MA Dissertation.

In November 2018 Caerphilly Youth Service introduced a pilot scheme with the purpose of providing a universal model of youth work delivery to increase participation of young people, recognised as requiring support, in a cluster area registered as the Caerphilly East. This dissertation evaluates this scheme, asking should it now become the adopted model of delivery. Through extensive examination of relevant literature and empirical research, involving a mixed method approach where young people and youth workers completed questionnaires and participated  in interviews, two main themes were identified,  ‘Building Blocks’ (pre-requisites for young people to thrive) and ‘Scaffolding’ (what is needed to hold up the services for young people).

Relationships, support and activities were recognised as working well, however the cluster size and availability of regular outdoor activities were found to not work so well. Improvements are required to the communication of information, number of sessions on offer and the participation levels of young people involved. Participants supported this scheme becoming the adopted model, although the researcher learned that the size of the cluster area requires a significant reduction and that young people and youth workers would benefit from being involved in cluster meetings.