Meeting Disadvantaged Young People’s Needs: An integrated approach

Wilkinson, Mick

Abstract

The growth of young homelessness throughout the 1980s and 1990s has been a worrying social phenomenon within the UK. Responses to this trend have varied and some have been more effective than others. In the 1990s, the idea of Foyers – initially developed in France – began to emerge in the UK as a potentially effective way of providing a package of integrated services for at risk or homeless young people, including accommodation, support, advice and training for work experience. This report describes the work of one such Foyer. The Foyer in question is sited within a deeply rural context which brings with it additional difficulties to those normally experienced when working with disadvantaged young people. However, the needs assessment shows a high level of support from local agencies, residents and staff for the principle of the Foyer and, despite early difficulties with practice, enthusiasm for it to be continued in a remodelled and better-funded form. Foyers offer a rounded way of supporting vulnerable young people back into the mainstream of society. Without them, it is argued, the problems of homeless young people will be exacerbated.

Citation

Wilkinson, M. (2001). Meeting Disadvantaged Young People’s Needs: An integrated approach. Research, policy and planning : the journal of the Social Services Research Group, 19(3), 11-22

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2001
• Deposit Date: Jul 4, 2024
• Journal: Research, policy and planning : the journal of the Social Services Research Group
• Print ISSN: 0264-519X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 11-22
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4732405