1625 Independent People Future 4 Me Evaluation Final Report

Baker, Colin ORCID: 0000-0001-8971-2829 (2020) 1625 Independent People Future 4 Me Evaluation Final Report. Project Report. University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester.

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Abstract

This report presents the findings of the Future 4 Me (F4M) (2016-2019) evaluation undertaken by the University of Gloucestershire between January 2017 and December 2019. Future 4 Me (F4M) is an innovative project run by 1625 Independent People (1625IP) that provides specialist support to young people leaving care, leaving custody or young people who are at risk of entering custody. A mixed methods approach was deployed involving the use of quantitative and qualitative methods in order to gather data via a range of individual and group interviews, and online surveys to investigate the experiences and perceptions of young people and practitioners involved in the project. Young people valued the simple referral process and the ability to talk about issues they felt were important in a supported and open way. Young people felt listened to, respected and valued. This created a space where opportunities and plans could be explored in respect of addressing things that mattered to them, providing a greater sense of agency and confidence. Opportunities for personal and professional development were explored with support from case workers. Young people felt more resilient and self-aware, and capable of focusing on positive action from a position of relative stability. This helped to re-establish routines and relationships which served to reinforce a greater sense of personal wellbeing, happiness and empowerment. For practitioners the F4M project provided a much-needed opportunity to enhance the delivery of important support services for young people in Bristol. Joining up with other organisations within the wider service landscape helped identify realistic and workable interventions, share collective knowledge and information, and identify solutions to problems in a challenging financial and political climate. This fostered a sense of greater responsiveness and effectiveness which helped avoid duplication and competition between local stakeholders. The range of organisational cultures and practices across the voluntary and public sector agencies involved in the F4M partnership could present potential enablers and barriers to these aspects. Flexibility and creativity were critical elements of the success of F4M. This applied to the way casework was approached, the way F4M worked with its partners, and the relationship with the evaluation team to ensure the methods reflected the complexities of delivery.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Colin Baker
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2020 14:09
Last Modified:	25 Sep 2023 08:46
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/8623

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