Anger over MP's Connexions criticism

mas - 31 July 2009

[quote user="Darren Coyne"]

Adult support - please define, because I was under the immpression that many young people, whilst refererd to as young people and not children are therfore adults themselves (Young adults) and so capable of making their own decisions or are you so fabtastic that they need not think for themsevles - as for hair styles, do as you wish!

And adults never need support be they young or old?

@Gods I do agree to a point at what you're saying re. class - its a fact that I often ended up with the 'naughty/cheeky boys' whether that was theirs or my choice either through empathy or feeling they could relate I don't know. What I do know is that my working class & colourful upbringing is not where I am now - no matter how working class I may claim to be I'm not - it irritates me when wealthy politicians make the same claim "we're one of you (just ignore the 2 houses & 3 cars)!"

Charlotte has it right for me - if you're genuine about challenging prejudice it works both ways.

Stewart Nicolson - 31 July 2009

Huzzah Speccy! Well put! Thanks for pulling this debate back from individual case studies about who hates/loves whom and back the the real topic.    

Speccy - 31 July 2009

First an apology! God's lonely youth worker- I'm sorry for my mischievous and inflamatory comments in my recent post. My intention was to broaden the debate and I clearly missed the pulse! Below is what I hope to be a more helpful attempt at continuing this exciting conversation. 

"So has Connexions failed? The answer lies in whether the service has delivered on the outcomes set by the government.

These were to reduce the numbers of 16- to 18-year-old Neets, to increase participation of young people in learning, and to maintain an accurate database of all 13- to 19-year-olds and 13- to 24-year-olds with additional needs.

Connexions has been hugely successful at delivering these outcomes. We have more young people learning than ever before and today, when unemployment is rising fast, the figure for 16- to 18-year-olds in the Neet category is holding firm and reducing in many areas of the country. This is evidenced by facts and endless Ofsted and National Audit Office reports.

Ironically, Connexions welcomes the recent national focus on careers IAG. It's something we've been campaigning for and we look forward to the government's IAG strategy in the autumn." (Steve Stewart, chief executive, Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire)

I'm a Youth Worker in the voluntary sector, without a Connexions agenda. However, I have seen young people well supported by the service by people who really want to meet young people where they are at. At a national level, against the targets set for the service, they have met what was asked of them. Maybe it's a case of Connexions being asked to climb up a ladder that is leaning against the wrong wall!

There are clearly many holes in the Connexions strategy and it is at odds with many of the values we youth workers hold dear- however, I believe that New Labour must take ownership for the misguided agenda that we call Connexions.

There seems to be two strands to this debate. Firstly, the question "Is Connexions and the theory behind it valid/ best way to support young people?" Secondly, "Has it failed or been successful at what it has done?"

I would not want my youth work to be judged against Connexions targets/ values since I do not set out to work with young people in that way- we have a different strategy. In the same way, I do not judge Connexions against values and targets that are not even on their radar.

So, for me, the question is one about the view of young people that lies behind the policies written at national level. What would it take for us to write policy that facilitates varied but consistent approaches to supporting and empowering young people, where they are at, on their terms, recognising their agenda and ours, on a national scale?

Gods lonely youthworker . - 31 July 2009

[quote user="Darren Coyne"]...Connexions - to each and every one of these lads serves no purpose, doesn't care and they will not waste their time going back. Indeed, the lad in question has been told by his connextions adviser that he will be taken care of by the jobcentere thus no need for him to contact connexions anymore, also, he is 19 soon and is not within their bracket....[/quote]

Always refreshing to see someone elses head above the parapet.  It gets very lonely up here.  I keep hearing the rumblings of support somewhere behind the barricade but I think its just another one of those hidden gatherings where people can flex their radical intentions without actually doing anything at all.  Get ready for the bullets, Darren.  There will be few but they will be well-aimed. 

nerrad enyoc - 30 July 2009

18 yr old young mean from an estate that is feared amongst most withing the locality. Loses his job to redundancy (which he got without help from connexions as they couldn't help him - he needed to earn you see), believes it's the fault of immigration (BNP pedal their nonsense in this estate) mainly because it's the only answer he's got that makes any sense to him and which he is able to articulate. it's also the belief of others on the estate, indeed, it's the dominant belief!!

