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Wellbeing (SHANARRI) indicators are core to the Getting it Right for Every Child framework for services that work with young people and families in Scotland. The approach supports children and young people to grow up feeling loved, safe and respected and can realise their full potential.
The indicators are used in this evaluation to understand youth work's impact on wellbeing. Over two years, data was gathered from almost 1,500 young people which asked how they felt as part of the youth activity, at school or at home. Guidance notes were developed with youth workers and some organisations adapted the exercise to make it fit with their context.
Results confirm that most young people view their youth organisations and home life with equally high regard, with all eight indicators scoring an average above four out of a maximum of five.
School achieves a positive rating above the mid point of three, albeit at a lower level than at home or the youth activity. Feedback suggests that lower school ratings are due to youth work being a choice rather than a necessity. For youth work it confirms that approaches and relationships are making young people feel safe and included, like part of an extended family - as many have testified.
Conversely, one in twelve respondents gave a negative rating (0-3) for feeling safe at home. Filtered responses for this group found that despite having negative views of home and school, youth work remained positive (above three) for all eight indicators. Negative feelings at home were often linked to a breakdown in relationships with parents, carers or siblings. Similarly negative views at school were associated to a breakdown in relationships with teachers or peers. Therefore case studies were used to explore potential reasons for the strength of positive relationships with youth workers and how this alleviates the effects of adversity.
Link to open interactive Wellbeing SHANARRI results for all respondents.
Link to open interactive Wellbeing SHANARRI results for those that feel less safe at home.
Wellbeing (shanarri) results
4.1
2.88
2.31
2.99
2.82
3.56
2.69