NEGATIVE FINDINGS PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT As described in Hackney Council’s ‘Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-2018’, educational support for adults and young people is a key feature of the council’s future strategy:
"In my neighbourhood, there are formal and informal opportunities for professional and personal development"
“Our focus is on raising aspirations and improving qualifications because we believe these are the key to improving opportunities later in life, and breaking the cycle of poverty. Worklessness and low incomes are the major underlying causes of poverty. Our ambition is that Hackney’s children and young people should do as well as children and young people anywhere in the country.” However, only 23% of the interviewees agreed that there are formal and informal opportunities for professional and personal development in their neighbourhood, whilst 41% were neutral or ambivalent and 21% disagreed. Also worth highlighting in this respect is that none of the interviewees in the <20 age group agreed with the statement. As the local headmaster mentioned:
“THERE ARE PLENTY OF OFFERS OUT THERE, BUT IT’S ONLY THE ALREADY AFFLUENT MAKING USE OF THEM. THIS ONLY INCREASES THE SOCIAL DIVIDE.”
Other interviewees stated resignedly:
“MOTIVATION IN THE COMMUNITY IS LACKING.” “MAYBE WE SHOULD GET KIDS TO VALUE LEARNING MORE.” And throughout the interview process, it was reported by local residents that there simply isn’t enough for young people to do on the estate. As one young man asked:
“HOW CAN YOU COME TO THE ESTATE EVERY DAY? IT’S SO BORING HERE!”
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