My first document

I Can't Be

What I Can't See SENSE OF SELF MANIFESTO

We are Failing!

The failure to identify a ‘sense of self’ is fragmenting aspirations and contributing to poor mental wellbeing amongst young people.

Manifesto Developing positive aspirations starts with a strong sense of self!

This manifesto outlines an approach towards creating an environment of opportunity and exploration that encourages growth, self-value and supports the journey of self-discovery.

“Being good at something is important, but it’s not enough. To be in your element you have to love it. There are two main features to this, and two conditions. These features are aptitude and passion, the conditions are attitude and opportunity. Often the process goes something like this: I get it; I love it; I want it; Where is it?”

SIR KEN ROBISON (Robinson and Robinson, 2022)

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Manifesto for Creating a Sense of Self

Summary 6 OUR VISION

7 INTRODUCTION

8 DISCONNECT

10-14 CALL TO ACTION:

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1. Make Space for Self-discovery

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2. Build a Network of Opportunity

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3. Bridge the Barriers

18 CLOSING STATEMENT

Our Vision Our vision is that every young person has equal opportunities within their environment to flourish. Every child is unique, there intellect and abilities are diverse. They have every right to ensure education develops their personality, talents, and abilities to the full. The vision is supported by the idea that aligning passion and ability could lead to more purposeful aspirations.

Call to Action

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Make Space for Self-discovery

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Build Networks of Opportunity

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Bridge the Barriers

Introduction This manifesto has been developed in response to the research study which showed that a lack of ‘sense of self’ amongst young people is a contributing factor causing a disconnect toward developing meaningful aspirations aligned with the future job market.

For a deep understanding of ‘self’, requires a person to embark on a journey of selfdiscovery that helps them uncover characteristics, values, dreams, and passions which can be further explored and developed into talents, skills, and abilities. It is a deeply personal enquiry that requires the right conditions to disclose what is beneath the surface.

The research suggests that education is failing to provide the right conditions that nurture

diverse intellects and talents, the research study supports the literature that shows skills development happens once a person is out of primary and secondary education, indicating that we need to look beyond the walls of the circular if we are to support relevant skills developmentment, and must provide opportunities for self-discovery within the current education system. (Sir Ken Robinson: Finding Your Element, 2019; Mann et al., 2020).

To create the right environment, we advocate the need for the wider community, businesses, and organisations to work together to create opportunities and connections that help young people explore and develop their natural talents, passion, and abilities. Let’s help young people see everything they could be!

(Figure 2 Right Page: Disconnect in Sense of Self)

Disconnect Every day, young people make important decisions in relation to their future goals and dreams.

opportunities, and a person’s environment. The data from the study showed a disconnect on how young people articulate their characteristics and future

ARTICULATION OF JOB MARKET SKILLS The data showed that young people classed as ‘recent school leavers’ were aligned in the ‘say, do and make’, analysis showing negative identification of ‘skills’. However, young people with FE/Work experience were aligned, positively identifying with ‘skills’.

NEGATIVE

POSITIVE

FURTHER EDUCATION

SCHOOL LEAVER

(Figure 1: Data - Articulation of Skills )

However, the research suggested that their future aspirations are mismatched with careers that the economy need (Mann et al., 2020; Youthemployment.org, 2022). Aspiration development is complex process that involves multiple factors that influence choices, these include barriers,

desires, suggesting that lack of development of ‘sense of self’ is contributing to the disconnect.

(Above Figure 1) We call upon researchers, educators, and government to support the changes highlighted in our ‘call to action'.

Disconnect

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1. Make Space for Selfdiscovery The research study showed that lack of a ‘sense of self’ impacted how young people articulated their skills and abilities, even people who articulated clear career paths showed a disconnect on verbalising positive personal qualities. Further research suggests that time, space, and place is needed to encourage the exploration of self, interest, talent and skills (Robinson and Robinson, 2022).

Time: Young people need free time to explore interested and passion that might not be available in the curriculum.

Place: Self exploration needs to be given a place in the planning of lessons, using tools and resources that support learning and development.

Space: A safe space for exploration is needed, this requires a mindset for experimentation and learnings from failure.

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Proposed Solution: Government and Policy Co-design with Experts.

The government need to work collaboratively with teachers on implementing an educational policy designed to create space in the curriculum, understanding what is needed by listening and valuing the voices of teachers and young people, and using this research to implement a policy that meets the needs of its users and supports the future econemy. Learning plans should be developed to deliver learning that meets individual needs, this requires a flexible approach that allows young people to learn from oppotunities beyond the cirriculm. Policy needs to give back control, allow free time and student choice to support learning that is driven by interest and passion.

