Systems Changers
We are committed to ‘systems change’ as an approach to break the cycles of disadvantage. We use systems-informed practice to direct our work at those points in the system where we can bring about positive, sustainable change.
Next Generation
Next Generation practitioners adopt a systemic approach to tackle the issues, risks and barriers young people face in their lives. Next Gen aims to highlight, challenge, and change the systems surrounding young people so that responses are more effective and young people are more engaged. As a result, young people are better protected from harm with improved outcomes.
We develop a comprehensive understanding of what the barriers and enablers are for young people, for parents, for professionals and for the system(s). We collaborate with partners to generate insight and to pilot new ways of working. We raise awareness and make recommendations to those with influence.
Next Gen run community-based sessions across Nottingham City and County in areas where high-exclusion schools are situated. These sessions provide parents with easy-to-understand information to better advocate for their children within school exclusion processes
Next gen
Next Gen began its systems change work on school exclusions as many of the young people we worked with were regularly being excluded from school. We found this was usually related to their experiences with special educational needs and/or living with adversity. This led us to complete a 2-year systemic inquiry. We added this knowledge to our service delivery insight, and then spoke directly to young people in Nottingham who were experiencing school exclusion. Our findings were put into a report to develop the conversation more widely and to encourage others to join us in our work Behaviour management and school exclusions: voice of the next generation.
dedicated systems change worker
Next Generation now has a dedicated systems change worker. Part of this role is to facilitate a collaborative group called the Next Gen Community which involves over 70 professionals from around 30 organisations. The group formed to better understand the issues that children and young people with more complex lives face on a day-to-day basis, in the hope of creating a better future for the next generation. The community aims to bring people together for collaborative action.
Our current two areas of priority focus are:
- Reducing school exclusions (especially for those who are disproportionately affected)
- Increasing reach and engagement of vulnerable CYP into physical activity
