Project summary
A thousand young people in Midlothian gave feedback on their issues and needs, and in response the MYPAS project was set up to deliver counseling and advice on sexual health and substance misuse.
Project Dates
Start Date: 01/03/2000
Ongoing
Location of project
Lothian
Area of healthcare
Counselling, Specialist care
Target groups
Children and young people
Guidelines followed
Protecting Children and Young People: Framework for Standards
Protecting Children Living in Families with Problem Substance Use
Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare clinical effectiveness unit
Enhancing Sexual Wellbeing in Scotland
Approaches used
Focus groups, Interviews, Round table workshops, Surveys
Aims and objectives
Establish a clinic service that was responsive to the health needs of local young people.
Increase young people’s knowledge of sexual health issues.
To contribute to sex education within high schools and community based agencies.
Contribute to the delivery of sexual health training for local workers and volunteers.
What we did
Prior to the project starting, a needs assessment was carried out to find out the needs of young people in Midlothian. Over 1000 young people supplied their views - either through focus groups or questionnaires.
In addition, over 30 statutory and voluntary services where asked to give their views via questionnaires.
Ongoing evaluation of the project has been carried out in a number of ways, including interview and questionnaires.
Training undertaken
Training has been ongoing, and has included clinical updates and training specific to working with young people.
Evaluation
Lothian NHS carried out formal evaluation after the first 3 years of project.
The evaluation comprised of the following elements:
- Collation and analysis of routine monitoring data from the clinic service
- A self-completed questionnaire for local professional
- A self-completed questionnaire for MYPAS staff and Board of Directors
- A self-completed questionnaire for young people who have used the clinic service
Plans for the future
Ongoing evaluation and auditing influence the development of the project.
This year we have seen the development of our “Connected” team, which
offers advice and support to young people with substance misuse and alcohol issues aged 14-16 years.