Cutting Neets – the next vital steps

Media stories celebrating the strengthening economy and falling jobless figures have been refreshing to see in the last few weeks and months. They suggest that the country could finally be emerging from what is regarded by many as one of the most challenging financial periods of our time.

For those of you who work in children’s services, the economic situation will have added to the difficulties faced by many of the vulnerable children and families you are in contact with. While it is encouraging to read that the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) in the UK is at its lowest since official records began, there is still work to be done to ensure the figures keep falling.

Digging deeper

As part of a national Neet reduction drive, the government has launched the Youth Engagement Fund, which is designed to support authorities, schools and other agencies in delivering targeted support to specific groups of young people who are Neet. Gang members, young offenders, drug users and persistent truants are among those the fund is aimed at, as well as those with mental health problems, looked-after children and teenaged parents.

It is vital that the underlying issues that can blight these young lives are identified and addressed early so that more young people get the help they need to make a positive contribution to society.

Making a difference

Making sure authority staff, schools, youth justice and other teams have the insight they need on those children and young people whose lives are affected by these issues is critical. This information needs to be shared easily and scrutinised closely to understand who it is that needs help and what shape that help should take to improve their future prospects.

For a youth offending team, knowing the background or school history of a young person they are working with helps them to make a real difference. They could quickly see whether a child is in care, whether they have a record of truancy or exclusion or if there is an Education Health and Care Plan in place for them. They can then provide the most appropriate support for that child and potentially halt a spiral of experiences that contribute to their struggle with life.

More and more authorities are using the information available to them to identify and track the most vulnerable children and families in their area, even as their circumstances change. Doing this enables them to spot those children who need additional support to boost their attendance or achievement in school, help young parents get childcare or other support in place so they can continue with their education and ensure those with mental health issues are in contact with the right services.

Giving youth offending teams access to this kind of information could help them to target individuals or groups of children whose background or circumstances put them at higher risk of coming into contact with the youth justice system.

Getting to the heart of youth unemployment isn’t just about helping young people to gain meaningful qualifications and skills. For the most vulnerable, there can be a lot more going on in their lives that needs to be addressed to put them on a happier and more productive pathway to success.

Phil Neal is managing director at Capita One