Social Housing & Homelessness Concept Paper Foyer Model Youth Foyer Proposed Model Paper
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- Appendix 1 About Foyers Background
- Appendix 3 UK Foyer Federation
- Current Features of Foyers
- Foyer Foundation in Australia
- Appendix 2 Examples of Youth Foyers Introduction
- Examples of Youth Foyers Contents UK Foyers Aberdeen, Scotland Page 2 Belfast, Northern Ireland Page 3
- Birmingham Midland Heart, Birmingham, England Page 7 Ireland Foyers Cork Youth Foyer, Cork Page 8 United States Foyers
- Garden Court Youth Foyer, Ilawarra, NSW Page 11 Miller Live N Learn Campus, Miller, Sydney, NSW Page 12 Ladder Hoddle Streeet Youth Foyer, Melbourne Page 13
- Scotland - Aberdeen Foyer
- Table: Details of Aberdeen Foyer accommodation.
- Totals 70 66 136
- Picture Removed: Aberdeen Foyer – Main building
Social Inclusion Social inclusion requires a new approach to developing and implementing policy and programs, requiring strong partnerships between all levels of government, business and community organisations to address economic and social disadvantage in Australia. Social inclusion is more than a sense of belonging; it is about meaningful participation in the wider community and economy. This is not separate to the efforts to reduce homelessness with economic participation and educational achievements being seen as a contributing factor to breaking the cycle of homelessness. The proposed model for the youth foyer will require partnerships with community not only for accommodation but also for training and education and other social inclusion programs such as mentoring, life skills and community involvement ie volunteering etc. A range of programs are likely to be available with support from Rotary and other community organisations.
Safety and security of participants is a key requirement for the success of a live in residential model. Evaluation of the Foyer model and similar models overseas and in Australia has highlighted safety and security as a high priority for participants and staff. It would also be a key requirement for the Department and the organisation operating a proposed model from the duty of care perspective. Security systems installed in UK Foyers vary from simple intercom/secure door to state of the art security measures to ensure the safety of participants. Feedback from the ACT Youth Stairwell indicates at a minimum a secure door and intercom system are necessary to ensure entry to the premises is controlled. They required this level of security to ensure no unwanted guests are admitted especially at night to cause disruption etc. In the ACT context a secure door and intercom system would meet minimum security standards and should be an adequate level of security. There is still an element of trust required in this system as a participant could admit people after hours. Most large Foyers have security monitoring systems to ensure any unauthorised persons are not admitted to the Foyer. This type of security system provides the best protection for staff and participants of the Foyer. The type of security system would depend on a security risk assessment for the Youth Foyer and the risk factors identified. It is proposed to carry out a security risk assessment once the built form of the Foyer and the target group are confirmed. Appendix 1 About Foyers Background The origins of the Foyer movement lie in post-war France, but can be traced back to the nineteenth Century. The name "Foyer de Jeunes Travailleurs" first appeared after the WWII, when rural-to-urban migration led to a rapid expansion in the Foyer network. The French government invested in Foyers to promote social inclusion and induction into labour market. Foyers were launched in the UK in 1992 with the establishment of The Foyer Federation through a partnership between leading homelessness charity (Shelter) and business (Diageo). Five pilot schemes based in existing YMCAs were initially established. With the Federation promoting the Foyer concept a remarkable period of growth saw the establishment of 40 Foyers by 1996 and 130+ at present. The movement has also spread internationally with Foyers being established in Australia and the following countries: Ireland
United States of America Netherlands France Germany
Examples of different Foyers in the above countries are provided at Appendix 3 UK Foyer Federation The UK Foyer Federation was set up in 1992 to promote and develop a holistic service model for young people who were both in housing need and unemployed. The federation obtained capital funding from the UK Housing Corporation following a competition. This funding established the first wave of Foyers which began to open in the mid 1990s. In the early period, the UK Foyer Federation also worked with a number of existing providers of hostel accommodation (mainly YMCAs) who wished to ‘convert’ their services into Foyers. In this way, what has become the UK Foyer movement began to develop. The UK Foyer Federation is the umbrella body for most UK Foyers and now for foyers in some other countries such as Australia ie. the Australian Foyer Foundation. There are currently a total of 300 plus Foyers in the UK of which around three-quarters are now fully accredited with the Federation. The role of the Federation is to:- • promote the Foyer concept in the UK and overseas; • meet the needs of members by sharing experiences and good practices; • ensure quality through a recognised Accreditation System; and • support fundraising for Foyers and the young people who live in them. As a minimum, Foyers provide safe and ‘affordable’ accommodation with personal support and access to learning and employment opportunities. The aims and objectives of the Federation are to:
Current Features of Foyers