Manifesto: Creating a Sense of Self

Disconnect

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Manifesto: Creating a Sense of Self

2. Build a Network of Opportunity

Proposed Solution: Grassroots Collaboration

The research shows that the understanding of ‘self’ and ‘skills’ usually happens in further learning, or from work-based experience, this is supported in the research study showing young people leaving education did not identify with ‘skills’, potentially down poor development, or lack of understanding (Mann et al., 2020; Youthemployment. org, 2022). To support the development of skills and talents, we need to consider alternative learning environments that could be offered from collaborating with the community, businesses and organisations, building a support network to help young people explore their talents and passions through hands-on experience.

Collaboration in education with local businesses, organisations and the community is needed to support career-skills development that can provide young people to develop soft skills and technical skills through hands on experience. Working together would support varied and alternative routes for young people seeking development in areas which the current curricular doesn’t currently offer.

To achieve this would require flexibility from the government towards an educational policy that opens space in the timetable for alterantive learning, and ensure the process is made flexible for those who can offer opportunities.

Disconnect

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3. Bridge the Barriers The barriers that young people face when trying to reach their goals need to be fully acknowledged within policy.

There are many factors that influence person career path options, of particular interest were the educational barriers that young people face. The data collected showed that not having the required grades for Maths and English presented barriers for many of the participants, this dictates what courses a person is able to take in FE, and affects apprenticeships, many of which require a minimum grade of 4/5.

Another issue is the limitations placed on subjects when choosing GCSE options, this creates a bias towards certain types of learners and talents. GSCE options can affect a person being able to develop skills specific to their aspirations, the outcomes of GCSE results directly impact options when planning the next steps in career paths.

Proposed Solution: Central Service to Support Young People and Employers.

A new approach is needed that provides alternative solutions to navigating barriers. There is a need to work with educators and future employers, working on alternative criteria that is inclusive to all learners, by recognising and valuing a person skills and attitudes over academic ability, and working with young people to help them develop career ready skills and attitudes. A support network is needed for employers so they can support the development of the future worker, this requires careers services and education to work together with them to ensure that resources, support, and access to learning is easy to reach. This could be recognised in the form of a centralised service that work closely to build relationships, and a system that supports both employers and young people.

Bit ata nus et qui cusdam ut es ressectemodi ut res et,

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Put Your Book Title Here (Master Page)

Disconnect

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Closing Statement The call to action in this manifesto is supported by the study ‘helping young people align their natural abilities with aspirations’. We fully acknowledge within this research that the development of aspirations is a complex issue that is impacted by, but not limited to, personal, educational, and social factors of each individual person. It does however make the case for more research within the 3 key areas discussed in the 'call to action', with a focus of working with stakeholders to understand needs that can inform better policy outcomes. Lets help all young people to SEE all they can BE.

Sense of Self

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Manifesto: Creating a Sense of Self

Reference list Mann, A., Denis, V., Schleicher, A., Ekhtiari, H., Forsyth, T., Liu, E. and Chambers, N. (2020). Teenagers’ Career Aspirations and the Future of Work. [online] Available at: https://www.oecd. org/berlin/publikationen/Dream-Jobs.pdf.

Robinson, K. and Robinson, K. (2022). Imagine If ... : Creating a Future for Us All. New York: Penguin Publishing Group.

Sir Ken Robinson: Finding Your Element. (2019). YouTube.

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17fbxRQgMlU. Youthemployment.org (2022). @YEUK2012 youthemployment. org.uk CENSUS VOICE YOUTH 2022 REPORT SPONSORED

BY YOUTH VOICE CENSUS 2022. [online] Available at: https:// www.youthemployment.org.uk/dev/wp-content/themes/yeuk/ files/youth-voice-census-report-2022.pdf.

Images in this article designed by Jenna Lusty: Front Cover: I can't be what I can't see Image 2: Sense of Self - Reflect Image 3: Product of my environment Image 4: Breaking free from the barriers

Disconnect

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MANIFESTO: CREATING 'SENSE OF SELF'.

Developing positive aspirations starts with a strong sense of self!

This manifesto outlines an approach towards creating an environment of opportunity and exploration that encourages growth and self-value, and advocates for a system that supports the journey of self-discovery.

I CAN'T BE WHAT I CAN'T SEE 18

Manifesto: Creating a Sense of Self