Introduction: another point of view

About the book: What are the experiences of children and young people? How can we think about the challenges they face? What systems and practices can support them? How can we develop greater equality, participation and inclusion across diverse settings? This second edition of Equality, Participation and Inclusion 1: Diverse Perspectives is the first of two Readers aimed at people with an interest in issues of equality, participation and inclusion for children and young people. This first Reader focuses in particular on the diverse perspectives held by different practitioners and stakeholders. Comprising readings taken from the latest research in journal articles, newly commissioned chapters, as well as several chapters from the first edition that retain particular relevance, this fully updated second edition has broadened its focus to consider a greater diversity of perspectives. Whilst exploring how we think about the experiences of children and young people across a range of contexts it maintains a subtle, underlying emphasis upon education and the experiences of disabled people. Drawing on the writing of academics, practitioners, children and young people, and people who have experienced exclusion, this book is a rich resource for students and practitioners who are interested in thinking about how inequality and exclusion are experienced, and how they can be challenged. Much of the material reflects on lived experiences and life stories, and will be of particular interest to those working in education, health, youth and community work, youth justice and social services, as well as to families and advocates

The Upstream Research Project: Evaluation Report of the experiences of young people using the Connexions Service in Milton Keynes

One of the main challenges facing services working with young people across voluntary and statutory sectors is to respond to the specific needs of young people from a range of social, educational and ethnic backgrounds and to provide provision at critical stages of their development. Finding out what influences young people to enter or not to enter education, training and employment is one such challenge for service providers who work with children and young people and their communities. This challenge was identified by the service providers of three key agencies in Milton Keynes: the Sure Start local programme, The Children’s Fund and the Connexions Service, Milton Keynes. They discussed issues around how best these services could offer support to young people and their families/carers. One of the ideas was to find out more about young peoples experiences, from the young people themselves through a research project. The concept was to access young people who were in education, training or employment and those that were not through the Connexions Service and to find out about their own experiences and aspirations. This information would then provide a picture of what measures the three services could undertake in providing a more integrated service to responding to young people in their locality. With funding from Connexions MKOB, the Upstream Research Project was developed in partnership with The Open University. This evaluation report identifies a number of themes and issues which have emerged from this pilot project

Young people’s experiences of Personal Advisors and the Connexions service

Purpose – The paper explores young people’s experiences of having access to Personal Advisors, from Connexions, a support and guidance service. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted, in two phases, with young people in a large new town. Thematic analysis highlighted significant issues and suggested factors that might differentiate between those in employment, education and training and those not in this position. Findings –Young people’s relationship with their Connexions Personal Advisor emerged as a significant factor in mediating the extent to which they used the service as a ‘portal’ to opportunities and resources. For some young people faced with complex and challenging circumstances the relationship with their personal advisor provided a uniquely stable and valued source of support

Young People and Inclusion

What are the experiences of children and young people? How can we think about the challenges they face? What systems and practices can support them? How can we develop greater equality, participation and inclusion across diverse settings? This second edition of Equality, Participation and Inclusion 2: Diverse Contexts is the second of two Readers aimed at people with an interest in issues of equality, participation and inclusion for children and young people. This second Reader focuses in particular upon the diverse experiences and contexts in which children and young people encounter issues of equality, participation and inclusion. Comprising readings taken from the latest research in journal articles, newly commissioned chapters, as well as several chapters from the first edition that retain particular relevance, this fully updated second edition has broadened its focus to consider a wider range of diverse experiences and contexts, whilst maintaining an emphasis on educational settings. Drawing on the writing of academics, practitioners, children and young people, this collection is a rich source of information and ideas for students and practitioners who are interested in thinking about how inequality and exclusion are experienced, and how they can be challenged, and will be of particular interest to those working in education, health, youth and community work, youth justice and social services. Families and advocates are also likely to be drawn to the material as much of it reflects on lived experiences and life stories.</p