He goes to the state, who put him on JSA, with all the accompanying conditions (responsibilities), which puts his back up even more and compounds the politics of 'us and them' and the accompanying attitude people of a certain background feel toward those of another background, the latter generally being professionals who are middle class, or at least have a middle class perspective, which is alien to the perspective of this young man and his peers.

The JSA adviser tells him that he must be available to work and actively seeking work, his response is 'I'm here arnt I' but no help is forthcoming except for a re-assertion of the penalties of not doing what the system expects of you, although that very system in his mind is what is responsible for his present situation -  for him this is absurd.

He is directed to the low paid and unskilled work - cleaning jobs and the like, which he applies for but is told he is not qualified to be a cleaner and is promptly rejected from any such post. This knocks his confidence and any faith he may have had up to this point.

By this time he has been to his parents who rely on his contribution to the family income and told them he's lost his job - their reaction is not one of support, rather they resent him.

Eventually he comes into strife with the JCP as he turned up late to sign on, his JSA was stopped. he went home told his parents and was promptly thrown out of the house - homelessness is now an experience he is faced with.

He approached me as someone who he saw as independant from his family, other provders etc. I work as a youth rights worker, on a consulatancy basis for a West Yorkshire based organisation that work to promote Rcial Justice, The Protection of Civil Liberties and Human Rights. I have worked with this lad in a very racist and insular estate bridging a divide between this estate and a predominatly Asian area, a divide that is built up on suspicion and media amplifictaion of both areas (the white area being stereotyped as a no go area and the asian area being stereotyped as fundamentalist - young people, generally young men being labelled in this way). 

Fosteringnderstanding between these communities is the basis of my work, demonstrating one is not in a better position than the other in times of recession and the myths they hold of each other are just that 'Myth'.

I took him along to a local voluntary social housing project who helped with his rapid reclaim to JSA and promised him a key worker who  would support his homlessness - they never re-contacted him until we chased them upon his behalf, by which time he had lost of faith in that organisation as they let him down.

In the meantime he secured accomodation with his aunt, on temp basis and as he was settled could continue the commitment to the work we are doing - bare in mind the beliefs this young man had when I began working with him were entirely racist due to his experiences. He now works alongside me and three other young men (all from both the asian and white area) with aspirations to become youth rights workers, forming an alliance that will reach out to youth across West Yorkshire, empowering youth who do not and will not get involved in tradional forms of youth work, for many reasons, some of which we have allured in previous discussions.

Connexions - to each and every one of these lads serves no purpose, doesn't care and they will not waste their time going back. Indeed, the lad in question has been told by his connextions adviser that he will be taken care of by the jobcentere thus no need for him to contact connexions anymore, also, he is 19 soon and is not within their bracket.

Public services - that's what they'l be studying and I got to this stage with them simply by listening to them and letting them find their own path in and amongst finding their own perpsective independant of other influences.

Space is what they needed, faith within themselves, not the system and some suit or woolley jumper that belives their way is the right way.

These lads will eventually be in a position to put their experience to good use, but will they refer to the statutory services such as youth services, connexions and jobcentreplus - I very much doubt it!!

Get out of your offices (suits) and engage, people will respect you for it -  nowt to be scared of, most of the fear is simply perception and a little ignorance - sorry if that makes me arrogant, but there you go!

Fact is - as stated before, connexions is about ticking boxes, hiding behind excuses and ultimately never fails to FAIL!

Take that as personal criticism to individual advisers of you like or one aimed at a system which controls, your choice, either way my reality does not sit with yours.

Adult support - please define, because I was under the immpression that many young people, whilst refererd to as young people and not children are therfore adults themselves (Young adults) and so capable of making their own decisions or are you so fabtastic that they need not think for themsevles - as for hair styles, do as you wish!

