Read our response to the Milburn review

Late last year, the Government commissioned former Health Secretary Alan Milburn to launch an investigation into the causes of unemployment among 16 to 24 year olds.

Through a report, the review aims to explore what is stopping young people from participating in employment education and training; and what would make the biggest difference in supporting young people to participate.

Established by Shelter and Grand Metropolitan (now Diageo) in 1992, the UK Foyer movement is firmly rooted in youth employment. Taking inspiration from post-war France, UK Foyers integrated employment support into housing for young people who can’t live at home in order to break the ‘no job, no home, no job’ cycle of homelessness.

Over the last 34 years, the purpose of the Foyer Federation and the vision of the Youth Foyer network has remained the same, and the Foyer approach has evolved to meet contemporary needs.

The cornerstone of the modern-day Youth Foyer is the understanding that no one’s journey through life is linear; and that progression towards sustainable independence involves holistic personal development.

To that end, we have submitted evidence to the Milburn review that advocates for holistic, strengths-based support for young people that enables them to transition to adulthood with the power and agency to thrive.

Our recommendations:

• Support for young people should take a holistic view with wellbeing at the heart, with an appreciation that ‘work-readiness’ goes beyond job-seeking skills, and that young people are navigating a complex economic and societal landscape with rising mental health challenges, rising cost of living and increased barriers to safe and stable housing.
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• Support for and narratives surrounding young people should be asset-based, prioritising and promoting young people’s strengths and potential, and holding out the same aspirations for young people as we would for our own friends and families.
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• The workforce supporting young people into and towards employment, education and training should be trained and skilled in strengths-based approaches, IAG and trauma-informed practice, and knowledgeable of wrap-around support available.
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• Support should provide opportunities for young people to engage in and build meaningful community and support networks, and provide young people with the opportunities to build connections and positive relationships.
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• Young people should be provided with aspirational and empowering work experience and learning opportunities that align with their goals, with opportunities to learn from professionals with lived experiences that match their own.