Refraining from rights and giving in to personalised control: young unemployed peoples’ experiences and perceptions of public and third sector support in the UK and Norway

Gjersøe, HM, Jones, K ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8090-4557, Leseth, AB, Scullion, L and Martin, P (2023) Refraining from rights and giving in to personalised control: young unemployed peoples’ experiences and perceptions of public and third sector support in the UK and Norway. European Journal of Social Work. ISSN 1369-1457

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Abstract

In this article, we present an analysis of young unemployed peoples’ perceptions and experiences with public and third sector support in Norway and the UK. Drawing on data generated through qualitative semi-structured interviews, the analysis shows that street level workers’ approaches towards clients are important in understanding (dis)engagement with various employment support systems. Taking a ‘street-level’ perspective as a lens for understanding young, unemployed peoples’ perceptions and experiences, we suggest that their voices as (potential) participants in employment services can contribute a further dimension to perspectives that are more usually focused on workers as performers of politics. The paper highlights the challenges of making employment services responsive to young peoples’ needs and expectations.