Evaluation of a financial skills training programme for vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness

Introduction A financial skills training programme (Cash Pointers) for young people at risk of homelessness had an unexpectedly positive impact on their wellbeing. A qualitative inquiry examined this phenomenon. Method Interviews with six trainees explored their experiences of the programme. A focus group comprising four programme workers added a service provider perspective. Findings Cash Pointers addressed trainees’ basic living and health needs. Additionally, trusting relationships with programme workers enabled trainees to feel safe, develop skills, pursue goals, manage health problems, improve relationships and engage in life roles. Trainees said Cash Pointers was accessible and responsive, offering advocacy, inter-agency liaison and hope. Programme workers said they balanced the need for quick results with patient relationship-building, were a well-supported team with a high degree of casework autonomy and felt skilled in the therapeutic use of self. Conclusion Cash Pointers created a psychologically informed environment within which trainees stabilised, acquired skills and progressed towards greater life satisfaction and inclusion. Improving financial skills can be profoundly transformative and an acceptable intervention for this population. Aspects of occupational therapy’s knowledge-base (dynamic systems thinking) and skillset (person-centred goal-setting, therapeutic use of self, creating enabling environments) can support this.

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Videoconferencing training for those working with at-risk young people in rural areas of Western Australia

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1258/13576330260440772 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 8 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 29-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sarah Haythornthwaite

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Young People ◽

Western Australia ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Training Programme ◽

Rural Youth ◽

Rural Regions ◽

Face To Face ◽

Training Initiative ◽

Professional Isolation

summary Rural Links is a videoconference training initiative developed for those who work with at-risk young people in remote and rural regions of Western Australia. The training programme was run twice (in parallel) for two groups of participants: 17 workers from the Great Southern and South West regions of Western Australia and 15 workers from the Wheatbelt, Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. The programme consisted of seven 2 h sessions presented over 12 weeks. Objectives of the training programme centred on increasing participants’ knowledge and confidence in relation to the training topics. The initiative also aimed to enhance consultation between rural youth networks and a metropolitan-based youth mental health service (YouthLink). Analyses indicated that there were improvements in workers’ knowledge and confidence in relation to training topics following participation in the programme. Comparisons of the improvements made by these rural participants, who accessed training via videoconferencing, and metropolitan participants, who accessed training face to face, revealed few significant differences. Rural participants reported high levels of satisfaction, decreased feelings of professional isolation and an increased likelihood of accessing YouthLink for consultative support as a result of completing the Rural Links training programme.

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Transfer of Self-Leadership Skills Within the Dutch Police: a Three-Wave Study

Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology ◽

10.1007/s11896-021-09480-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jolanda A. Botke ◽

Maria Tims ◽

Svetlana N. Khapova ◽

Paul G. W. Jansen

Keyword(s):

Transfer Process ◽

Work Performance ◽

Leadership Skills ◽

Skills Training ◽

Training Programme ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Use Of Self ◽

Crime Scene Investigators ◽

And Performance ◽

Motivation To Transfer

AbstractThis three-wave study examined the training-to-work transfer process of a self-leadership skills training programme for crime scene investigators working for the Dutch police force. The transfer process is complex and depends on numerous factors. Two important steps forward are taken in the present study. First, we take into account all transfer steps in one study to gain insights into the transfer process, and second, by being specific about the work situation in which transfer outcomes should occur, we address the “criterion problem” that is often mentioned in transfer research. Based on the Ability Motivation Opportunity model, we hypothesised that the posttraining transfer process starts with being motivated to transfer and that this motivation increases the use of self-leadership during work. Another aspect that may facilitate the use of trained skills is supervisor support, as it offers opportunities to use self-leadership skills during work. In turn, self-leadership skills at work were hypothesised to lead to increased work performance. We tested our transfer model in two different work situations experienced by crime fighters. Our findings show that the use of self-leadership skills is positively related to the detached concern of crime fighters in specific situations. Additionally, our findings show that the use of self-leadership skills mediates the relation between the motivation to transfer and work performance in specific situations. Finally, our findings show that including different transfer steps (i.e. the motivation to transfer, use of skills, and performance), different performance measures, and different work situations in the transfer process provides more insight into when and how transfer-to-work after training occurs. These findings suggest that if organisations aspire to improve such transfer, then they should be specific about the intended posttraining behaviours and performance and the situations in which these outcomes should emerge.

