Youth Research Qualitative Report - District Council of Mount Barker

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.
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Needs assessment of young people in the Mt Barker Council District – November 2009