David McCullough - 30 July 2009

[quote user="stella fifton"]But let me just advise you that Connexions took over alot of the old Careers Services so when you slate them, you are slating the excellent work that Careers Advisers are doing and have done. [/quote]

Hang on Stella,

I don't think that stating people's individual negative experiences with their local Connexions is slating the careers service as a whole at all, especially when you then go on to say that some PAs are good, some are not.

Gods lonely youthworker . - 30 July 2009

It’s a funny old issue this and it is also an important one but a totally ethereal one - you just can’t seem to grab it long enough to take a long hard look at it.  It obviously has a lot to do with personal class perspective but it also touches on behavioural psychology (behaviourism).  I’ve discussed this many, many times with middle-class people who passionately deny that their class status has any impact or influence on social situations.    

Charlotte Goddard - 30 July 2009

[quote user="Darren Coyne"]stop making excuses, arguing between professions and remeber those you are there to serve. Work with YP, not against them, which is what you end up doing when you take a service to them as opposed to consult them.[/quote] 

Darren, I think that is very well said.

[quote user="Darren Coyne"]YP know when they are being taken for a ride, and in my experience they don't relates to suits or middle class youth workers in woolley jumpers with scruffy hair.[/quote] 

However, I'm not sure about this -  I don't think that youth workers or people working with young people generally should agonise over what they are wearing  - doesn't it sent a bit of a rubbish message to young people if workers feel they have to alter how they dress and who they are in order to connect with them? Isn't it better to be yourself?

mas - 29 July 2009

[quote user="Darren Coyne"] YP know when they are being taken for a ride, and in my experience they don't relates to suits or middle class youth workers in woolley jumpers with scruffy hair.

Get with times people - YP need spaces they can truely call their own and be given the responsibility to determine their own direction. YP will advise YP better than some connexions adviser will if they are given access to the resources needed to do so.

[/quote]

Please share from your experience what clothing and what kind of hairstyle is most effective for working with "YP"?

More usefully what do you think the resources are that young people need to be able to do what you propose?

It sounds as though you're suggesting young people would be better off with no adult support at all is that correct? (Or is it just adults with relevant clothing & hair that are needed?)

AVRIL WOOSTER - 29 July 2009

Darren, I work with youg people and have done for the past 24 years in many different arenas from youth clubs to Drop In centres,Appropriate Adult! and now with young witnesses.I am wondering if I fit into your sterotype as I have scruffy hair and in winter may wear a wooly jumper and am possibly middle classed whatever that is, does this mean that I have no rapport with young people and that I am taking them for a ride???I would not be doing a job I truly love which is empowering young people in many ways if I thought they were not connecting with me or me with them.

I agree wholeheartedly with you that YP should be listened to, empowered and given their own space to just be young people, this is something that has been lost over the years mainly due to Government intervention and the forming of Connexions which is "establishment".It is vital that young people are encouraged to speak to politicians,local councillors and the youth service about their needs, they should be listened to and the "bigwigs" should heed what they are being told.

It is also vital that young people are encouraged and trained to be youth workers and that it is not just us "oldies " facillitating what we think their \(YPs) needs are although hopefully a mix of ALL would be the ideal.

nerrad enyoc - 29 July 2009

bet your great at talking to YP - it seems you are all more interested in yourselves 'how great you are' as opposed to looking for solutions to the problem, which to be fair, we must all admit, there is a problem, connexions is failing Yp up and down the country.

maybe we should give credit and put our trust in YP to be in a posistion to better advise YP. Professionals all too often fail to reacognise that youing people are BEING LET DOWN whilst the professional are ticking boxes - no ones interested as to who's fault it is, whether that be incompetent connexions advisers or incompetent politicians, all are out of touch with reality, the reality of YP that is!!

stop making excuses, arguing between professions and remeber those you are there to serve. Work with YP, not against them, which is what you end up doing when you take a service to them as opposed to consult them.

