Activity Agreements: Participants’ Research Presented by Glenys Watt, Director January 2014

“to explore participants’ views in order to understand how best to reach young people furthest from the labour market, how best to support them and what inputs most help them to progress to employment, further learning and training”

Methods Online survey with stakeholders 234 Telephone interviews with Opportunities for All Co-ordinators 6 Focus groups with participants 114 Online survey with participants 426

Findings 98% Staff Supportive 96%Would recommend Activity Agreements to a friend 93%Improved job/college chances 92%Learned new skills 91%Feel more confident

What attracts young people to an Activity Agreement? Acquire new skills/job Support and advice on offer Not in a job or learning Try out new things EMA

What keeps young people engaged? Learn new skills Support from Trusted Professional Trying new things Seeing progress Wanting to achieve something

Support from the Trusted Professional Moral support Practical support “…if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here……”

Why do some people decline an Activity Agreement? No pattern to it Lack of motivation Parents’ resistance Pregnancy Complete lack of self-confidence

Stakeholders’ views Stressed need for more progression Continued and increased capacity for tailored support Work with young people earlier, at school.

Recommendations Getting young people involved: Earlier stage “Activities” at school for vulnerable young people Further marketing and information The role of partners Keeping them engaged: Trusted Professional is core and should be further supported EMA maintained Mixture of activities Work tasters/placements

Recommendations (ctd) Progression Links between Activity Agreements and future potential destinations Systems Keep records of why young people decline Explore amount of hours / days available each week and increase where appropriate