Inclusivity for engagement, not consumption

Young Persons' Attributes Project

Catherine Arnold and Stella Jones-Devitt

Why did we do it? • Perception that young people from

regional colleges were not engaging fully with their learning or with the wider picture of health and social care

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL5mAbwUYpM • Discussion with a wide range of education

and workplace partners indicated they held the same perception

Partners’ perceptions• There seems to be an attitude that "they are owed a living" and I

think a lot of these individuals struggle with the change from the education environment to the work environment

• No clue as to the work ethic nor what is appropriate, e.g. constantly checking mobile phones/texting or shouting across an office with a message rather than walking over

• Very poor outlook as to other important factors such as timekeeping, appearance, etc.

• Lack of initiative or conversely too much and in the wrong way! e.g. not asking when they are unsure and giving wrong advice or sitting on their backside and not saying anything at all

First action• Formed a Steering Group to consider what might be put

in place to give participants the same understanding as students from other areas.

• Intention was that this group of partners would become a Community of Practice as defined by Wenger (1998).

The Project• One Year pilot: 2011/2012 - 4 sessions• Two Year pilot: 2012/2014 - 6 sessions• All students in Year 2 are on BTEC Health

and Social Care courses. The programme has been designed to support that study

• The 2 participating colleges in the 2 year pilot have paid a fee of £83@ student

Aims

To introduce: • Theoretical concepts and application to academic

work• Professional behaviour• Respect for their peers and staff• Reality of the real world• Self motivation• Professional confidence• Communication• Creativity and Critical Thinking

Session topics (2 year pilot)Year 1:

1. The importance of English and Maths in the health and care workplace Dec 2012 - Half day

2. Study skills and learning to think April 2013 - Half day

3. Being an admissions tutor June 2013 - Full day

Year 2:

4. Attributes required by employers / work with a local dementia awareness group Nov 2013 - Half day

5. Lecture and group work on critical thinking Mar 2014 - Full day

6. The reality of HE and the workplace May 2014 - Full day

Evaluation• One year pilot report• Two year pilot report to be completed in

Autumn 2014• Dissemination of findings• Further work?

Some issues to ponder . . .