YP know when they are being taken for a ride, and in my experience they don't relates to suits or middle class youth workers in woolley jumpers with scruffy hair.

Get with times people - YP need spaces they can truely call their own and be given the responsibility to determine their own direction. YP will advise YP better than some connexions adviser will if they are given access to the resources needed to do so.

 You're too busy seeking control over our youth that you forget to respect them!!

Gods lonely youthworker . - 29 July 2009

[quote user="Speccy"]God's, I find your style arrogant and consistent with the thinly veiled insecurity of many youth workers I have encountered ever since the inception of the Connexions service. You come across as if you think yourself better than others as you constuct straw men and wow everyone with your brilliance as you knock them over![/quote]

Maxine SAVING - 28 July 2009

As an ex connexions worker I, as many of my colleagues working in the schools arena prided ourselves on providing high quality IAG. But as many have already said, MPS have used Connexions as a vehicle to mobilise their own career agendas and make names for themselves, constantly changing the goalposts. As a result, many passionate and committed staff working in the Connexions service have seen their professionalism deskilled through government interference, to the the point where most are simply making NEET calls and inputting data onto a cumbersome and complicated datatbase, for the purpose of government statistics. Stats don't help young people, face to face work does!!

Speccy - 28 July 2009

God's, I find your style arrogant and consistent with the thinly veiled insecurity of many youth workers I have encountered ever since the inception of the Connexions service. You come across as if you think yourself better than others as you constuct straw men and wow everyone with your brilliance as you knock them over!

 I think there are few people within the Connexions service who would argue that Connexions nationally has not done a great job with schools-based career guidance, but as others have said this is often adversely affected by schools who are slow to engage fully with the latest agendas (including new forms of CEIAG- Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) and who have their own internal strategies fo supporting young people.

 The Government seem to have created a lot of resentment in the setting up of the Connexions service (hence all this retrospective gloating from many sides!) and they will hopefully learn that forcing an agenda on young people's services is not the way forward!

I think it would be fair to point one of these many pointing fingers firmly at a Labour government that loves to massage statistics and see how they fare under the microscope.

Stewart Nicolson - 28 July 2009

I work for the Connexions service and I'd like to make two points:

1) The quality of Connexions services is variable. Some are better than others.

2) Since we were founded in 2001 we have never been left alone to do the job. It seems like every few months there's a new directive and a new direction (I don't think that's an uncommon complaint). Our resources have been continually cut and although everyone recognises that it would be a good idea to do some preventative work at the younger end of our age range, we are primarily measured by the Government on our NEET figure, which we are able to influence but don't really control.      

georgina daly - 22 July 2009

I am extremely dissapointed in the destructive comments made by a Minister who obviously does not truely know or understand the complex work of Connexions Advisers. I have worked 22 years within guidance service and have seen many changes to our ways of working. My colleagues have endured many complex and challenging changes and have responded positively and passionately. We work harder now than ever before supporting young people with a range of needs and complex issues as well as those who just require the traditional simple 'careers guidance' chats.

Staff within Connexions services have been expected to adapt and adopt new ways of working which we have done with great professionalism. Mr Milburn's comments are just downright demoralising, illjudged and irresponsible.

Denise Bertuchi - 21 July 2009

UNISON is dismayed by the conclusions drawn in the report about the delivery of the Careers and Connexions service. It fails to recognise the complexity that exists in delivering careers advice and the cross cutting areas that are involved with this. No reference has been made to the wholesale structural changes and cuts that the service has had to endure and the impact that this has had on the service. To make these comments is irresponsible,illjudged and unsubstantiated. The current lack of an overall policy framework, joined up government thinking and assurances of minimum provision mean that a post-code lottery exists across the UK. The Government's decision in 2005 to devolve management and funding for careers services from Connexions Partnerships to local authorities has also affected the delivery of careers guidance to young people. Whilst all local authorities are required to continue delivering careers guidance through the Connexions brand, the model of delivery is no longer consistent. Some local authorities have decided to retain an independent careers service, whilst others have sought to take it in-house.

