Dungannon Youth Resource Centre Inspection

Department for Employment and Learning

CONTENTS

SectionPage

1.CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND1

2.STRENGTHS1

3.AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT3

4.CONCLUSION4

1.CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

1.1Dungannon Youth Resource Centre is a purpose built voluntary youth centre situated close to the town. The centre has a membership of 250 young people between the ages of 10-18 with an average attendance of 80 young people each day.

1.2In 2001 the staff and management committee reviewed the operational pattern of the centre and devised a strategy to develop youth work within the centre and to focus on youth development within the wider community. Following the review the full-time leader in charge post was given part-time status; a part-time youth worker was appointed to supplement this arrangement. The second full time youth worker was given an outreach brief within the local community to respond to the needs of young people who traditionally did not identify with the youth centre. The new structure has given staff a greater sense of ownership of their particular contribution to the overall programme resulting in high morale among all the staff. At the time of the inspection, the centre was staffed by a professionally qualified part-time youth worker in charge, a full-time youth worker five part-time youth workers, eight volunteers, a part-time secretary and a caretaker.

1.3The centre-based provision operates on three specific evenings allowing community use and particular programmes to be facilitated on two other evenings. The ‘Learning Zone’, which is a discrete after school provision, operates 2.00-6.00pm Monday to Friday and a Primary Club operates on two afternoons each week.

2.STRENGTHS

2.1The staff and volunteers at the centre value the young people and have created an excellent ethos. The centre’s priority is to be inclusive of all young people.

2.2The central theme and core principles of the youth work curriculum are well developed and integrated into all aspects of the programme offering a breath of experiences and opportunities that ultimately enhance the young people’s personal and social development. The staff have a commitment to preparing young people for participation within the youth centre and the wider community along with promoting the acceptance and understanding of others and supporting young people to clarify their own values and beliefs.

2.3The planning for the expected outcomes in response to the range of young people’s needs is thoughtful and creative. The planning process allows the staff the opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of their programmes and make adjustments through the ongoing monitoring process.

2.4The range and quality of experiences is extensive including international travel; a well-established biannual exchange visit to Denmark is in place and more recently a group of young people visited Australia. The opportunity for information and communication technology (ICT) was enhanced through the cross-community aspect of the work of the group. There were significant outcomes in terms of ICT skills for the young people as they developed these skills in planning the project and keeping in touch with their families while abroad. The young people’s use of their ICT skills was vital in communicating with other young people in Australia. These opportunities were well structured to maximise the benefits for young people in relation to personal and social development along with broadening their horizons and exploring the areas of equity, diversity, and interdependence in a global context.

2.5The staff are innovative in designing programmes to stimulate and challenge young people’s views and behaviour. During the inspection several programmes were observed and discussed with young people. These programmes included work with young women ‘One Love One Life’ and young men ‘Rites of Passage’ who found the opportunity useful and timely in response to their needs and stage of development. An intensive cross-community residential experience ‘No Way Out’ based on the popular television programme ‘Big Brother’ captured young people’s imagination and enthusiasm and was used skilfully as a creative means of engaging young people in issues affecting their lives.

2.6Successful links have been established with the local schools. Input from the full-time youth worker often complements the work within schools particularly in relation to pastoral care and personal and social education. Topics addressed most recently include anti-bullying and citizenship issues. The young people’s involvement in these activities has been accredited through the Youth Achievement Award Scheme, 44 young people achieved the Bronze Award. The anti-bullying awareness programme also had a positive impact on the centre, where young people’s sense of personal safety is paramount; consequently young people are aware of how to keep themselves safe and have developed their self-esteem and confidence.

2.7Sport and creative art are good features of the programme offering the young people the opportunity to develop a range of activities including photography, art, basketball, badminton, netball, foot-ball, personal fitness and training, table tennis and snooker. These activities and others are offered at different levels catering for the casual recreational user and the keen enthusiast who wants to develop skill and achieve success in the local sporting competitions and further afield.

2.8The targeted youth development within the community has resulted in a 16% increase in membership of young people who traditionally did not identify with the youth centre. The outcomes for this particular group of young people have included the opportunity to travel to Denmark, access to opportunities for leadership and becoming involved in their local community. It is reported that adults and parents in the local community have also benifited from the current deployment of centre staff.

