – illness, nutritional state, energy levels Mental health issues – anxiety, fear, poor self worth, mental illness, concentration ability Substance/alcohol use Social – value placed on education by own culture Financial – being able to keep a child in school

Employment The Irish Constitution recognises a right to work for every citizen in the country and is under a duty to protect the earning of livelihoods from unjust attack. It stipulates that: “The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing…that the citizens (all of whom, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood) may through their occupations find the means of making reasonable provision for their domestic needs.” Constitution of Ireland – Bunreacht Na hÉireann, November 2004

Is work important? Why?

Groups at risk of worklessness lone parents younger people with no formal education achievements (up to Leaving Cert) disabled people homeless people members of minority ethnic groups older workers those involved in the informal economy offenders and ex-prisoners While it must be stressed that not all individuals within these groups are workless, being a member of these groups, however, increases the risk of being workless. Bourke 2010

Barriers to employment in homeless contexts Motivation and readiness (more on this later) Health (Physical, Mental) and addiction problems affecting ability to work and issues around disclosure - stigma Housing – temporary or emergency housing not attractive to employers Structure of Social welfare benefits – if poorer when working – disincentive to work Chaotic living environments and patterns not conducive to job seeking and maintaining employment Lack of job seeking skills Regular paid employment may not be part of person’s life experience/culture Barriers to Employment Multiple Barriers, Multiple Solutions : Inclusion Into and Through Employment For People Who are Homeless in Europe National Report for Ireland July 2007 Dublin Simon

Overcrowding, economically deprived areas with limited employment option Lack of skills/ training/education for the job Availability of information, bureaucracy Legal status of migrants Other commitments and priorities Stigma and prejudice Criminal record Lack of work experience Behavioural issues Hygiene issues Disempowerment Check out dont-just-get-a-jobhttp:// dont-just-get-a-job