Best Practice Unit Briefing Paper
2 Best Practice Unit Briefing Paper
The Best Practice Unit The Best Practice Unit (BPU) was established in 2009, with funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies. The vision of the BPU is to position Foróige as a world class leader in developing and delivering outcomes focused, evidence based resources which facilitate the development of staff, volunteers and most importantly young people, in line with international best practice. The unit sets out to promote greater consistency in practice, grow an ethos of knowledge and resource sharing, as well as improve standards in training and support. The work of the unit sparks and supports a change process within the organisation which is also affecting the broader Irish Youth Work Sector, contributing to both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Irish Youth Justice Service plans for change, assessment and quality service delivery. The BPU Programmes The BPU is responsible for manualising programmes: Citizenship Leadership Relationships and Sexuality Youth Offending Behaviour Entrepreneurship Drugs Education Health & Well-being 3
Best Practice Unit Briefing Paper r e eth og g t Youth Citizenship in rk Wo The Citizenship programme, which was established by Foróige in CITIZENSHIP MaNual 1969, is an essential part of the organisation s work and central to the achievement of its purpose. It is based on the belief that every young person can make a real difference to the world around them. Each can contribute something important to their community. The programme facilitates young people in exploring the needs of the community, developing a plan of action, and evaluating the results of their citizenship project. Albert Schweitzer s Leadership for Life One of Foróige s eight programmes since its inception in 1952, has been leadership. The development of young people as leaders is an important part of the work of the organisation. The Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life programme is an enhanced year-long programme developed by the BPU, which incorporates ALBERT SCHWEITZER S LEADERSHIP FOR LIFE PROGRAMME FACILITATOR S MANUAL MODULE 1 3 modules. These modules look at leadership skills, individual leadership goals, research skills, team projects and culminates in an individual community action project. The 3 modules when completed, are awarded a Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action by NUI Galway, the first of its kind in the country. To date, 131 young people have completed and graduated from this course with NUI Galway. The programme now runs in clubs, projects and schools across the country, as well as annually at the International Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Conference based in Dublin. 4
Relationships Explored and Life Uncovered (REAL U) The REAL U manual (Relationships Explored and Life Uncovered) is a personal development and sex education programme, aimed at equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to develop healthy relationships and delay the onset of early sexual activity. This manual has been developed as a way of exploring a number of relevant topics with young people including puberty, body image, reproduction, sexuality, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, relationships, boundaries and emotional well-being. It is designed to be used with young people aged 12-18 years in a group work setting. The resource facilitates the development of skills in relation to decision making and communication, to promote positive wellbeing and confidence in relationships. REAL U Relationships explored and life uncovered... Facilitator s Manual... crisispregnancyprogramme A Life of Choices This manual has been developed to enhance our engagement with young people at risk and enable them to explore crime related issues. It has been developed as a way of exploring pro-social behaviour, motivation, life choices and offending behaviour. It is designed to be used with young people aged 12-18 years in a group work setting. The resource focuses on developing core skills and competencies that enable young people make positive life choices. Modules in this manual have been tailored to be fun and engaging, as well as challenging. Themes considered central to this resource include social skills, life skills, responsibility, respect, valuing self, impulse control, motivation to change, empathy, civic engagement, and delayed gratification. 5
* offence-focused Best Practice Unit Briefing Paper Changing Habits and Reaching Targets CHART is - Changing Habits And Reaching Targets Changing Habits and Reaching Targets (CHART) is an Australian Cognitive Behavioural Tool to help young people explore and change their patterns of behaviour around offending. It is a one-to-one intervention, based on the what works approach to offender rehabilitation. It contains core and elective components that explore thoughts, feelings and behaviour to ultimately lead to behaviour change. The Programme not just a programme but a way of working Modular, structured, sequential intervention PLUS offence-specific behaviours and needs 6 CORE modules Mapping my Offences Healthy Relationships Motivation to Change Violence Thinking and Offending Motor Vehicle Offending Problem-solving Drugs and Alcohol Lifestyle Balance Living Independently CHART is designed to be a practical tool to support casework with young offenders employ a skills-oriented, cognitive-behavioural focus be clearly directive in its approach to intervention use active, participatory learning methods 6 DISCRETIONARY modules Developing HABITS that will change Worksheets for each session * visually engaging * adolescent-appropriate * systematic Published by Youth Services and Youth Justice Branch 2009 Department of Human Services * evidence-based Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is an all-island entrepreneurship programme operated by Foróige. NFTE provides entrepreneurship education to young people living in low-income communities. NFTE participants are given a seed grant to set up and run their own business. In doing so, they gain key skills in all aspects of entrepreneurship. NFTE s main objectives are to increase school completion & college attendance, promote self-belief, build communication skills and develop knowledge and interest in business. 6
