YOUTH WORK’S CONTRIBUTION TO PROVISION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, IN THE BOROUGH OF BURY, GREATER MANCHESTER

This dissertation aims to address growing concerns around increasing levels of mental ill health amongst young people; through a study of youth work’s contribution to provision for young people in Bury, Greater Manchester. It aims to identify how youth services could offer more support; how partnerships can be efficient, and how political policy contexts inform services.

Three themes were identified for the literature review: What is youth work?; Mental health and young people; Youth work and mental health.

A critical interpretivist/realist approach, combined with ontological and phronesis paradigms, were applied for methodological structures. The strategy was a qualitative case study and method for data collection was fifteen semi-structured interviews. Data analysis of coding and theming identified five themes: Problems young people are facing; Support which is being offered; Staff confusion over policies; Significant ethical challenges; and Partnership practices.

Key findings are;

Professionals in Bury are witnessing a dramatic increase in the number of young people suffering low level mental health problems; and severe mental health illnesses are becoming more prevalent with this age group;

Since government austerity cuts commenced in 2010 the context for youth work in contemporary times, particular Northern England, is a brutalised one. Many local authority youth services have been discontinued and voluntary groups, many also depending on state funding, are reducing their workforce or closing;

There has been a significant reduction in resources, staffing and funding for Bury’s young people services. Local authority services, voluntary and charity organisations are having to work more integrated. However working in this way is presenting challenges, tensions and is identified as problematic;

Informants displayed a genuine and overall lack of understanding for current local or national policy that informs their service or individual practice.

This research offers insights and well-argued recommendations that local authority and voluntary youth services are experienced in responding to the needs of young people in contemporary Britain. The focus on supporting their personal, social, physical and educational developments; with priority to either helping prevent mental ill health occurring or as an active role in supporting the young person in the recovery.