Quango to fill 16-19 staff skills gap

Workers from the LSC, which will be dissolved as part of the changes, are currently being redeployed to councils. Former LSC staff look set to fill 80 per cent of 16 to 19 posts in councils, but local authorities will need to recruit new workers for the remaining 20 per cent.

Nonetheless, this represents a major turnaround since the start of the year, when 93 per cent of LSC staff expressed reluctance to a council transfer in a union survey.

Where there are vacancies, the YPLA, one of three quangos set up to replace the LSC, will provide staff to fill the posts temporarily.

It is unknown how many of its staff will be deployed to local authorities, because the vacancy rate will vary in each area, although rural councils are likely to need the most support.

John Freeman, director of the React programme at the Local Government Association (LGA), which is supporting councils through the changes, said YPLA staff would be well equipped to assist in the transfer.

"YPLA staff will make sure that local authorities get a smooth start in April next year," he said.

"There is still a lot to do, but I'm pretty optimistic about it."

Councils are to be provided with a new guidance document from the LGA, which will outline their new duties for 16 to 19 education and training, such as their new responsibilities to provide education for young offenders from next year, Freeman added.