Ask the Experts: Raise young people's job prospects
Jeanie Lynch, Tracie Trimmer-Platman, Peter Lewis and June O'Sullivan
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Our panel offers advice on young people's employment, cultivating community spirit, regaining job motivation and discussing depression.
Q: We want to improve the employability of young people living locally. What can we do?
Peter Lewis: There are a number of tried and tested routes but most have only limited impact and results. Government plans for apprenticeships could make a real difference but employers will need to sign up and commit time and resources. You could start to lay some foundations for this.
There is likely to be a hard core of local employers who always step up to these things. An initial conversation with them could be a way into discussion with a broader group. The local Chamber of Commerce and its chief executive are, in my experience, very influential and can bring more people to the table.
There are potential gains all round. Employers should benefit from a cohort of interested and committed young people ready to join the workforce. For young people there is the chance of employment that would not otherwise be there.
Check out the government's consultation document and identify key points you could work on now, no matter what happens later on.
Peter Lewis is a freelance providing interim local authority children's services leadership, and a former DCS in Haringey
Q: The new chair of governors at our nursery wants us to do more to get to know our community. Where should I start?
June O'Sullivan: Nurseries are not just part of the community but a catalyst for bringing people together. As nursery manager you need to do everything you can to ensure your setting is at the heart of a community of local parents and families. It's important your staff understand the wider community where your children live.
Children need help to form a connection to their local area and the best way to do this is to be visible in the community. Go out and about regularly and visit key buildings and services such as the local shops, fire station, library, art gallery, park, old people's home and cafes. Take regular bus trips and go on weekly observational walks. Get children to point out the landmarks they know and create displays about the neighbourhood such as showing how families get to nursery.
On a wider scale, get involved with local events and festivals. Talk to parents and get ideas from them too.
June O'Sullivan is chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation
Q: I have been doing the same job for years and fancy a change but there are not many opportunities. How can I regain my motivation?
Jeanie Lynch: Depending on the size of the organisation you work for, there may be various options you could explore.
One could be a short-term secondment to another department to deliver a "task and finish" piece of work. This can work well for staff who have been with their agency for a while but fancy doing something different without losing job security.
If your organisation has been funded to develop new projects and services, there may also be opportunities to take the lead.
Speak to your manager and try and set some realistic goals for change. Also consider what learning and development opportunities may be available to help you gain new skills. It is in everyone's interest to keep you motivated at work and it may well be there is something perfect for you in the pipeline.
Jeanie Lynch works for Barnardo's and has 25 years' experience of working with vulnerable children and families
Q: Staff at the youth project I manage want to run seminars on depression for our members. However, none of us is a qualified therapist. Should we go ahead?
Tracie Trimmer-Platman: Any opportunity for young people to talk about depression in a safe environment where they don't feel judged has to be a good thing. It does not matter that you are not qualified therapists since you will not be offering therapeutic support.
However, you must be able to provide clear and up-to-date information on how young people can access further support including therapy. Link up with local providers and ensure they know who you are. You need to know when and where young people can get advice and help, the correct procedure for making referrals and whether young people can self-refer.
Encouraging young people to discuss depression can help them explore their own feelings and provide insight into the experiences of others.
Also invite people to your seminars to talk about depression and dispel myths and misunderstandings about treatment.
Email questions, marked "Experts", to cypnow@markallengroup.com