An exploration of young people's, parent/carers', and professionals' experiences of a voluntary sector organisation operating a Youth Information, Advice, and Counselling (YIAC) model in a disadvantaged area

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Hassan, Shaima M. and Worsley, Joanne and Nolan, Lisa and Fearon, Nicky and Ring, Adele and Shelton, Jane and McEgan, David and Yameen, Farheen and Khedmati, Esmaeil Morasae and Kullu, Cecil (2022) An exploration of young people's, parent/carers', and professionals' experiences of a voluntary sector organisation operating a Youth Information, Advice, and Counselling (YIAC) model in a disadvantaged area. BMC Health Services Research, 22 (1). 383. ISSN 1472-6963 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07800-1)

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Abstract

Background: The present evaluation explored young people’s, parents/carers, and healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the Youth Information, Advice and Counselling (YIAC) model operated by a voluntary sector organisation in North West England. With an aim to understand the key components that contribute to enhancing the success of the YIAC model. Method: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with young people, parents/carers, and healthcare professionals were conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Five main themes were identified from the data: 1) Accessibility and flexibility; 2) Non-clinical model and environment; 3) Staff; 4) Partnership working; and 5) Promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of non-clinical, community-based, ‘one-stop-shop’ hubs for young people in disadvantaged areas. The key components highlighted as facilitating access and engagement include: opportunity to self-refer, choice of location, timely provision of support, non-clinical environment, age appropriate services, a non-hierarchical workforce, inclusive support for family and carers, a focus on wider, often social, issues, and collaboration with partner organisations. These findings suggest that early support hubs for young people’s mental health should have consistent, long-term funding and should exist in every local area.

ORCID iDs

Hassan, Shaima M., Worsley, Joanne, Nolan, Lisa, Fearon, Nicky, Ring, Adele, Shelton, Jane, McEgan, David, Yameen, Farheen, Khedmati, Esmaeil Morasae ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2172-9653 and Kullu, Cecil;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)