young people

Life as a teenager (Radio 4 series: The seven ages of humanity)

Four Radio 4 programmes in a series about the health and wellbeing of the seven ages of humanity, presented by Connie St Louis. These four programmes explore the teenage years. The first programme looks at the hormonal changes that are the hallmark of the teenage years, the second looks at teenage behaviour and the third at how adolescents relate to those around them. The final programme of the series looks at the later stages of adolescence.

Review of Research on Vulnerable Young People and Their Transitions to Independent Living

A literature review carried out by the University of Edinburgh in August 2007 which found that most young people move on from being looked after at 16 or 17 years; this tends to be an abrupt transition which has been referred to as 'accelerated and compressed', further impacting on other aspects of their lives such as education, relationships and health and well-being.

Healthy children, safer communities: a strategy to promote the health and well-being of children and young people in contact with the youth justice system

This cross government document aims to help tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour, and contribute to community safety in England. It sets out a strategic approach to inform the work of the Healthy Children, Safer Communities programme board to fulfil the vision that children and young people will be safer, healthier and stay away from crime.

A participatory handbook for youth drug abuse prevention programmes : a guide for development and improvement

Substance abuse as a social phenomenon is all the more worrisome because of its prevalence among youth. Over the last two decades or so, countries all over the world have seen an alarming rise in the incidence of substance abuse amongst the most productive and crucial section of their populations.

Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004

This resource is the Act of Scottish Parliament which looks at education and additional support for learning. It provides a new system for identifying and addressing the additional support needs of children and young people who face a barrier to learning. The Act encompasses any need that requires additional support in order for the child or young person to learn.

Improving the wellbeing of disabled children and young people through improving access to positive and inclusive activities

This review looks at the evidence base for improving the wellbeing of disabled children and young people through improving access to positive and inclusive activities. It assess where gaps in the evidence base occur and suggests where future research and development may need to take place.

Mentoring (Radio 4 series: Woman's Hour)

This episode of Radio 4's Woman's Hour series looks at mentoring and if young people who are likely to fall foul to the law could be identified before they actually offend. The Community Service Volunteers has set up a scheme which has already proved successful. The Mentors and Peers (MAP) project matches young people with volunteer mentors who meet regularly for a period of six months. One such young person is 11 year old Bobby who is anxious to avoid the fate of elder brothers who have served prison sentences.

Sweet 16?: one year on - is life any sweeter?

On 25 March 2008, the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland laid before the Scottish Parliament a report called Sweet 16? The Age of Leaving Care in Scotland. It was debated on 25 June 2008. The Scottish Government has responded positively to most of the report’s recommendations, which are attached as an appendix to this paper, together with a short summary of the full report. In January 2009, a feedback survey was circulated to local authorities to help identify progress on the issues raised in Sweet 16? and also what more needed to be done.