News Release
Embargo: not for publication or broadcast before 00:01 am 5
December 2001
Lack of confidence constrains unemployed young
Many unemployed young people lead lives beset by problems that go beyond not
having a job. Combinations of family disruption, disability, homelessness, drug
and alcohol problems, criminal records, poor mental health, and race discrimination
can make progress in employment seem almost impossible. However, a new report
from the Policy Studies Institute and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows how,
with the right support, young people can overcome these obstacles and start
to realise their ambitions in life.
The Policy Studies Institute researchers undertook in-depth interviews with
young people with multiple disadvantages. They found that in many cases the
grim stereotypes ring true: some disadvantaged young people are stuck in unemployment
or move in and out of casual jobs. But, contrary to popular opinion, some of
the most disadvantaged young people interviewed for the report had managed to
find steady work, and some were even studying for professional or artistic careers.
A lack of confidence was a significant factor contributing to the problems
faced by disadvantaged young people. This was compounded by limited opportunities
for work, made worse by a lack of skills, experience or qualifications. The
researchers believe that, for many of these young people, further pressure could
be unhelpful: rather, they need understanding and encouragement, and labour
market and educational support.
Amongst the study's key findings are that:
- The young people were keen to find work and did not want to be dependent
on benefits or on their families.
- They welcomed the idea of more employment support to help them to achieve
this goal.
- Lack of confidence led some young people to give up easily. Further pressure
could be unhelpful for such young people, who needed understanding, encouragement
and a chance to succeed in some way.
- Many young people felt that employers did not give them a chance. This
was especially the case for disabled young people, those with literacy difficulties
and those with a criminal record.
- Although some young people felt disillusioned with New Deal, for others,
New Deal had been helpful, particularly where advisers had taken a personal
interest in developing opportunities for them.
- Getting work was not the end of the story. The first few weeks of a new
job were seen as a danger period when many disadvantaged young people needed
support. Many gave up in the face of problems that they felt unable to resolve.
Jane Lakey, principal author of the report says:
"Young people need to feel that they have a future. Steady employment, in
a job that they valued was seen as the key to that future by most of those
we interviewed. They were selected because of their problems, but it was their
talent, ability and commitment that shone out. Those who try to support young
unemployed people need to focus on helping them to realise their potential,
and on helping employers to look for it in unexpected places."
Contact: Jo O'Driscoll on 020 7468 2269 or 07802 181249
Notes to editors
- 'Getting a Chance: Employment Support for Young People with Multiple Disadvantages'
by Jane Lakey, Helen Barnes and Jane Parry, funded by the Joseph Rowntree
Foundation, is published by York Publishing Services in the JRF Work and Opportunity
series. ISBN 1 84263 032 6, £13.95.
- The young people interviewed were 20 women and 29 men, aged between 20
and 26, and were divided almost equally between white and minority ethnic
groups. They lived in three areas of the country: London and the Southeast,
Yorkshire and Humberside, and the West Midlands. They were randomly drawn
from respondents to the Employment Service surveys of New Deal entrants in
these areas, who also met the criteria of having experienced two or more potential
disadvantages (homelessness, time spent in care, problems with the law, problems
with drugs or alcohol, disability, poor mental health, membership of an ethnic
minority group). In addition, 20 interviews were conducted with support workers
from organisations providing employment help to a range of disadvantaged groups.
- PSI is a registered educational charity (no. 313819) and has no association
with any political party, pressure group or commercial interest.
- Copies of the summary of findings are available free of charge from JRF,
The Homestead, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP, or from www.jrf.org.uk