Foyers usually operate under accreditation arrangements with the Foyer Foundation that has various levels help young disadvantaged people aged 16-25 who are homeless or in need of housing to stabilise their lives and achieve the transition to independence. The approach to each young person’s need is holistic. Foyer offers integrated access to: • Affordable housing • Support and security • Education and training opportunities • Work experience and job opportunities The relationship with the young person is based on an individual case plan that assists the young person break the “no home – no job – no home” cycle. Foyers establish pathways for each young person, beginning with a personal commitment to work to change their lives, and make an application to live in a learning environment that will support them in achieving their goals. This commitment is established by creating a formal contract between the young person and the Foyer. Foyers help young disadvantaged people aged 16-25 who are homeless or in need of housing to stabilise their lives and achieve the transition to independence. Foyers provide stable accommodation for the young person for a set period of time usually up to 2 years. Services usually include 24/7 staffing by professional and fully trained people. Led by a manager, a team of tenancy, administrative, support and security staff work together to provide a safe environment and personal support to young person residing in a Foyer. The experience of foyers internationally is that about 75% of residents will leave with full time work, or will be on their way to commence university. Resettlement support usually continues for up to 18 months or until the young person is confident living without it. Foyers in Australia The first operational foyer in Australia based on the UK model was established in the Sydney suburb of Miller NSW. Called the “Miller Live N Learn Campus” it opened in 2003 and offered skills learning and stable accommodation in self contained campus style units for up to 29 young people. The Live N Learn Foundation operated the service until May 2008 when it severed its ties with the Foyer Foundation. Live N Learn was initiated by the NSW Department of Housing as a way to offer better solutions for youth at risk of homelessness or youth exiting shorter-term accommodation. As an independent, not-for-profit company, Live N Learn applied a holistic approach to the needs of youth who require some ongoing support in order to re-establish themselves and halt a transition to chronic homelessness and unemployment. Live N Learn relies upon a combination of government and non-government sources in order to run a variety of programs available to young people. The programs are designed to support their study goals, obtain their desired job or assist them to live independently. Their main program is a mentoring model called Foyer like models are now being implemented in most States across Australia some under the “foyer” brand and others under Australian grown versions such as the “Ladder” model in Victoria and South Australia.
Ladder is a partnership approach between the State Government and Ladder, a community initiative of the Australian Football League (AFL) Players Association and AFL Foundation. The impact of the AFL brand and subsequent community influence and opportunities for young people has already proved to be of significant benefit to community acceptance of the program. The aim of the Ladder Program in SA is similar if not the same as the Youth Foyer model. The Ladder program is to provide young people with an affordable pathway out of homelessness within a supportive environment that matches quality accommodation with onsite supports. The model is specifically designed to permanently break the cycle of homelessness by intervening at the earliest point in a person’s homelessness career. The Ladder Program at Port Adelaide will provide accommodation for 23 young people in a supportive, but semi-independent living environment with both individual and program development provided by support workers and mentors. The Ladder Program will provide a mentoring program to all residents of the Ladder and will work with the service provider in ensuring that the residents achieve their goals and outcomes through connecting the housing model with broader community and business groups. The Mentor Program is being implemented to enable sporting professionals (including AFL Past and Present Players as well as professional female athletes) to be role models and assist in building lasting relationships with the young people in the program.
The Foyer Foundation was established in Australia in 2008 and holds intellectual property rights for Foyer in Australia. There are formal links with UK Foyer Foundation to enable transfer of intellectual learning and foyer accreditation systems to support the development of quality assured foyers in Australia. The Foyer Foundation has also established links and partnerships with Governments, service providers and consortia seeking to establish foyers across Australia. The UK Foyer Federation has proposed the following process for accreditation of Youth Foyers in Australia. Proposed Process
The UK Foyer Federation would work with Service Partners to apply a range of knowledge tools, including its Transformational Framework, to understand the political, social, cultural and regulatory context in which Foyers are developing in Australia. This will provide an overview analysis that would enable participants to understand the context, character, strengths and potential of the Foyer model in Australia in terms of its unique ‘asset’ footprint, impact, application and replicability. Stage 2: Endorse and promote specific projects as Foyers Using the Foyer Accreditation scheme’s Foyer Status Mark, the Foyer Federation will assess the Foyer’s focus, approach and relationship with young people to validate how the Foyer model in Australia meets the three tests of ‘foyerness’ and to equip the Foyer with an evidence base that demonstrates how the Foyer approach works. Stage 3: Train staff to apply the Transformational Framework and Foyer Mark Key personnel will be trained to understand how the Transformational Framework, Foyer Status processes and learn how to apply and use them in the Australian context. Stage 4: Support future development and relationships The analysis and reports from Stages 1 – 3 will enable the UK Foyer Federation to help the Australian Foyer Foundation to establish a Quality Development Guide and process that is fit for purpose to support the growth of Foyers in Australia. This might include the development of a development tool similar to the FISH Toolkit. This will enable the UK Foyer Federation to endorse and support the Australian Foyer Foundation’s approach to quality assurance and enable practice to be shared between Australia, the UK and other countries. The Accreditation Framework could also be used as a basis for specific training in areas such as Leadership. Once the Accreditation Framework is established, it is envisaged that it would be delivered entirely through the Australian Foyer Foundation. The UK Foyer Federation would review its operation periodically on an agreed basis as part of any ongoing agreement for the licensing of its intellectual property.
