Charity predicts increase in truancy due to raising of participation age

The charity is warning that cuts to financial support for young people in further education will force many disadvantaged students to truant because they will not be able to afford the costs of school travel and meals.

Using latest government and Barnardo’s research, the charity argues that the discretionary 16-19 Bursary Fund, which replaced the Education Maintenance Allowance, is not enough to cover such costs for the poorest young people.

This will leave many with no alternative other than to miss classes unless the government overhauls the level of financial assistance for disadvantaged pupils.

Barnardo’s assistant director of policy Jonathan Rallings said: “The opportunity to continue learning for an extra year is a golden one for the most disadvantaged students, but if they can’t afford to use this chance properly the risk is they will go from being NEETs to truants.
 
“Without the right financial support, course options and careers advice we are failing the most vulnerable young people.”