Neet young people to lose out under data sharing changes, warns LGA

The University and Colleges Admissions Service’s (Ucas) is to stop sharing information about young people accepted to university directly with councils.

Instead the information, which is used by councils to help target their local Neet population for employment and training support, will be sent direct to schools and colleges.

The move follows a review of the way Ucas manages its data and will make it easier for schools to access information about young people's intended post-education destinations that will be crucial to improving their careers guidance services.

But the LGA has criticised the move saying it will make it more difficult for councils to shape their local Neet support.

Councillor Peter Box, chairman of the LGA’s economy and transport board, said: “This information from Ucas has played a vital part in council efforts to identify those young people not going to university and in need of help to get into training, apprenticeships and job opportunities. Without it we risk some of our young people falling through the cracks and missing out on crucial support.”