Thesis

An Evaluation of the Ballyrunners Programme: Determining the Social and Economic Value of the Programme and the Factors that Contribute to its Success

Evelyn Kennedy

Thesis presented as part of the requirements for the MSc.Psychological Science,

University College Dublin

Table of Contents

Supervised by Dr. Joan Tiernan

July 2013

List of Tables………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..iii

List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….iv

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..v

Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..vi

Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1

1. Early School Leavers…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
   1. The Impact of Low SES on Early School Leaving………………………………………………………………………..2
   1. Early School Leavers and Unemployment in Ireland…………………………………………………………………….3
   1. Early School Leavers and Criminal Activity………………………………………………………………………………..4
   1. Early School Leaving and Social and Emotional Development and Well-being………………………………..5
   1. Addressing the Needs of Early School Leavers…………………………………………………………………………….6
   1. The Present Study……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
   1. Ballymun: An Area of social and economic disadvantage. …………………………………………………………….7
   1. The Ballymun Job Centre and the Ballyrunners Programme…………………………………………………………..7

Chapter 2: Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

2.1 Research Design…………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………….10

2.2 Participants………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………..12

2.3 Materials…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14

2.4 Ethical Considerations………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15

2.5 Procedure………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16

2.6 Analysis………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….18

Chapter 3: Findings…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….19

3.1 Contents………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….19

3.2 Qualitative Findings…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20

3.3 Discussion of Qualitative Findings in Light of Previous Research………………………………………………….56

3.4 Social Return on Investment Report……………………………………………………………………………………………60

3.5 Discussion of SROI Findings…………………………………………………………………………………………………….68

Chapter 4: Discussion……………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………70

4.1 Overall Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..70

4.2 Strengths and Limitations of the Study……………………………………………………………………………………….71

4.3 Implications of the Present Research………………………………………………………………………………………….72

4.4 Recommendations- A Framework for Replication………………………………………………………………………..73

4.5 Suggestions for Change…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….74