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“Build a friendship with them”: The discourse of “at-risk” as a barrier to relationship building between young people who trade sex and social workers

Child & Family Social Work ◽

10.1111/cfs.12357 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 1391-1398 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gillian Abel ◽

Stéphanie Wahab

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Young People ◽

Social Workers ◽

Relationship Building

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Adolescents at Risk

10.1093/oso/9780195072686.001.0001 ◽

1992 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joy G. Dryfoos

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Young People ◽

Problem Behaviors ◽

Youth Development ◽

Teen Pregnancy ◽

School Administrators ◽

National Level ◽

Skills Training ◽

The United States ◽

Real Practice

Seven million youngsters--one in four adolescents--have only limited potential for becoming productive adults because they are at high risk for encountering serious problems at home, in school, or in their communities. This is one of the disturbing findings in this unique overview of what is known about young people aged 10 to 17 growing up in the United States today. The book explores four problem areas that are the subject of a great deal of public interest and social concern: delinquency, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and school failure. In examining these problem areas, Dryfoos has three objectives: to present a more cogent picture of adolescents who are at risk of problem behaviors and where they fit in society; to synthesize the experience of programs that have been successful in changing various aspects of these behaviors; and to propose strategies for using this knowledge base to implement more effective approaches to helping youngsters succeed. Among the key concepts emerging from this study are the importance of intense individual attention, social skills training, exposure to the world of work, and packaging components in broad, community-wide interventions. Schools are recognized as the focal institution in prevention, not only in regard to helping children achieve academically, but in giving young people access to social support and health programs. The author also proposes comprehensive youth development initiatives at the local, state and national level, based on programs shown to be effective in real practice. This landmark, state-of-the-art study represents an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the welfare and current problems of youth, including psychologists, sociologists, school administrators, state and federal officials, policymakers, and concerned parents.

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Protection of Immigrant Children and Youth at Risk: Experiences and Strategies of Social Integration in Portugal

Societies ◽

10.3390/soc11040122 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 122

Author(s):

Inês Casquilho-Martins ◽

Thais Matela

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Young People ◽

Social Integration ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Immigrant Children ◽

Multidisciplinary Teams ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Youth At Risk

Over the years, social projects and programmes in Portugal have resulted in actions and outcomes to improve the integration and social inclusion of immigrant children and young people in socially vulnerable territories. This article aims to analyse the intervention experiences of teams with immigrant children and young people at risk. The developed study focused on a qualitative approach through the systematisation of measures to protect the rights of immigrant children and young people in Portugal. Semi-structured interviews were also carried out with professionals working in multidisciplinary teams intervening with immigrant children and young people. The results allow the identification of strategies and intervention methods with a positive impact on social integration supported by collaborative and participatory methodologies, but also highlight limitations such as cultural and linguistic barriers, and lack of children’s participation. Thus, it becomes fundamental to value the central role of children and young people in promoting and guaranteeing their rights.

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Information-Seeking on the Internet

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000307 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 211-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Vinod Singaravelu ◽

Anne Stewart ◽

Joanna Adams ◽

Sue Simkin ◽

Keith Hawton

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Young People ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

The Internet ◽

Search Terms ◽

Specific Advice ◽

Restriction Sites ◽

Self Harm ◽

Negative Tone

Abstract. Background: The Internet is used by young people at risk of self-harm to communicate, find information, and obtain support. Aims: We aimed to identify and analyze websites potentially accessed by these young people. Method: Six search terms, relating to self-harm/suicide and depression, were input into four search engines. Websites were analyzed for access, content/purpose, and tone. Results: In all, 314 websites were included in the analysis. Most could be accessed without restriction. Sites accessed by self-harm/suicide search terms were mostly positive or preventive in tone, whereas sites accessed by the term ways to kill yourself tended to have a negative tone. Information about self-harm methods was common with specific advice on how to self-harm in 15.8% of sites, encouragement of self-harm in 7.0%, and evocative images of self-harm/suicide in 20.7%. Advice on how to get help was given in 56.1% of sites. Conclusion: Websites relating to suicide or self-harm are easily accessed. Many sites are potentially helpful. However, a significant proportion of sites are potentially harmful through normalizing or encouraging self-harm. Enquiry regarding Internet use should be routinely included while assessing young people at risk.

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