Working on behalf of the Connexions Service National Unit, the team carried out a literature review and ran a survey of Connexions Partnerships, focus groups with young people, and web forums for young people and practitioners.
The subsequent report sets out examples of different models and concepts and explores practical aspects of providing programmes of personal and social development.
The report identifies key characteristics of personal development programmes as being activities that had the young person as the starting point, with an ongoing focus leading to development of the individual in their own right and within society, and forming a process that is flexible in both style and content. Among the important outcomes for the programmes were increased confidence, self-respect and respect for others, enhancement of problem- solving and decision-making, the development of a "can do" attitude and help in making choices and taking responsibility for the consequences of those choices. Among the views expressed by young people contacted for the report were that staff had to be trained, motivated and interested, that personal development had to be available when young people wanted it and programmes should incorporate a wide range of learning styles.
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