HOW THE FINDINGS WILL BE USED

We hope that the findings are used whenever and wherever there is discussion about young people and their lives in Guernsey.

We know that the information will be put to use by the following:

Schools

Each school can access its own results and it can compare its findings with students in all other Guernsey schools.

Schools find this useful because it helps them understand what their students think about their lives and what they can do to support those students. In particular schools can use the information to help them develop plans and prepare for inspections. Teachers find the information helpful because the findings provide a local perspective on national or international matters. For example lessons on bullying are much more meaningful when local evidence can be used.

Agencies that work with young people

Agencies as varied as public bodies such as school nurses, the police or the Sports Commission through to charities such as Guernsey Adolescent Smokefree Project (GASP), NCH and Drug Concern all use the information extensively.

The surveys help agencies to analyse the needs of young people today so that they can then work out how to allocate their resources to ensure that they are working with students in the most effective manner.

The surveys also help agencies see how trends are changing over time. For example, do young people drink, smoke or take drugs more or less often than before?

Politicians and Policy Makers

Any Island policies should be based on evidence. This survey provides the evidence base that can be used to make judgements about policies that affect young people and their families. In particular the surveys can be used when departments are responding to the Government Business Plan and to particular initiatives involving young people such as the future Children’s and Young People’s Plan.

Young People

We hope to organise some conferences so that we can gauge more views of young people. However, these views can be used whenever young people are trying to explain their views on the world.