Impact of a Co-Designed Youth Leadership Framework on Individual and Organisational Outcomes in Cancer Care
Tracks
Norfolk Hall
| Monday, March 20, 2023 |
| 10:50 AM - 11:20 AM |
Overview
Kristina Clarke, Canteen Australia
Speaker
Kristina Clarke
Senior Research & Evaluation Officer
Canteen Australia
Impact of a Co-Designed Youth Leadership Framework on Individual and Organisational Outcomes in Cancer Care
Abstract
Introduction
Health consumers and organisations can benefit from the engagement of young people in organisational leadership. Young people receive opportunities that support their development and their participation in healthcare. Consumer-informed organisations are more likely to be relevant and appropriate to service users. A cancer support organisation implemented a co-designed Youth Leadership Framework (YLF) that outlined a model for supporting, developing, and empowering youth leaders (aged 16-25 years) through structured leadership development and community engagement opportunities. This presentation reports on an implementation evaluation of the YLF that aimed to assess individual and organisational outcomes and mechanisms that promote positive outcomes.
Method
Semi-structured interviews based on the RE-AIM Evaluation Framework were conducted with 33 leaders and 25 staff members. Interviews were analysed using inductive and deductive coding to develop themes related to individual and organisational outcomes.
Results
Individual outcomes for leaders included development of personal and professional life skills (e.g., public-speaking, organisation, group management); supportive peer relationships; and identity formation reflecting growth from their cancer experience. Organisational outcomes included greater connection to purpose; consumer-informed and consumer-led services and strategic direction; and increased awareness of the organisation within the community. Mechanisms that promoted these outcomes were supportive relationships between leaders and staff; purposeful opportunities to develop leaders’ abilities; clear structures and progression through leadership and governance; and prioritising youth empowerment across the organisation.
Conclusion
Individual outcomes reflected positive youth development in leaders, which can promote emotional and social well-being and support young people to flourish during the transition to adulthood. Engaging young people through the YLF ensures the service remains relevant and appropriate to its users. Findings on best practice in implementing youth leadership and consumer engagement opportunities are being incorporated into the YLF. The YLF can be utilised by other community and health services as an example model of youth empowerment.
Health consumers and organisations can benefit from the engagement of young people in organisational leadership. Young people receive opportunities that support their development and their participation in healthcare. Consumer-informed organisations are more likely to be relevant and appropriate to service users. A cancer support organisation implemented a co-designed Youth Leadership Framework (YLF) that outlined a model for supporting, developing, and empowering youth leaders (aged 16-25 years) through structured leadership development and community engagement opportunities. This presentation reports on an implementation evaluation of the YLF that aimed to assess individual and organisational outcomes and mechanisms that promote positive outcomes.
Method
Semi-structured interviews based on the RE-AIM Evaluation Framework were conducted with 33 leaders and 25 staff members. Interviews were analysed using inductive and deductive coding to develop themes related to individual and organisational outcomes.
Results
Individual outcomes for leaders included development of personal and professional life skills (e.g., public-speaking, organisation, group management); supportive peer relationships; and identity formation reflecting growth from their cancer experience. Organisational outcomes included greater connection to purpose; consumer-informed and consumer-led services and strategic direction; and increased awareness of the organisation within the community. Mechanisms that promoted these outcomes were supportive relationships between leaders and staff; purposeful opportunities to develop leaders’ abilities; clear structures and progression through leadership and governance; and prioritising youth empowerment across the organisation.
Conclusion
Individual outcomes reflected positive youth development in leaders, which can promote emotional and social well-being and support young people to flourish during the transition to adulthood. Engaging young people through the YLF ensures the service remains relevant and appropriate to its users. Findings on best practice in implementing youth leadership and consumer engagement opportunities are being incorporated into the YLF. The YLF can be utilised by other community and health services as an example model of youth empowerment.
Biography
Kristina Clarke is a Senior Research & Evaluation Officer from Canteen Australia. Kristina's role at Canteen encompasses service design and evaluation, with a focus on delivering best practice and consumer-driven services in cancer care. Kristina is passionate about hearing people's voices and using data to support young people to thrive. Kristina is currently collaborating on projects examining education & career support, youth leadership and community engagement, and therapeutic programs for young people affected by cancer.