Furthermore, with funding now part of local authorities' mainstream budgets, spending cuts on careers guidance have been widespread, and the quantity and quality of Connexions' careers guidance now varies from one local authority to the next.

Denise Bertuchi

UNISON

Shell scott - 26 June 2009

My own experience of Connexions have all been negative. I am the mother of 3 teens; I hate the way they are so sneaky and yet have nothing to offer the young people they insist on spying on.

Gods lonely youthworker . - 26 June 2009

[quote user="mas"] clothing matters if you make it matter - in much the same way as you might think young people won't want to talk to you if you wear a suit you can be sure that they're mocking your choice of trainers/trousers/coat and your hairstyle no matter how cool you think it is.[/quote]

I merely suggested the association of a suit to a position of authority and how this may effect a relationship between young person and the person wearing the suit.  I did not say young people would not talk to people in suits.  I know young people will mock my trainers and my (lack of) hairstyle but neither will intimidate young people the way a suit would.  (I hope!!) 

[quote user="mas"] Young people do not own the internet - funnily enough it was around before they were. Its a shared space and one that increasingly you can shape as best suits you regardless of age. Connexions Direct isn't just available online they even have an old fashioned phone option and if you accept its a good resource and you work with young people who are unaware of it but could benefit from it isn't it your role to make them aware of it and best support them to access it? [/quote]  Well maybe it is my own technophobia that assumes young people are hungrier consumers of information technology than the older members of society.  Either way, I always seem to be 10 steps behind them.  To your point about making young people aware of Connexions Direct.  How do you think I found out none of them knew about it?

stella fifton - 26 June 2009

I am feeling that most who are replying have had poor experiences of Connexions.  But let me just advise you that Connexions took over alot of the old Careers Services so when you slate them, you are slating the excellent work that Careers Advisers are doing and have done.  Not all Connexions services are bad and as an ex - connexions PA I take offence to some of the remarks that have been written here.

Connexions is a universal service for 13 -19 (up to 25 if they have special needs).  Therefore, they do not just work with NEET young people, they do work evenings in youth clubs and also go into school.  Some PAs are good, some are not.  This MP obviously did not go round to all Connexions centres in the UK.

I am not looking for a response but like I said before ... there are good and bad in all organisations including your own.  We have to work with what we have so if it is poor in your area then do something about it but don't tarnish all Connexions as bad cos there is alot of good going on. 

mas - 26 June 2009

clothing matters if you make it matter - in much the same way as you might think young people won't want to talk to you if you wear a suit you can be sure that they're mocking your choice of trainers/trousers/coat and your hairstyle no matter how cool you think it is.

Young people do not own the internet - funnily enough it was around before they were. Its a shared space and one that increasingly you can shape as best suits you regardless of age. Connexions Direct isn't just available online they even have an old fashioned phone option and if you accept its a good resource and you work with young people who are unaware of it but could benefit from it isn't it your role to make them aware of it and best support them to access it?

Gods lonely youthworker . - 26 June 2009

[quote user="mas"]Incidentally I don't think it matters at all what clothing people choose to wear.[/quote]

It shouldn't matter but it clearly does.  Let's not lose sight of reality.  A suit can be seen as much a part of the "establishment" as a coppers uniform.  I certainly wouldn't be making a reconnaissance of a community's "hot spot" in a Marks and Spencers two-piecer.

