Search

The research explored the impact of an employability programme, delivered by a Community Interest Company and other third sector partners in England. The programme was designed to increase the employability of people aged between 16–72 years-old who were unemployed or economically inactive. To measure the impact of the programme on participants, 1,098 people engaging in the project completed questionnaires designed to capture demographic data and measure general self-efficacy (GSE) upon joining the programme (Time 1); whilst 163 of the same participants completed the questionnaire upon completing the programme (Time 2). Interviews were conducted with 26 participants engaged with the programme. Results of the questionnaire data analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between levels of disadvantage experienced by the participants and GSE at Time 1; statistically significant increases in GSE levels between Time 1 and Time 2 for participants who completed the programme; and a statistically significant relationship between GSE at Time 2 and employment/training outcomes. Triangulation of the quantitative and qualitative results revealed the positive impact of the programme on participant's self-efficacy and employability. This paper is the first of its kind in the UK to explore the impact of employability programmes on adults experiencing multiple disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst the number of children in custody declines, the complex needs of many of them have increased. A review of the youth justice system stated that education needs to be the central pillar in preventing offending. Research suggests that education fails children, by prioritising reputation and the standards agenda over providing care and education that meets individual needs (Runswick-Cole. 2011. "Time to End the Bias Towards Inclusion." British Journal of Special Education 38 (3): 11). This paper explores this failure for children prior to and in custody itself, and relates this to a theoretical model that combines children's need and self-efficacy. It suggests that until children are guaranteed an environment where their basic needs are met, there is little hope of either education or training helping them to access a life free from crime, whatever other policy changes in custody are implemented. This research shows that current provisions, for children in custody, fail to support children's needs around safety, belonging and self-esteem. Thus, it is no surprise that children in Secure Training Centres fail to self-actualise their educational abilities, as they lack the self-efficacy to successfully engage with education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research examined the effects on participants of an employment enhancement programme (EEP), which was delivered by a work-integration social enterprise in an area of high unemployment in the South-East of England. The EEP was designed to increase the employability of young people aged 16–24 years who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). In order to measure the effects of the EEP on the participants, 24 NEET young people completed questionnaires designed to measure their general self-efficacy (GSE) before and after (Time 1 and Time 2) their engagement in the EEP. Fifteen of the original 24 NEETs also took part in semi-structured interviews with a researcher at Time 1 and Time 2. Results of the analysis of the questionnaire data revealed a statistically significant increase in the levels of GSE for the 24 participants after engagement in the EEP. Results of the analysis of the interview data with 15 participants revealed eight overall themes, four at Time 1 and four at Time 2. The triangulation of the quantitative and qualitative results of this research revealed the psychological benefits to this NEET group of young people after engagement in the EEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]