This summary document begins with the assumption that the teenage years represent a time of great change for young people as they face difficult situations and have to tackle issues relating to key life areas – study, money, employment, health, self-esteem and relationships.

Drawing on evidence gathered from the evaluation of the Neighbourhood Support Fund (NSF), it looks at what role community groups can play in working with young people to face these challenges.

The NSF was launched in September 1999 and aimed to work with 13 to 19-year-olds who were disaffected and disengaged or at risk of dropping out, in order to re-engage them with education, employment or training.

The Department for Education and Skills provided £90million over 6 years for 665 NSF projects. The Community Development Foundation (CDF) managed 79% of these and helped community organisations to set up and deliver the work at a local level. This evaluation was carried out by CDF to examine the effectiveness of the interventions.

Focusing on the final 3 years of NSF, the evaluation looked at the community-based and community development nature of the projects. It looked beyond hard and soft outcomes achieved for young people towards community outcomes including involvement in other community activities and outcomes for projects, host organisations and the community and how these contributed to improving young people's lives.

It included longitudinal surveys of young people, surveys of organisations and projects, focus groups with young people and case studies of 4 NSF projects. A study of similar work outside of NSF and a cost-effectiveness study have also been completed.

NSF achieved the goals set for it by DfES. Projects worked with young people at risk and their life chances improved. By doing this in a community setting, organisations can bring young people in a gradual and non-threatening manner, enabling young people to develop at their own pace.

Additionally, the projects are embedded in a larger organisation and further networks, providing opportunities for development, action and involvement of young people beyond youth activities.

Participating organisations benefit from having new participants, volunteers and workers, new activities and new networks. The organisations can develop in parallel with the young people.

The Community Development Foundation
admin@cdf.org.uk

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//2007

Gavin Bailey and Kate Jones - CDF

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Community development, Integration of social groups