Issue - items at meetings - Reduction in numbers of young people not in education employment or training (NEET) 2012/13 and Youth Employability Service (YES) work programme 2013/14

Report of the Executive Director, Children’s Services (copy attached)

RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the progress in reducing the 16-18 NEET percentage; and

(2) That the Committee endorses the future priorities of the wok of the Youth Employability

30.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Children’s Services detailing the progress made in reducing the city’s NEET percentage and seeking their endorsement in relation to future priorities for the work of the Youth Employability Service.

30.2    It was noted that through its Youth Employability Service (YES) the city had achieved its lowest ever level of young people aged 16-18 who were “Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). This document complied with the Department for Education Statutory Guidance on the Participation of Young People in Education and was an important indicator which formed part of the Corporate Plan. The work of the YES team also impacted directly on the council’s child poverty and the Stronger Families, Stronger Communities strategies. NEET young people in workless households had worse educational outcomes than their peers and the work of the YES team would form part of the emerging Early Help Strategy within Children’s Services.

30.3    Councillor Pissaridou asked why the take up of apprenticeships within the city appeared to be low and it was explained that there were a number of reasons for this, in addition schools also needed to publicise these alternative options more widely.

30.4    Councillor Simson commended the work that had been undertaken stating that it was important to continue to work with harder to reach communities, stating that successful work had been achieved in her own ward.

30.5    Rachel Travers, Amaze stressed the importance of working with those who had special educational needs to seek to ensure that adequate measures were in place to support them along the pathways that were most appropriate to their individual needs.

30.6         Councillor Powell welcomed the work undertaken and achievements to date expressing particular interest in the work being undertaken by all agencies to support NEET young people to work within the agreed Single Partnership Pathway for Brighton and Hove,. Councillor Powell requested that further details about the arrangements in place and the number of young people involved in apprenticeships form the subject of a report to a future meeting of the Committee, it was agreed that this would be done.

30.7    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes the progress in reducing the 16-18 NEET percentage; and

(2) That the Committee endorses the future priorities of the wok of the Youth Employability Service as set out in paragraphs 3.8 and 3.9 of the report.