Gods lonely youthworker . - 26 June 2009

[quote user="Katie Foley"]Connexions Direct is available for young people 7 days a week. [/quote]  Within the current groups I work with, not one single young person was aware of Connexions Direct.  I tend to find that the more marginalized groups don’t have that much to do with Connexions – which seems a little like a paradox.  What was probably more relevant was that not one of them seemed interested.  I think an Information website for young people is not only a great idea but essential.  Young people own the internet - in fact they have shaped it and continue to shape it as much as it shapes them.  But some groups will not actively seek advice.  And that is a FACT.  So, Connexions Direct is a good resource but it isn’t the answer.  You have a significant section of youth in society who will not readily access the internet for advice and who will not visit “the office”.  We seem to be back to the subject of the great moral impasse again.  This time it is the concept that says “If we build it then they will come…. And if they don’t come then that’s their silly fault!”  [quote user="Katie Foley"]I never ever turn young people away who want advice and guidance whatever their so called status. I also never wear a suit !!!![/quote] That says more about the individual than it does the Service.  I’ve got young people aged 11 and 12 involved in my activities but I know many who would turn them away because they’re outside the age range.  But lets face it.  The Connexions Concept wears a suit.

mas - 26 June 2009

 lol we have a Xmas panto in the making!

@Katie Connexions Direct is very good. Incidentally I don't think it matters at all what clothing people choose to wear.

Gods lonely youthworker . - 26 June 2009

Back to scene 1:  Sometime in 2002.... 

Connexions Service:  Hi we’re the new, exciting Connexions Service.

Connexions Service:  Buggered if we know!  Got any tips?

Katie Foley - 26 June 2009

Just to clear up a couple of things - Connexions Direct is available for young people 7 days a week.

Young people are not classed as NEET until after their school leaving date and are not in post 16 education/employment or training. I never ever turn young people away who want advice and guidance whatever their so called status.

I also never wear a suit !!!!

mas - 26 June 2009

it doesn't represent any Connexions Andrew - its a joke, you know about stuff like "and let's be honest, the government only cares about reducing NEET figures"

Andrew Thomas - 26 June 2009

i don't know which connexions that represents but that doesn't represent what happens here

mas - 25 June 2009

PA: "so young man what can I do for you?"

YP: "I'd like some advice please"

PA: "ok - are you at school?"

YP: "er no I took some time off to come and see you"

PA: "ah but then technically at this moment you're not in education, employment or training - that means right now you're a NEET!"

YP: "erm ok, can I get some advice then"

PA: "of course you can, now you're in our target group, what can I do for you?"

........

PA: "Well I hope that helps, now where are you off to for the rest of the day?"

YP: "I'm going back to school, we're doing P.E. this afternoon"

PA: "ah great news that means you're no longer a NEET - I'll just update our figures....."

Andrew Thomas - 25 June 2009

i didn't say that it was an endorsement, it is a criticism of other connexions services as they are not doing everything that they can to help YP, and on opening times, if a 13yr old comes to our office during work hours when they should be at school then that is a problem that we challenge by asking them why they are not at school.

our opening times are not strictly 9-5, on a thursday we are open until 7pm which means every young person can access the centre.

and let's be honest, the government only cares about reducing NEET figures, and what do NEETs have to do during office hours? nothing that's too productive or they wouldn't be NEET anyway, which means they should have time to access the centre when they want to.

mas - 24 June 2009

If you can explain the common sense that dictates a service for 13-19 year olds is best provided during office hours please do!

If your question re. which areas of England is directed at me theres too many to list - groups from all over the UK attend our training.

 [quote user="Andrew Thomas"]

if a PA sees a YP for whatever reason, they are then allowed to REFUSE to see another YP afterwards, no matter how long they spent with the initial YP, because it isn't their turn

[/quote] 

I don't understand the point you're making here, it doesn't in any case sound like much of an endorsement!

Andrew Thomas - 24 June 2009

i guessed that if i put whenever they want, people would realise just by using common sense that i meant office hours, and may i ask which areas of england you have experienced Connexions, because i have in the past spoken to other services and they work entirely differently to us, for instance, if a PA sees a YP for whatever reason, they are then allowed to REFUSE to see another YP afterwards, no matter how long they spent with the initial YP, because it isn't their turn

Gods lonely youthworker . - 24 June 2009

[quote user="mas"]I think its fair to criticise the service and how its implemented, I don't thik its fair to direct that same criticism at staff... [/quote]

Absolutely!  Which is why I chose my words carefully and referred to the "Connexions Service" and not the "Connexions staff".

mas - 24 June 2009

[quote user="Andrew Thomas"]

our Connexions centre is a complete drop in centre so they can come in whenever they want[/quote] 

Don't you mean during office hours? ;-)

I didn't realise there were EET's as well as NEET's - are there also DWEET's and MEET's?

