Evaluation of the No Wrong Door initiative: views and experiences of young people accessing this service

Introduction: The Department for Education’s Innovation Programme awarded North Yorkshire County Council funding to develop an initiative called No Wrong Door (NWD). The initiative is aimed at young people aged 12 to 25 who... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction: The Department for Education’s Innovation Programme awarded North Yorkshire County Council funding to develop an initiative called No Wrong Door (NWD). The initiative is aimed at young people aged 12 to 25 who are in care or on the edge of care (because they are a child in need, or due to child protection or safeguarding concerns) and care leavers. It operates from two ‘hubs’. Each hub has a team that consists of: a manager, deputy managers, residential carers, portfolio leads, a clinical psychologist, a speech and language therapist, and a police liaison officer. The service also offers a variety of accommodation options (residential and foster care, supported lodgings and accommodation, and bespoke packages). It is anticipated that NWD will reduce adolescent entries into care and improve their outcomes. Aims and objectives: The evaluation being undertaken by CCFR at Loughborough University aims to measure changes in: accommodation stability; education, training and employment; criminal activity; risky behaviours; relationships with others; planning of transitions from care to independent living; and resilience, self-esteem and well-being. Methods: Interviews were undertaken with young people, birth and foster parents, and NWD staff; and anonymous quantitative data was collated by NWD staff. This paper focuses on the voices of the young people and their views and experiences of the NWD initiative. Results and conclusion: the NWD model has made substantial progress to achieving its intended aims. There were many examples of NWD staff promoting accommodation stability and the majority of young people supported by NWD stayed out of the care system. Many young people were working towards qualifications and NWD hub workers went the extra mile to support them around their education. There has been a decrease in arrests and missing incidents for those supported under NWD and an improvement in strength and difficulties scores.