Referral Process

We work with 68 young people at any one time who have been referred to the scheme through the health and social care trusts. The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust each refer 12 young people; and the Western Health and Social Care Trust refer 20.

When a social worker identifies a young person who is unable to access mainstream training or employment they can contact the Give and Take Scheme for a referral form.

Approximately three out of four of the young people have been in care or are from a care background, and all have significant barriers to overcome in order to access mainstream training and employment.

Profile of young people on the scheme:

• 100 per cent are not in education, employment or training
• 77 per cent have a care background
• 74 per cent have essential skills needs
• 70 per cent come from areas of social and economic disadvantage
• 62 per cent are at risk of homelessness
• 60 per cent have experienced abuse or neglect
• 59 per cent did not complete mainstream education
• 55 per cent have experienced mental or emotional health problems
• 43 per cent have alcohol and substance misuse issues
• 34 per cent have an offending background
• 19 per cent have a learning or physical disability
• 16 per cent are at risk of suicide or self harming
• 16 per cent are at risk of involvement with or under threat from paramilitaries
• 8 per cent are young parents

Once the referral form is completed and returned to the appropriate Give and Take Scheme staff for that Trust area, the young person is offered an information session to find out more about the scheme. If the young person is interested in joining, the referring social worker will liaise with the gatekeeper from that Trust to negotiate a start date.

When a young person joins the Give and Take Scheme they will complete an induction programme, which covers:

• Self awareness
• Understanding own skills, qualities and interests
• General work experience scenarios
• Benefits of volunteering
• How to find the right placement or job
• Assessments on education and training needs; personal development and health; Richter magnitude scale; and careers

All young people are supported to undertake this detailed induction and assessment programme before a tailored action plan is drawn up based on the needs, capabilities and aspirations of the young person.

The action plan is agreed between the Give and Take Scheme staff, the young person and the young person’s social worker. It is then formed into a weekly timetable of classes. A personal introduction to a dedicated DEL Careers Service Adviser is also made at this stage.