Compelling Reasons why we need to keep the Connexions Career Service
Here are but a few examples of why Connexions is such a valued service in this country. People whose lives have been changed by Connexions feel so strongly about the proposed cuts they are determined to unite and fight back.
Case Study One
We live in Berkshire and have been campaigning against the proposed cuts.
My son is 17 now. He hasAspergers Syndrome.Up until last year he was at the local comprehensive where he was bullied over many years, in and out of school, and assaulted on one occasion in the school.He had got to the point of threatening to self harm and was on the point of leaving all educational provision.
The Special Needs dept of the LA (Windsor and Maidenhead)were no help at all as they kept insisting that his school could meet his needs.The impact on our whole family was devastating and I nearly had a breakdown trying to deal with it all.
The Connexions PA was the key person who helped us. She counselled my sonwhen he was low. She went out of her way to help us explore possible options for him.She found us his current school in Berkshire and helped us through the process of fighting the local authority to let him go there, even when we were meeting all transport needs and costs for him.
One year on and our son is a different person and he said to the Connexions worker recently "You have changed my life" and she has. He has passed his Travel and Tourism course this year.He has passed his English GCSE re-sit with a grade C.
He has done a week's work experience in Oxford Tourist Centre and has started swimming at school for the first time ever. He has done voluntary work at a charity shop in Thame.He has learnt to travel independently even as far as Wales.He is doing voluntary work over the summer at a holiday camp for special needs children.He is confident and happy and is much more likely to be employable.He has signed up to return to school in the Autumn to do an A level in Business Studies.
Without the intervention of the Connexions service I honestly believe that he would have left education last year, would have been unlikely to find employment and would probably have ended up with a lifetime on benefits and serious mental health problems. What cost to society then? What cost to himand his family who love him?
I will continue to campaign on behalf of Connexions and wish you all well. I wish myself and my son to remain anonymous for reasons of privacy but feel strongly enough to share the invaluable life changing support given to my son and family by the Connexions service.
Case Study Two
“I accessed Connexions services since I can remember. I’m now 20 and work as a Youth Link Worker for them. It is such a great company with young people’s best interests at heart.”
Case Study Three
“I sat in the Open building in Norwich on Wednesday waiting to been seen for an interview, about five different groups of young people walked in hoping to go to the 'drop in' at Connexions. However it was shut due to a private meeting, each group were either disappointed or angry after being told that the service was unavailable for one day! What on earth will the young people do who often stream in to seek advice do when it closes down altogether.”
Case Study Four
“I work with young offenders one of the vulnerable groups and often NEET - Connexions is needed by young people. They need a service that will listen to issues they face. We need to keep this service going. Who else is going to work with young people and try and get them into education, training or employment (yes the...re are plenty of opportunities out there) we "teach" the young people how to access them, develop life skills and believe in themselves. Give your support to Connexions around the country - for me its Birmingham.”
Case Study Five
“I was made redundant as a Careers Advisor from HertfordRegionalCollege on the 31st of June. I am 60 so I have retired. Keep up the fight; these attacks on the service are a huge blow to young people. I’m happy to speak at any meeting or rally.”
Case Study Six
“Young people need connexions; my son was out of work 18 months under the job centre with not alot of help as he was 21. Young people haven’t got chance nowadays with jobs, nobody gives them chance and at connexions it’s more understanding of young adults.”
Case Study Seven
“Comments via a letter from a parent to me today "Many thanks to Connexions' staff and vacancy service for their help in helping my son into work. He is now working as a Commis Chef and studying towards his NVQ qualifications after having spent a long time job seeking/on Job Seekers' allowance".”
Case Study Eight
“Connexions got me my first job when I was 16, helped me with my application forms etc. The schools in this country aren't the best, so they need connexions particularly for people failed by the education system. The government surely won’t be cutting connexions when they put such a high value on employment and work. I also want to say that connexions are not only about getting people into work or college; they give many young people Hope and confidence in themselves that they can achieve.”
Case Study Nine
“Connexions needs to be saved, without that I would have known nothing about what kind of help I could get college wise, I would have been completely screwed after having my kid, and I probably wouldn't even have a career right now!”
Case Study Ten
“Comments froma young person today....'I have had my connexions worker since October 2009. She has helped me a lot with DLA forms, housing forms, letters, attending my appointments e.g. doctors, medicals. Without her help I would find it hard attending my appointments alone as I suffer from anxiety. She is always there if I need someone to talk to or if I need help. I am very thankful that I have Connexions as it has made a big difference in my life.' (Young female of 19, Norwich)”
“I have been with connexions numerous times in the last 9 years. They have helped me with stuff in my life like training and getting me work. If connexions stops, I don't know what people like me will do, probably not alot.' (Young man and father aged 24, Norwich)”
“My connexions adviser has helped me with my drug abuse, helped me get back into education and I am now starting college in September. Connexions has been there for me, has always helped me with my problems, if I hadn't of had her and Connexions help I don't think I would ...be where I am today. I've been clean of the drugs now for 2 1/2 years. I think Connexions getting shut down is a really bad idea because there are so many people in need of connexions, they are so helpful and have so many resources, and can help you with anything possible for them to do' (young person and mother aged 19, Norwich)”
Case StudyEleven
An email from a parent:
“I really want to say that in my experience I've been to Connexions in
Thetford, Norwich, Yarmouth and Dereham at different times and for different reasons and I've never found their offices empty so that shows the need to me.
Also I think that it needs to be pointed out that many 16-18 year olds havedifficulty accessing appropriate services as they aren't children or adults. It's like they're not counted.
Connexions for many, is their only voice. Whenschools decide to give up on difficult young people again it's Connexions that catch them. When housing decides to move them away from everyone they've known, again it's Connexions that help them through. When they're in B and B itsConnexions that help them manage their time and help them value themselves andreach their goals and so much more.”
Case Study Twelve
“Connexions play a vital role for lots of young people and their families. During my sons teenage years he's needed their services and as a disabled adult still does. Their work is so vital; all teenagers access their services at sometime. To close them is like society's going backwards. I've never been in an empty connexions office they're alwaysbusy and I've been in at least 4 on many occasions. I wonder if they even bothered to look at the services they think are irrelevant and know what they actually contribute.”
Case Study Thirteen
“I'm a mental health nurse (and unison steward) in Norwich, working with 14-19 year olds –I am writing to my MP to stress the importance of the connexions service - PAs make timely referrals to our service, and provide vital support to help our service users remain in education or training. Many more young people will slip through the net if these proposed cuts go ahead.”
Case Study Fourteen
“I trained for the careers service in 1974 and have worked here ever since - helping to provide what I have always believed to be a very effective, valued and necessary job. It is a pity that not all the local authorities share that view. Possibly they could have paid some better attention to the young people whom they are supposed to be listening to in terms of youth voice. My main thought at present is what the local authorities are going to do when all the people currently flocking into Connexions centres with their parents to look for help with exam results/finding work turn up on the councils' doorsteps?”