Dr Luke Roberts is delighted to share his new book for those interested in changing systems, leading with big ideas and what it takes to sustain innovation. This book shows how to apply thinking in systems to educational settings to enable readers to make a lasting difference.
System solutions identified by Resolve and championed by Spectra included the use of restorative practice to create a more empathetic experience when professionals engage with young people with care experience.
The CEO of SpectraConnect set Resolve Consultants the task of understanding the journey of young people through the criminal justice system. The findings of this mapping exercise would be present to a cross-ministerial meeting to support the implementation of system change.
Resolve Consultants has up until this point only conducted internal organisational maps within sectors. This challenge was significant as it requires understanding the perspectives of multiple sectors and professionals. Furthermore, the views of young people and adults with care experiences needed to be captured in a way that honoured their lived experience without re-enforcing narratives of victimisation.
Stakeholder engagement used the snow-ball methodology to gain access to additional professionals as well as from the support SpectraConnect in identifying other professionals and young people who would be willing to share their views and experiences.
The stakeholder analysis started to present a very powerful metaphor which was of a “Cliff Edge” this metaphor emerged in conversations and was tested with other stakeholders. From the insights it was clear that they system prior to 18 had a high adult ratio for a young person, yet very little empathy. Whereas, from the moment of turning 18, young people with care experience are expected to be fully functioning adults with the ability to understand legal, financial, and emotional decision making. The “Cliff Edge” represents a harsh boundary shift in service provision, support and identity which means that they can become quickly disadvantaged in terms of health and socio-economic opportunities.
What was not expected was a the identification of “The Second Cliff Edge” in which young people with care experience enter custody and the total lack of support for them when leaving meant that their life experience and opportunities meant sub-optimal life of drugs, reincarceration or suicide. What was also clear was the willingness of individual professionals to make a difference and a strong desire to change this trajectory. Yet, there was a recognition that the system itself perpetuated these dire experiences.
System solutions identified by Resolve and championed by Spectra included the use of restorative practice to create a more empathetic experience when professionals engage with young people with care experience. This would reduce the feeling that professionals were only interested in a “tick box exercise” and allow young people to be at the heart of the decision-making process.
A second recommendation was to build an “aspiration engine” for young people with care experience as it was clear that although professionals cared about young people there was a lack of long-term aspiration with the present focus on course, interventions or activities rather supporting young people with long term career prospects. The creation of an “aspiration engine” would have a longer term focus on the motivations, ambition and opportunities for young people with care experience. This would require professionals from across they system to come together to share information and be creative in seeking to inspire young people to achieve longer term goals.
The opportunity to work with SpectraConnect on such an important project showcase has Resolve seeks to implement system change. One of the most validating aspects was presenting back the findings and visualisation where adults disclosed their care experience and said how well it reflected their own experiences and journeys. Resolve continues to work with SpectraConnect to champion system change for young people with care experience.
