Change needed to help disadvantaged young people beat barriers to work

Lorraine Mclaren says life outcomes are often still determined by wealth and class

etting a decent job, setting up home and having a circle of friends and family doesn’t seem like much to ask for.

However, according to a recent report to the First Minister – A Strong Start to Adulthood – for many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieving these basics in life is a distant hope.

The author of the report, Naomi Eisenstadt, the Scottish Government’s independent advisor on Poverty and Inequality, says there is much to be optimistic about, with improving school performance, low youth unemployment and more young people than ever before leaving school with a positive destination. Yet, she argues, life outcomes are largely still determined by the wealth and social class of our parents.

She says the persistence of the social class gradient is “deeply worrying” and calls for a change in culture and public attitudes towards education and employment so that all young people can access opportunities for well-paid work with decent prospects, no matter their background. Those who face particular barriers include young people with disabilities, young adults from ethnic minorities, those leaving care, young parents and the young men and young women who are carers.

At Wheatley, much of Naomi Eisenstadt’s findings chime with our experience. As Scotland’s biggest housing, care and property management group with homes in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities, we see the impact that poverty has on people’s opportunities and ambitions. We understand that giving people the chance to secure a job or an apprenticeship or access training or education is the best route to breaking the cycle of poverty.

We have been working hard, with our partners, to support young people to get on the career ladder and improve their life chances.

One of the most effective ways has been our Modern Apprenticeship scheme, funded through our charitable trust, the Wheatley Foundation. To date we have created 284 Modern Apprenticeship places, both in housing and administration, and more recently in environmental work. These give young people on-thejob learning, a qualification, a wage and help with travel costs and have helped countless young people facing real barriers turn their lives around.

One of them is Pamela. A young single parent, she was desperate to make a go of things for her and her child, but struggled with the demands of raising a child on her own.

But giving her a working pattern that balanced work with childcare meant she could get on the career ladder. She has completed her apprenticeship and now works as a GHA housing officer.

Pamela’s story shows how giving young people the opportunity and right support to develop can overcome barriers standing in their way.

More good quality training and experience for disadvantaged young people, such as that offered through our apprenticeship scheme, would go some way to addressing some of the inequalities highlighted by Naomi Eisenstadt. That’s why we also look to provide critical support to children at an early stage.

One successful initiative has been our schools programme with the Chartered Institute of Housing. So far, more than 100 pupils in Scotland have achieved a Level 2 Community Action in Housing qualification, giving them a national qualification and practical experience in the community – and providing them with a

0 The First Minister and Naomi Eisenstadt met with Wheatley environmental apprentices at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to launch the latest report from Naomi about life chances building block to achieve more. For the past three years, we have supported MCR Pathways Young Glasgow Talent programme, a pioneering mentoring scheme that supports children in and leaving care.

MCR Pathways works with children aged 13 and over, giving them 1:1 support. It makes school a more nurturing and positive place to be, and encourages participants to stay on, explore their interests and, ultimately, leave with an apprenticeship, job or place at college or university. It shows how pragmatic, practical solutions can help. In 2015, the rate

of mentored young people staying in school after the age of 16 rose to 79 per cent, compared with 27 per cent for non-mentored children, and 73 per cent of leavers went onto further and higher education. People talk about doors opening which had previously been shut. Like Naomi Eisenstadt we believe in working closely with young people to reach their full potential. A decent job, a home and friends and family should not be a distant hope for any young person in Scotland today.

Lorraine Mclaren, Wheatley Foundation director.