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National report affirms local homeless charity's strategy

A major new report published recently gives a ringing endorsement of the methods used by Step by Step, the Aldershot-based charity which helps young people who are homeless or facing adversity. Getting back on track is New Philanthropy Capital's (NPC) report on supporting the one in ten youth (over 207,000 individuals) who are not in education, employment or training (known as NEETs). It identifies a number of key strategies for successfully helping these young people to improve their lives - strategies which Step by Step has been using for the past ten years.

'Good projects', says the report, 'are those that provide one-to-one support; involve fun, challenging activities; provide a reliable source of support; help young people work towards defined goals; and cultivate good relationships with families and schools'. Although not mentioned specifically in the report, Step by Step Youth Development Services (YDS) have provided exactly that type of support since 1999 and have seen almost half (44%) of their under-19’s progressing into education or employment in the past six months. YDS provide informal training in practical and life skills, as well as offering support and encouragement through key working with regular progress reviews and agreed targets. In addition, help with job applications and, where possible, relevant work experience is also given. Step by Step's new Family Mediation Service and long-standing Peer Education Service - which offers Step by Step’s clients a chance to talk about youth homelessness and its associated issues to their peer group in schools, youth groups and other similar situations - also contribute towards a successful outcome for its young people.

As the report says: 'Making your way in the adult world is daunting for anyone. For most young people… the support they receive from home and school, and the motivation and skills they already have, helps them successfully navigate from school to the workplace... But for many young people, this is not the case. They receive little support at home or through the education system, and struggle to make the transition from school to the workplace.'

A 2002 government study estimates that the lifetime cost to society for each young person out of school, college or work are over £90,000. Amanda Dubarry, Chief Executive of Step by Step, said, “A young person who is NEET has a greater chance of depression in early adulthood and is more likely to use drugs and alcohol. Being homeless adds to this sense of worthlessness and despair and can lead to antisocial behaviour and a withdrawal from normal society. Being NEET imposes a significant burden on the healthcare, social care, and criminal justice systems.”

NPC's objective is to maximise the impact of donors and charities, which it does through independent research, tools for charities and advice for donors. It costs £120,000 per year to fund Step by Step's Youth Development Services, or just £11 a week for each young person. The charity is always delighted to receive financial and practical help from organisations or individuals who recognise the value of the work in helping individual young people, their families and the wider community.

Getting back on track: Helping young people not in employment, education or training in England, a guide for funders and charities – by John Copps & Sarah Keen, was published by New Philanthropy Capital in October 2009 (25pp) and is available on their website.

©2010 Step by Step Partnership Ltd   :   Reg. Charity No. 900308    :   Company No. 2431825