It s Up To YOU Foróige s It s up to YOU resource enables volunteers to explore and challenge issues in relation to drugs and alcohol with young people. Included in the resource are interactive activities aimed at enhancing the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of young people in relation to drug and alcohol use as well as developing life skills such as communication, decision making and assertiveness. It s up to YOU was developed in conjunction with Drug Education Projects funded by the Midlands Regional Drugs Task Force, the South Western Regional Drugs Task Force and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Putting The Pieces Together Putting the Pieces Together is a comprehensive drug and alcohol resource developed in conjunction with the Western Region Drugs Task Force and AIDS West. This resource incorporates drug and alcohol related activities for staff to use with young people. It also looks at the area of brief interventions and uses a wide variety of methodologies to challenge and explore drug and alcohol use in Ireland today. Be Healthy, Be Happy Foróige s Health and Well-being programme, Be Healthy, Be Happy is a holistic programme exploring physical, social, mental and spiritual health enabling young people to identify factors which influence and impact their health and well-being. It creates opportunities to increase knowledge and challenge attitudes in relation to health and enhances participants skill set to assist them in making healthier choices now and for the future. The resource can be used by staff and volunteers to facilitate a comprehensive health education programme with topics such as nutrition, hygiene, communication, bullying, recognising mental health problems, problem-solving, spiritual qualities and relaxation activities. Physical Be Healthy Be Happy : ) Health & Well-being Programme Facilitator s Manual MODULE 1 S o c i a l Spiritual Mental 7
Evidencing Success The BPU has embarked on a number of studies to explore the impact of youth work in an Irish context in conjunction with the Child and Family Research Centre in NUI Galway. The BPU has an advisory board with oversight from practitioners and academics nationally and internationally. The BPU also has a youth advisory group who advise on the work carried out by the unit. Volunteer-Led Youth Work Study This study explored the impact of volunteer-led youth work on the lives of a random sample of young people involved in Foróige clubs. The outcomes indicate that community awareness-belonging was significantly different between the beginning of the club year and the end of the club year. There were also positive trends on all except one of the other measures used. Community connectedness has the potential to positively impact well-being and social support and is thus a promising finding. Volunteer-led Youth Clubs Youth Club Outcomes in Foróige Volunteer-led Youth Clubs Research Report 2012 Undertaken by the School of Political Science and Sociology,, NUI Galway Youth Citizenship Research This study explored the impact of being involved in a citizenship programme for young people. The study is almost finalised and is demonstrating positive findings. Of most significance is that a higher perceived competence to take action on community issues is evident. Citizenship The Foróige Youth Citizenship Programme Evaluation Report Undertaken by the UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, NUI Galway Youth Leadership Research This study is currently exploring the impact of being involved in the ASLFL programme over the course of one year. Results are looking positive in a number of areas such as decision making, communication skills, social supports, leadership skills etc. Further longitudinal research and analysis is ongoing. Leadership Foróige s Leadership for Life Programme Evaluation Report Undertaken by the UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, NUI Galway 8
Correlate Correlate is an online resource for case management and outcomes measurement. This tool enables staff to record the details of participants and their programme involvement, as well as track outcomes using pre and post questionnaires to explore the impact of programmes. While in its infancy, it is promising to be an invaluable tool to quantitatively explore the engagement of young people in Foróige projects and services, as well as the impact of this engagement. Training within Foróige Needs & Assets Assessment Techniques in assessing the needs of adolescents are outlined in this resource. These approaches include both qualitative and quantitative supports and guides as well as provides a comprehensive needs assessment tool for youth workers to holistically assess the needs and assets of young people they engage with. What s the Focus? Needs & Assets Assessment for Foróige Staff Produced by Foróige s Best Practice Unit Outcomes Focus Programme Design What s the Plan? A Logic Model Resource for Foróige Staff Produced by Foróige s Best Practice Unit Designing programmes that are needs-led and focused on the appropriate outcomes is a core part of the work of the BPU. This approach incorporates the logic model which positions staff towards developing programmes to meet the real needs of the young people they serve. How are we doing? Evaluation Training In conjunction with the Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway, the BPU has provided training and follow-up support to staff nationally around evaluation tools, analysis and presentation of findings. This training provides staff with practical skills and tools to evaluate their work in both a qualitative and quantitative way. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre School of Political Science and Sociology National University of Ireland, Galway Tel: 00 353 91 495398 www.childandfamilyresearch.ie An Evaluation Resource for Foróige Staff Young People Leading Happier, 9
Partnering with Other Organisations National Youth Council of Ireland The BPU has held partnered seminars with the NYCI to share the learning we have garnered with other organisations from carrying out outcomes focused programme design using the logic model and evaluation training with our staff. More seminars will be planned for 2012. Irish Youth Justice Service The BPU has partnered with IYJS in supporting the development and implementation of best practice within the network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects through the development of the GYDP - Best Practice Initiative. This work incorporates exploring international approaches to what works for youth offending, as well as a logic model approach. This service reaches GYDP s beyond Foróige. The BPU also liaise and partner with other organisations in the development of their resources. These organisations include the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme, BeLongTo, The Marie Keating Foundation, The Rape Crisis Network Ireland, National University of Ireland Galway, Penn State University USA, Inspire Ireland. 10
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Foróige Best Practice Unit Invent Centre, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland. Phone: 01 700 7429 www.foroige.ie 12