our messages to everyone working with young people
As part of our work, we talk in particular about priorities for decision-makers that we think are critical to a healthy system around young people that can really make a difference. Young people face increasingly complex and over-lapping challenges, yet the current system is fragmented, unequal, and difficult to access—particularly for those most in need and during key life transitions. Centre 33’s evidence highlights three critical priorities for reform that point to a clear solution: Investment in open-access, holistic “youth hub” models that provide integrated support for young people.
Read more about what we think below:
SUPPORT UP TO AGE 25
We believe young people's services should continue up to age 25. A division between children and adult services risks young people losing support at a crucial time for their wellbeing, mental health and risk taking.
Young people aged 16 to 25 are going through an intense period of change, as they transition between adolescence and adulthood. We know how vital this time is for mental health - 75% of mental illnesses have an onset in childhood and adolesence.
To engage this age group, support must be easy to access and age appropriate. We believe there should be no need to transition between children's and adult services, a position which is in line with NHS recommendations and what young people tell us.
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HOLISTIC SUPPORT
At Centre 33, we support young people with their practical and emotoinal needs. Young people who come to us do so with at least two needs, which can include difficulties like mental health, housing, caring responsibilities and work. This number increases for young people who face higher health inequalities - 27% come with over 10 different needs.
Support which addresses the 'whole person' is evidenced to be the most effective form. It encourages young people who are dealing with multiple challenges to come forward and feel confident that the complexities of their situation will be addressed. We know holistic support plans result in greater engagement and impact and believe this should be a key part of young people's services.
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TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITIES
Providing support to all young people needs an inclusive offer that reaches out, proactively, to those who are less likely to access support but are more vulnerable to health inequalities. Flexible and responsive services are essential.
Social disadvantage creates inequalities and barriers, and means young people are less likely to access the support they need. For example, some groups of society have poorer mental health than others, as well as less effective support for their wellbeing. Where they do find support, their experiences and outcomes are often poorer - this creates a 'triple barrier' of mental health inequality that affects different sections of the population.
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