@Gods I've never worked for Connexions so definitely outside of the service and have seen positive examples of work by Connexions staff. I think its fair to criticise the service and how its implemented, I don't thik its fair to direct that same criticism at staff who ultimately are generally working for the same motivations as everyone else working with young people and very often are working despite or within the limitations of the service and so arguably are doing doubly a good job - imagine what they could do within a better service....

Gods lonely youthworker . - 24 June 2009

It's great to have a balanced representation in any debate but all my experiences of the Connexions Service have been negative experiences and I have never ever heard anything positive about the Connexions Service by anyone outside of the Connexions Service – and that includes young people.  The most ineffective period of my whole youth work experience was during the 12 months when I received funding (and guidelines) from the Connexions Service.   Do I ignore my own experiences?   The recurring defence seems to be “look at the positive and not the negative” of the Connexions Services.  I tend to look at both and then assess the balance.  But in the great scheme of things, my experience is a tiny contribution to the assessment of the service and my opinion is not a conclusion of its value.     

Andrew Thomas - 24 June 2009

there has always been a negative view on the connexions service, not through fault of any1 that works for Connexions but the fact that, like anything else, the bad things are always concentrated on by media and certain politicians, have you not noticed that the good work that Connexions services do aren't mentioned too much, this is not an outside view either, I work for Connexions.

Also, I am 21 and have worked for Connexions for 4 years, which means that I was only 17 when I first started, I have seen the service from both sides, and I have only good things to say about Connexions where I live, I would not be where I am today without the ADVICE & GUIDANCE from Connexions over the years.

And yes it is true that more vulnerable young people tend to get more help from the service but that is because generally, they NEED it more than others, we make it perfectly clear that young people can request an interview anytime and our Connexions centre is a complete drop in centre so they can come in whenever they want, it is just that NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people come in more than EET (in Education, Employment or Training) young people.

Gods lonely youthworker . - 24 June 2009

It’s easy to spout good strategy but there was never any depth to the concept of the Connexions Service.    I remember when the Connexions Service was being piloted in my area and I was visited by 2 besuited women who told me they were here to meet local young people's needs for information, advice and support.  “Me too!”, I said.  “Shall I get my coat?”  When I asked them about their methods for contacting and engaging the “difficult to reach” they looked confused.   I knew then that this was the beginning of the end. 

mas - 23 June 2009

 "The Connexions service was established in 2001 with the aim of providing a

comprehensive service to meet young people's needs for information, advice

and support.

Through multi-agency working, Connexions provides high quality, impartial,

information, advice and guidance (including careers advice & guidance),

together with access to personal development opportunities to help remove

barriers to learning and progression and ensure young people make a smooth

transition to adulthood and working life. As part of the service, a dedicated

website, Connexions Direct, is available for young people aged 13 to 19."

All of that sounds like a good idea to me - my only real criticism of the above is that it never has made any sense to exclude young people in the younger age ranges - it creates a reactive & firefighting service which has always been my main criticism of services for young people. Theres been much talk of being proactive and preventative but no evidence that anyone with any clout actually understands what those things actually are.

A comprehensive service - sounds good, meeting young peoples needs for information, advice & support - sounds good, multi agency working (sounds like a fantasy), personal development opportunities etc. etc. sounds good.

Some of the Connexions workers we've worked with have been outstanding - generally though they've been people that seem to do what they do despite the service rather than because of it. To me that suggests the problem isn't with the idea or the vision, its the implementation & management.

