Youth Research Qualitative Report - District Council of Mount Barker

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3. Desk top study of current service provision in the Mount Barker Council District This interim report presents the findings from Phase One of the project. 2.3 Studying young people By describing the lives of the young people who participated in this study we are by definition describing lives in transition. Puberty marks the transition from childhood to adolescence and with it comes rapid physical changes, significant emotional and cognitive maturation, sexual awareness and a heightened sensitivity to peer relations (Newman and Newman, 1999). How well a teenager transitions through adolescence into adulthood is influenced by the way they interact with their environment and the degree to which the different domains of their life, such as home, community and school, combine to create opportunities for the development of physical, emotional and social competencies (Bronfenbrenner 1929). Access to good educational and recreational resources, vocational experiences, positive social networks and adult role models during the teenage years increases the likelihood that a teenager will attain the physical, emotional and cognitive skills needed to become a productive and healthy adult (Rice and Dolgin, 2008). The transitional nature of young people’s lives cannot be understated. It informs our understanding of why teenagers do what they do, how they do it and with whom. It helps us see our community through the eyes of young people and it helps us to understand how their lives might be affected by the characteristics of our community. 3. Study aims and procedures 3.1 Aim The aim of this study was to assess the needs of young people attending secondary school in the Mount Barker Council District. 3.2 Methods This study was conducted between July and October 2009. Focus groups were conducted with 62 young people (36 girls and 26 boys) aged 13 – 19 years attending secondary school in the area. All the secondary education facilities in the Mt Barker Council District are represented, Including, Mt Barker High School, Cornerstone High School, St Francis DeSales, The Waldorf School and the Vocational College located at Mt Barker TAFE. One group was also conducted with a group of young people from ‘Yak Rap’ which is a youth forum facilitated by Adelaide Hills Community Health Service. 9 Needs assessment of young people in the Mt Barker Council District – November 2009
In addition to these focus groups with young people, discussions were held with some service providers. These discussions included interviews and participation in the Adelaide Hills Youth Sector Network Planning Day where service providers come together to discuss the needs of youth in the area. 3.3 Recruitment A decision was made to recruit young people through schools to ensure a broadly representative sample of views and experiences. Permission to recruit young people through schools was obtained through the Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS), Catholic Education and participating school principals. In each school a sample of young people were asked to participate. These young people usually included an entire class representing the broad demographics of each particular school. 3.4 Data collection Focus groups were conducted with young people in class time. Focus group discussions focused on what young people perceived as positive about living in the Mt Barker Council District, what the biggest issues were for young people living in the area and how well young people’s needs were met across a range of issues; including housing, employment, education, health, transport, recreation, social interaction, retail and service provision. These discussions also explored the consequences of unmet need for young people, their families and communities. In addition to speaking with young people, discussions were held with some service providers. These discussions explored the same issues covered in focus groups with young people but from a service provider’s perspective. In a separate study, surveys focussing on similar issues will be distributed to young people and their parents through schools, TAFE, Community Health and other community organisations. A desk top study of service provision will also be conducted in order to situate the experience of young people in Mt Barker within a wider context. All three studies should be considered alongside each other. 3.5 Data Analysis Focus groups with young people were analysed to ascertain common issues across all groups and to highlight issues associated with particular groups of young people (such as males, females, younger and older age groups, disengaged young people). Moving beyond simple description, analysis also examined consequences of adequate or inadequate provision for young people in the area. Discussions with service providers were conducted in order to contextualise young people. Findings are discussed in relation to the young people’s experience. 10 Needs assessment of young people in the Mt Barker Council District – November 2009
Page 2 and 3: Project Report Young People Living
Page 4 and 5: Contents About the Author .........
Page 6 and 7: access to friends, sport, recreatio
Page 8 and 9: Encourage more retail that appeals
Page 12 and 13: 3.6 Limitations This study recruite
Page 14 and 15: I used to have drug problems and th
Page 16 and 17: young people living in the region d
Page 18 and 19: The majority of work available to y
Page 20 and 21: off my face and not realise. I slep
Page 22 and 23: a shortage of human resources requi
Page 24 and 25: comfortable or welcoming homes to w
Page 26 and 27: catch the 9:28 bus and sit there fo
Page 28 and 29: Male Yeah but that's already happen
Page 30 and 31: Centre, these amenities are not rea
Page 32 and 33: More entertainment as part of the c
Page 34 and 35: The Big lounge is cool. They play r
Page 36 and 37: was still a strong desire among the
Page 38 and 39: These were also the sentiments of y
Page 40 and 41: Other reasons for not choosing to l
Page 42 and 43: I am aware that there are 13-14 yea
Page 44 and 45: 6. Project conclusions and interim
Page 46 and 47: Avoid housing young people outside
Page 48 and 49: Facilitate the integration of activ

Youth Research Qualitative Report - District Council of Mount Barker

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