· Young people are increasingly feeling disconnected from themselves finding it difficult to motivate themselves.  They think they can’t do anything with their lives and many have no role models to look to for inspiration.   In their search to belong young people are separating themselves into gangs to feel they fit in.  These gangs offer a feeling of safety and security, an alternative to the feeling of family which may be lacking at home.

· No respect, young people don’t respect adults or those in authority and adults don’t respect young people either – a deadlock.

· Quick fix – young people getting involved in crime activity which gives them quickly a high crime generated income

· Low aspirations – want material things now, not prepared to work in the legitimate way, would rather do something unlawful to get instant crime generated income

· Young offenders or young people with offending behaviour are labelled and find it difficult to re-integrate themselves back into society again

· Letting past educational results affect their future goals, not able to see their potential and how and who can help them achieve what they want in life

· Alcohol and drug misuse – blocking out emotions, unable to find their own way forward

· Limited lifeskills such as communicating effectively, saying no to things or people they don’t want to be around or activities they no longer want to be involved in, motivation to do what it takes to move forward whether that is going back to education, leaving a group of friends they hang out with, setting small regular goals and taking steps towards them and not giving up when things are hard, and managing their anger and not let it rule all their relationships.