The Foyer Federation’s FOR Youth Accreditation Panel met twice this year to review the progress of services that have been working towards initial endorsement , certification or re-certification for Accredited Foyer status. This unique process gives us a secure insight into annual performance trends across its UK network.
With a dataset from 17 Accredited Foyers covering more than 1000 young people between 2019-2020, we have a secure evidence base from which to share learning points in comparison with the previous year.
- Length of stay in Foyers is marginally on the decline, down from 60 to 54 weeks, but still around the 12 month mark to provide young people with adequate transition time. Staff attrition has significantly increased from 8% to 21%, reflecting additional pressures on support work, although case load sizes have remained an average of 1-10. While the numbers of staff trained in an asset approach has sustained a high level of 72%, the numbers trained in coaching has declined by almost 10% from 65% to 56% suggesting a need for further provision to invest in the skills of new staff in Foyers.
- The Foyer community has kept a similar age balance across the 16-25 age range with 52% aged 16-18. The main changes have been an increase in young people from Refugee and ESOL backgrounds, up from 8% to 24%, and, most significantly, those with a diagnosed mental health need (up by 10% to 46%). Foyers consistently report that the numbers experiencing a mental health challenge is far higher than the number entering with a diagnosis, and thus it is also positive to note below that Health remains a successful area for Foyer impact.
- Outcomes have seen a consistent increase in impact across most of The Foyer Federation’s Advantaged Thinking Theory of Change areas for young people leaving Foyers, with the biggest recorded progress in Health which rose from 68% to 81% of young people, followed by social skills increasing from 76% to 85%. Personal development remains the top impact area, increasing by 2% up to 90% of young people. Evidence from the Theory of Change suggests that, despite the operational pressures, Foyers have increased their ability to make a difference through the strong Advantaged Thinking focus advocated in the FOR Youth accreditation standards.
- The lowest impact in Theory of Change areas continues to be progress in education and employment, with a marginal 5% decline in education progress from 59% to 54%, but an increase of 7% in employability up to 47%. Despite the overall lower progress rates, there has been an increase in both areas for young people taking up work or educational options during their stay, rising by 10% to 30% for those taking up a new qualification, and by 8% for those taking up full or part time work (now at 38%). This is reflected in a 10% increase in those in work or education on exit, rising from 40% to 50%. Impact on education and employment is lower than other areas, but the data indicates that Foyers are supporting more young people to engage.
- Move on destinations remain similar to last year, with a slight increase of 4% to 50% moving on to their own tenancy or into university. In line with the above improvements, eviction rates have also declined, falling from 19% to 13%, with abandonments remaining at 3%, meaning that 84% of young people complete a positive stay at the Foyer. Further investment in post Foyer tracking data would help evaluate how far young people are able to sustain and build on positive progress beyond the Foyer.
Based on these performance insights, The Foyer Federation identifies that:
- Foyers are under increased pressure from shorter lengths of stay, higher staff turnover, reduced access to coaching training for staff, and more young people entering with mental health challenges.
- Despite operational pressures, Foyers perform strongly with 84% positive stays, increased levels of 80% to 90% of young people making progress in housing, health, social skills, financial capability and personal development; and more young people taking up work and education, with 50% in one of these options on exit.
- Advantaged Thinking Foyers continue to equip young people to make positive transitions. Of course, Covid-19 is likely to impact on these outcomes over the year ahead, bringing additional pressures on mental health, move on options and access to work and education. However, Foyers entered the pandemic period with a strong foundation of quality assured practice. The Foyer Federation is confident that the enterprising ethos and belief in young people that thrives in Accredited Foyers will help to find solutions to society’s emerging challenges. The Foyer approach is as relevant to the future of young people as it has ever been.