Page 1 of 5 Title Evaluate positive youth development initiatives Level 6 Credits 15 Purpose People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe and assess methods used to evaluate positive youth development initiatives; design an evaluation method for a positive youth development initiative and justify design using evaluation theory and practice; engage with participants to evaluate a positive youth development initiative; and use evaluation outcomes and recommendations to inform future positive youth development initiatives and own youth development practice. Classification Social Services > Youth Development Available grade Achieved Entry information Recommended skills and knowledge Unit 26128, Gather and analyse information for youth development purposes, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills. Explanatory notes 1 This unit standard is underpinned by the principle in the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa 1 (YDSA) that youth development "needs good information". It prepares people to use their knowledge and understanding of youth development practice to work with young people, and to practice accountably within established organisational policies, procedures and protocols. 2 When contributing to achievement of a degree or any degree-related qualification, assessment of this unit standard must be integrated within an approved programme of study. Those providers wishing to offer a degree programme containing this standard are referred to CMR 0222 for further information on requirements. 1 Page 7 Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa, accessed from http://www.myd.govt.nz/aboutmyd/publications/youth-development-strategy-aotearoa.html
Page 2 of 5 3 Glossary: Data is a collection of information from which conclusions can be drawn. Data may be qualitative (eg open ended subjective data derived from interviews, focus groups, open ended responses to surveys, interviews); or quantitative (eg data expressed as a number derived from tests, closed surveys or other measures that can be expressed on a numerical scale). Techniques for analysing data includes basic quantitative data analysis such as frequency, average, mode, percentage, proportion; and qualitative data analysis including content analysis, and the identification of common themes, patterns and trends. Evaluation is the systematic determination of merit, worth and significance of something or someone using criteria against a set of standards. The generic goal of most evaluations is to provide useful feedback to a variety of audiences, including sponsors, donors, service users, administrators, staff, and other relevant constituencies. Most often, feedback is perceived as useful if it aids in decisionmaking. Informed consent is agreement to a procedure given by a person with the full knowledge of the process used, the risks involved, probable consequences and alternatives. Organisational protocols are the guidelines, rules and regulations of an organisation including its legal requirements, policies, procedures, templates and processes. Participants means the young people who are actively involved in a positive youth development initiative. Practice supervision is a contracted relationship with a skilled peer who provides a safe context to reflect on and review aspects of, or episodes in, a professional s practice. It involves a worker meeting with an independent person who has advanced experience, knowledge and practice skills, including skills in supervisory practice. Practice supervision happens either inside or outside the workplace in a confidential setting. Positive youth development initiative means a specific intervention, activity or programme of activities designed, using positive development principles, philosophies and practices, to produce a positive outcome for a young person or group of young people. Stakeholders are people and organisations who have an interest in a project or initiative including: colleagues, service users, funders, policy makers, and the communities the organisation interacts with including iwi, Pasifika communities, local and regional governments and their agencies. Youth/young people are people between the ages of 12 and 24. Youth development organisation is the organisation responsible for delivering the positive youth development initiative being evaluated. 4 Assessment notes: This unit standard may be assessed against evidence of demonstrated performance in the workplace and/or through the use of simulated workplace settings in an educational environment. Workplace settings can include field or practice learning placements.
Page 3 of 5 Outcomes and evidence requirements Outcome 1 Describe and assess methods used to evaluate positive youth development initiatives. evidence of assessment of three evaluation methods. 1.1 Methods used to evaluate positive youth development initiatives are described. description includes but is not limited to intended application of the method, procedures used, ethical and cultural considerations, types of data obtained, analytical tools used to analyse data obtained. 1.2 Strengths and limitations of evaluation methods are assessed. assessment includes but is not limited to uses of evaluation methods, strengths and limitations in relation to their adaptability to different situations, cultures, group sizes, ages of young people, development initiatives. Outcome 2 Design an evaluation method for a positive youth development initiative and justify design using evaluation theory and practice. 2.1 Positive youth development initiative is selected and outcome indicators and measures used to evaluate initiative are agreed with stakeholders. a minimum of three stakeholders, including at least one from each of the youth development organisation, participant group and the participant group s wider community. 2.2 Evaluation method and tools are designed and justification for design is provided using evaluation theory and practice. design includes participant and other stakeholder involvement, procedures for data collection and verification, ethical and cultural considerations, procedures for maintaining data integrity and confidentiality of participants, procedures for analysing data. 2.3 Ethical and organisational approval for evaluation is obtained using
Page 4 of 5 Outcome 3 Engage with participants to evaluate a positive youth development initiative. 3.1 Young people are engaged to participate in evaluation, are fully informed of evaluation purpose and process to be followed and their informed consent is obtained. 3.2 Data is collected and analysed using 3.3 Conclusions are drawn from the collected and analysed data on the effectiveness of the youth development initiative in achieving agreed outcomes. 3.4 Highlights, achievements, strengths, issues and risks are identified and opportunities for continuous improvement are recorded according to 3.5 Draft report setting out evaluation purpose, method, findings, conclusions and recommendations is prepared and shared with key stakeholders using 3.6 Feedback on draft report is integrated into final report and report is presented to youth development organisation. presentation should include a minimum ten minute oral presentation containing a summary of key findings and recommendations. Outcome 4 Use evaluation outcomes and recommendations to inform future positive youth development initiatives and practice, and own youth development practice. 4.1 Evaluation findings are used to make recommendations for changes to organisational practice aimed at strengthening positive youth development practices. recommendations include but are not limited to proposals for new or revised initiatives arising from the evaluation, report including recommendations for changes to organisational practice. 4.2 Evaluation findings are reflected on under practice supervision to develop own youth development practice. reflection includes identification of strengths in practice and opportunities for further professional development.
Page 5 of 5 Planned review date 31 December 2013 Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions Process Version Date Last Date for Assessment Registration 1 14 April 2011 N/A Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference 0222 This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do. Please note Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment. Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards. Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards. Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements. Comments on this unit standard Please contact the info@careerforce.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.