Introduction
Southampton YMCA have been delivering services and supporting the most vulnerable children and young people in Southampton since 1875. Southampton YMCA are committed to working with government policy around Children’s Services and supporting Every Child Matters Outcomes through the ‘Core Offer’ of Extended School’s
Southampton YMCA currently locally delivers a range of programmes and support services that include a 40 bed residential facility for young people aged 16 onwards. We have been working in local schools for the last 3 years and Southampton YMCA is currently delivering:
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After school clubs
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School based Pastoral Care workers
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Support for students at risk of exclusion
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Transition support for students moving to a new school
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Helping young people stay in College Education between the age of 16-18
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Holiday Play schemes
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Day camps
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Junior clubs
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‘’Dads and lads’’ – encouraging positive parenting
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Team building days for school year groups
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Work experience
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Formal education and classroom input
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Partnership education programme with Netherlands YMCA
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Targeted research programme with Southampton City College
The YMCA Education Programmes
Nick Jeffery (on the photo above in the middle) has 20 years experience of providing young person focussed support services to schools in the UK. He joined the Southampton YMCA staff team in February 2007. Prior to that, he was Senior Manager of the highly commended Norfolk YMCA Schools Programme that employed 35 Student Support staff working full time in 28 schools and colleges.
Nick’s role is to develop our Education department and offer a range of services to Primary and Secondary schools and local colleges. These programmes include:
YMCA Student Support Worker
A non authority schools based YMCA worker providing broad based support for students at risk of social exclusion through issue based programmes; advocacy; multi-agency signposting; 1-1 support; group work; family liaison.
Transition Support Worker
We have developed a successful project that maps year 6 pupils as they prepare for Secondary school, works with them during the summer term in Primary school and
Offers a summer holiday programme building up self esteem and confidence.
For the first 2 terms in Secondary school the Transition worker links closely with the Head of Year 7, provides tutor group team building activities, focussed 1-1 support for those struggling with issues such as attendance, bullying etc. And group work sessions to help identified young people get the most out of secondary school
Anti-bullying Roadshow
Written originally for Norfolk schools and sponsored by the Children’s Fund, the show has travelled widely in the UK and Netherlands. This is a whole day programme developed for year 6-8, we can work with up to 100 pupils and the day includes theatre, groups, activities, feedback and evaluation. The roadshow will fit into the schools anti bullying policy
We can work with the school to design the most appropriate packages that meet the needs of the students; these might include family support; young carers; youth inclusion support panels; positive activities for young people; social skills development; attendance support
Definition – a non-authority school based YMCA worker providing broad based support for students at risk of exclusion. YMCA recruit, train and manage the worker who, although is full time in a school remains an employee of YMCA
The role of the Pastoral Care Worker includes:
- Advocacy
- Family support
- Working in partnership with other organisations to ensure a young person has the best possible support available-1 support and group work support
- Issues based programmes including attendance, behaviour support, bullying, self esteem, healthy living and personal development
- Year group programmes including anti – bullying roadshow
The Pastoral care work programme distinctive is:
- Commitment to staff development, support and supervision
- Commitment to relationship – time given to young people and staff – it takes time to develop trust
- Clearly defined boundaries and a commitment to policies and principles
- High impact through agreeing, monitoring and evidencing targets
- Influence – Making a difference in the lives of children and young people
- Early intervention – a commitment to delivering programmes that are early intervention and preventative based; rather than only focussing on reducing problems
- Without prejudice – a young person approach that is resolution focussed, positive and encourages young people to aim for achievable and sustainable targets
- Ongoing and long term support for young people – short term programmes result in short term solutions!
- Ensuring that clear communication exists across all stakeholders – young people, school staff, agencies and parents – communication that is not just about receiving information but understanding it too!
- Workers are available and accessible
- Clear distinctive that are non – negotiable
Laws of survival to succeed in schools
1.We probably won’t be financially rich but lets ensure were not time poor as well
2. Belief that the job we do makes a difference
3. Be professional – not compromising on matters of principle or values!
Be sure of what YMCA stands for, don’t short cut on relationship or make empty promises
4. Lead by example and...Leaders have followers!
5. Concentrate on developing and working to your strengths
6. What is your unique gift?
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Believe in the power of dreams.
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Don’t let your job consume you – there is a fantastic world out there!
9. Keep your feet on the ground – Don’t be overwhelmed, seek advise, counsel and support! You are not the saviour!
10. Don’t settle simply for success – strive for significance