This appendix provides examples of Youth Foyers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States of America and Australia. This is to provide information about a cross section of foyers and how they operate in different countries with particular emphasis on those that have been set up in the Australian context. Examples of Youth Foyers Contents UK Foyers Aberdeen, Scotland Page 2 Belfast, Northern Ireland Page 3 Focus E15, London, England Page 4 Barking and Dagenham Foyer, London. England Page 5 First Step Assessment Centre, London. England Page 6 Birmingham Midland Heart, Birmingham, England Page 7 Ireland Foyers Cork Youth Foyer, Cork Page 8 United States Foyers Booth Brown House Youth Foyer, Saint Paul, Minosotta Page 9 Chelsea Youth Foyer, New York Page 10 Australian Foyers Garden Court Youth Foyer, Ilawarra, NSW Page 11 Miller Live N Learn Campus, Miller, Sydney, NSW Page 12 Ladder Hoddle Streeet Youth Foyer, Melbourne Page 13 Examples of Youth Foyers UK FOYERS General In general the UK approach to operating Foyers is for them to provide:
The service model has changed little in two decades and generally provides good outcomes for participants were Foyers are managed effectively. Features:
Scotland - Aberdeen Foyer Background Aberdeen Foyer is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee (registered in Scotland and a registered Scottish Charity) working to prevent and alleviate youth homelessness and unemployment. They provide supported accommodation, access to a range of education, training, employment opportunities and community health services for young people and their community. Features
The Foyer is similar to other UK foyers in that it is an accredited foyer and applies the same philosophies that address most of the issues facing vulnerable young people, aged 16 - 25, enabling them to take the next steps toward independent living, learning and work. The main distinguishing features of the foyer is that it operates business enterprises and is a networked foyer with a main service hub and accommodation foyers in surrounding districts. Some of the key features are:
Table: Details of Aberdeen Foyer accommodation.
In addition to housing support they offer the following services to tenants and people in the wider community: • ‘Lifeshaper’ - a community rehabilitation programme for those who have had drug problems • ‘Progress2Work’ - an employment support service aimed at helping former drug users gain employment • ‘Aberdeen Integrated Community Drugs Rehabilitation Service’ (ICDRS) - a multi agency initiative supported by the Aberdeen Joint Alcohol and Drug Action Team • ‘Outside In’ - tenant centred learning programme accredited by City & Guilds • ‘Move-On’ - practical support for former tenants moving into their own homes • ‘The Prince's Trust Team’ - 12 week personal development programme • ‘Get Ready for Work’ - employability programme for 16-18s includes work placements in a range of vocational areas • ‘Training for Work’ - employability programme for 18+ includes work placements in a range of vocational areas • ‘Young Carers Project’ - supporting young carers to develop personal, social and employability skills • ‘Gateway to Work’ - 2 week course providing concentrated help with job search skills. • ‘Build & Train’ - addresses skills shortages in the construction industry operating across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire • ‘Platform to Work’ - offers participants a chance to gain entry level jobs in the oil & gas sector • ‘Learning Houses” - a network of local Learning Houses and Family Learning support services • ‘Foyer Music’ - recording and rehearsal studio, live showcase events for new music and outreach workshops in Aberdeenshire • 'Sorted Not Screwed Up' - mental health and wellbeing service • ‘Foyer Health’ - aims to achieve healthier outcomes for everyone linked to Aberdeen Foyer provides programs aimed at knowledge, skills and resources to gain employment. The programs are run either directly by the Foyer or in partnership with other organisations. The Foyer also operates its own business enterprises on a commercial basis that are also used to assist tenants gain employment. Young persons are also encouraged towards leading a more healthier lifestyle with some of the programs available. The Foyer has a fairly dynamic approach and continues to respond to the needs and issues of young people and their communities through existing services and various new developments. Skills development and training at the Foyer has been proven to affect real and lasting change for vulnerable young people. The Foyer does embrace change to provide sound and imaginative services to enable young persons who were once on the margins of society to positively engage and contribute in their communities.
A unique aspect to the Aberdeen Foyer is the business model they have adopted which underpins the work of the Foyer with tenants and raises the profile of the Foyer in the community. They have set up a trading company that consists of the foyer restaurant & gallery (consistently voted one of the top three restaurants in Aberdeen), foyer restaurant and cafe bar at His Majesty's Theatre, Foyer graphics, Roadwise Driver Training and Foyer Works, a property maintenance business. These foyer business enterprises provide a twofold purpose of actually generating an income stream to support the work of the Aberdeen Foyer and also the ability to provide training & employment opportunities for the young people in the foyer. Most community organisations have difficulties running business enterprises to support the work of the charitable side of the organisation as the needs of the charitable side of the organisation tend to dominate the management energies of the organisation. This does not appear to be the case with the Aberdeen Foyer where there is a separate business enterprise team that is able to concentrate on running a commercial business in the community while supporting the work of the Youth Foyer. The business enterprises are ones that can employ young people.
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