Getting It Right for Young People in Education

17 May 2012 | Birmingham

‘Everyday is a School Day'

when you were aged

Think back… to

16

The writing is on the wall

Stand Up – Sit Down !

It’s All About You! YouYou

You

YouYou

YouYou

YouYouYou

Education Matters!The Challenges Young People Face

• Bullied for being homeless

• ‘Nothing’ was going right for me

• Too much to deal with

• I was forced to leave

• Childcare

• Where to go for help

• I wanted my teachers to understand

• I have no qualifications

• Can we afford to learn?

• I did not want ‘special’ treatment

Being homeless, in education and dealing with feelings

• I dropped out and felt lost and not a part of anything.• I felt lonely, different, vulnerable and useless.• I did not know what to do or where to get help. • I was depressed about my future.• I felt like the odd one out and always being watched by

the teachers.• It was difficult to pay attention in class due to the effects

which homelessness can have on you as a young person.• I was nervous.• I felt like I was ‘written-off’ as a young mom who was

going nowhere

Everybody’s got to learn sometimeWhat issues are important to young people?

• Making decisions about my education

• Don’t give up on me because I am homeless

• Teachers have a lot to learn too

• Understanding homelessness

• Fair access?

Everybody’s got to learn sometimeWhat issues are important to young people?

• I want to work

• Open up my world and my mind

• Money, money, money

• Relationships with teachers and tutors

• ‘Home’ Work

Education, Education, Education!What helped young people?

• Care about me as a person

• Counselling and Support• A hand up –

not a hand out• Careers and Welfare

Advisors who are knowledgeable

• Lifeskills

How you as professionals can make a difference

to young peoples’ experience

The small things really do make a difference

Education

• Care about me as a person as well as my education • Be creative in your teaching • Try to understand and empathise • Give me information so I am aware of my options and

can make decisions about my own education• Help me access other support networks and financial

help• Make sure I understand my homework/course work and

I have the right environment and resources to do it• Treat us as individuals. It is not a "one size fits all’…

The NYRG Super Top TipsThe essential guide to education and young people

• Be more knowledgeable about issues and effects of youth homelessness

• Don’t write me off• Don’t give me preferential treatment which makes• me stand out• Don’t leave me to my own devices – I need• encouragement and support• If you are teaching me - be professional, friendly,

humorous, knowledgeable, fair, and supportive – especially when things go wrong

Q&A

One thing I am going to take awayand do as a result of today is…

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It’s the little things that make a difference

Getting it Right for Young People