Gods lonely youthworker . - 23 June 2009

Can I just ask a burning question at this point?  When did the Connexions Service EVER sound like a good idea?

mas - 23 June 2009

I agree with that Katie - there's a lot of stuff that in principle has seemed like a good idea in recent years but then when implemented doesn't seem to have quite worked out the way it initially sounded - Connexions, V, summer camps etc. etc. huge amounts of funding for little obvious change.

To add a critcism though can those 17 year olds in college access their Connexions centre during evenings and at weekends when they're not in college?

I for one don't think I could be a careers advisor and actually I've been surprised with many of the young people I've worked with how clear they've been from quite early on as to what career path they're following so it can't all be bad.

Katie Foley - 23 June 2009

In general the guidance offered to under 14 year olds tends to be Connexions presence at parents evenings, options evenings and self referral to Connexions advisers in school. In 20 years of experience of working as a careers adviser/Connexions PA, it is true that since Connexions came along we have had less opportunity to work with yr9's. It is also true that we are very dependant on how much time the school wants to give to us especially in yr9. It's not often seen as a priority by them.

As for 17 year olds in college, if people are finding it hard to access their Connexions PA (there is often only one person attached to a college campus) they can always call in to their local Connexions centre.

It has always been easy to criticise Connexions workers, everybody thinks that they can do our job - isn't that the same for many of us working with young people? The Connexions service was a good idea in principle but the way it was implemented has done the people who work for the organisation untold damage in terms of our professional reputation.

mas - 23 June 2009

[quote user="stella fifton"]

I think we all know that there are good and bad in all organisations .... lets just remember that.  Sweeping statements like these do not help.. lets remain professional .. remember . let he cast 1st stone...

[/quote] 

I don't follow your meaning there Stella? (except that sweeping statements 'he is an eejit' isn't very useful, no!).

If a survey finds that 70% of 13 year olds have had no careers guidance it seems reasonable to challenge the service that supposedly works with that age group as to why thats the case - the co-chair of that service then responding by stating "Connexions is primarily a service for 14- to 19-year-olds, so rarely gives careers advice to under 14s" seems at odds with a service that was created under the premise of being "designed to help all young people aged 13 to 19 regardless of

need, and those aged up to 24 with a learning difficulty or

disability."

Given that, I'd expect a more thorough reply than "its not really our problem"

Ken Reynolds - 23 June 2009

If I remember rightly, Alan Milburn was a member of the Government that introduced Connexions when Labour came to power in 1997. David Blunkett was the Secretary of State mostly to blame for the ill-conceived notion of a one-stop shop for young people. In creating Connexions, he broke promises made to guidance practitioners before the election and destroyed what was a perfectly good careers service in England.

stella fifton - 23 June 2009

I think we all know that there are good and bad in all organisations .... lets just remember that.  Sweeping statements like these do not help.. lets remain professional .. remember . let he cast 1st stone...

nerrad enyoc - 22 June 2009

As a professional working with young people - many aged 14 - 19 - I recognise the comments made by Milburn.

Furthermore, as a parent of a 17 year old I recently had a conversation with a college tutor regards the lack of, and quality of careers advice given to students at the college.

The tutor was shocked by the questions I asked, not because the careers advice of the connexions service is good, but because I had asked in the first place.

The matter was not resolved and my daughter still has not had a good word to say about the careers advice and guidance given by the connexions service.

Fortunately, my daughter has support from within her family.

Many of the young people I work with who are let down by the service do not!

mas - 19 June 2009

"Connexions is primarily a service for 14- to 19-year-olds, so rarely gives careers advice to under 14s, he said."

really? I thought it was 13-19's - at least it is according to their website.... "Are you 13-19? If so, Connexions Direct can offer you all the

information and advice you need to make the decisions and choices in

your life."

Gods lonely youthworker . - 19 June 2009

[quote user="Charles Friel"]Milburn is an eejit![/quote]

 True!  The eejit voted very strongly for the Iraq war and very strongly against an investigation into the Iraq war... and he's a member of the Labour Party.  I can't see any redeeming features at all.  But he's right about the Connexions service though. 

Charles Friel - 19 June 2009

Milburn is an eejit!