2.9Staff at the centre collaborate effectively with other agencies to enrich the breadth and relevance of the programme; one example is the Boys and Girls Club Northern Ireland where the centre makes good use of ‘Millennium Encore’ funding to encourage young people to visit the theatre. Other agencies include local schools and colleges and Dungannon Borough Council; during the inspection a number of young people from the centre where acknowledged at the council’s distribution of awards for achievement. Each year a group of international volunteers from Pax Christi support centre staff to organise the summer scheme, which attracts 300 young people. The centre has developed links with the Red Cross, the local Health Action Zone, the Sports Fund, Youth Sport, environmental groups in the area, Dungannon Development Association and many others.

2.10The ‘Learning Zone’ is a recent after-school development within the centre; it is well led by the co-ordinator, and supported by four play workers. The programme offers a range of recreational and educational activities reflecting the specific needs and interests of the children. The staff have a clear understanding of their role and the underlying principles of play. The children are confident and enjoy the range of experiences and opportunities provided by the centre. The ‘Learning Zone’ is not sufficiently integrated into the centre’s programme and management structures.

2.11The monitoring procedures to evaluate the outcomes for young people are of a high standard, well established and are an integral part of the planning. The evidence to support and identify the outcomes includes the records of young people’s participation, the good use of Youth Achievements Awards, records of discussions with course participants documented evidence from photographs, certificates and end of course evaluations. The young people identify the benefits of attending the centre in terms of learning new skills and knowledge, being supported to apply this new information and being encouraged and supported to achieve their personal goals. Progression is available through access to further training and/or personal opportunities available either in centre and through Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) Youth Service Department. The young people primarily enjoy coming to the centre, have the expectation of becoming involved in useful and relevant activities and recognise the centre’s contribution to the quality of their lives.

2.12The youth worker in charge demonstrates thoughtful and creative leadership and has enabled innovative youth work practice among the part time youth workers and volunteers. The full-time youth worker with responsibility for youth development within the community complements the work in the centre and empowers other young people to make use of the facilities within the local area. The full-time youth worker’s quality of leadership and commitment to young people has greatly benefited the community. Part-time staff and volunteers are dedicated and committed to providing a quality service for young people, and take part in relevant training in order to enhance their skills in working with young people. The management committee make a valuable contribution to the centre in terms of their time and effort to manage the centre’s full operation and recognise their responsibility in being accountable as the employer. The committee have developed good working relationships with the local SELB youth officer and value his professional support and guidance. The youth worker in charge and full-time youth worker receive formal supervision and support from the chairperson of the committee along with the SELB youth officer. This arrangement fosters good working relationships and ensures effective communication.

2.13Relevant child protection polices are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of young people attending the centre. The staff receive relevant training, and this is reviewed regularly to ensure that the centre complies with current legislation.

3.AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT

3.1There is a need to measure more effectively, the young people’s achievements and progression through their participation in the programmes available though the centre.

3.2Support and supervision procedures for part-time staff and volunteers are not sufficiently formalised.

3.3The ‘Learning Zone’ is not sufficiently integrated into the centre’s programme and management structures.

3.4Some of the equipment is worn and in a poor state of repair.

4.CONCLUSION

This report acknowledges the good and often excellent quality of youth work provided by the staff and volunteers within the youth centre. Young people value the contribution of the centre to the quality of their lives and the influence of it on their sense of worth and self-confidence. The centre is well led and managed and the benefits of the recent reorganisation and the deployment of staff within the local community are clearly demonstrated by the outcomes of the work of the centre. Some areas for development have been identified which will help the centre cater more effectively for the young people, staff and volunteers. In addition the health and safety issues identified in the appendix need to be addressed.

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APPENDIX

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Broken furniture stored in the playground is a safety hazard.

Parked cars in the playground are dangerous.

The use of unsuitable furniture and equipment by younger children attending the ’Learning Zone’ constitutes a safety hazard.

© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2003

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Copies of this report may be obtained from the Inspection Services Branch, Department of Education, Rathgael House, 43 Balloo Road, Bangor, Co Down BT19 7PR. A copy is also available on the DE website: