Young Families Support Service, Townsville, Qld
Stronger Families Learning Exchange Bulletin No.5 Autumn 2004 p.49
Further update: in a third round of questions projects were asked about their development particularly in relation to the use of action research in their work.
What has the project been doing since the last report?
The project has continued to provide a high level of intensive individual assistance in the past six months with referrals reaching maximum capacity at one stage.
YFSS has continued to run the Preparation for Parenthood (antenatal) Program and the Young Parents Group with the development of two new one-off/trial groups. These two new groups were a 'parenting skills for toddlers' and an 'anxiety group'.
A focus group on young parents wanting to re-enter the workforce was held looking at the issues that young people face, with the idea of developing a skill/information based program to assist people in this area. We have had our biyearly reference group meeting, and participated in AIFS parenting education research and our own data collection.
How has the project incorporated Action Research into its work?
Whenever groups are run such as antenatal, young parents, anxiety and toddlers groups there are always elements of action research. There is a standard evaluation processes such as questionnaires and we are always listening to and collecting verbal feedback. From listening to our customers the service has run a focus group and changed elements of our group sessions. When a participant comes to the end of their intervention they are provided an evaluation/ exit questionnaire and/or an exit interview. A Reference group that meets biyearly.
YFSS is constantly changing service delivery due to demand, customer feedback, current trends or issues. This has been evident in the remodelling and streamlining of our service as well as the development of new groups such as anxiety and parenting toddlers. Data is also collected about participants and the community agencies accessed.
How is the project recording its processes and learning (including but not only action research)
- Evaluation forms from groups
- Report writing
- Individual and a community database
- Re-structure of service delivery/ intake and writing about the process
- Writing in a comments book (feedback from young people and other workers)
- Conducting a focus group
- Reference group and minutes
- Gathering participants stories
- 6 monthly report.
What has been learned in the last six months that may be of interest and value to other projects?
A review of service delivery occurred when the service reached full client capacity, case management, group and research requirements. Due to this a brainstorming session was held to restructure the service delivery and prioritize the intake process. The service has now become more streamlined.
Social interaction is one of the key issues for young people and is a large reason why groups are so successful in this project. Accommodation and transport are still the biggest barriers for our participants.
