We recently proposed the creation of a set of qualitative benchmarks for careers support for 16-to 17-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (Neet). There is a growing, unified voice across the careers sector focusing on what's working, and how services can be designed to meet young people's needs within the often restricted contexts in which we work.
We've welcomed wholeheartedly the Career Development Institute's Valuing Careers Report and Research Directory which address the need for better evidence around the impact of professional careers support, and the sharing of best practice.
We know that Gatsby Benchmarks work in schools. They have helped drive national improvements in school careers provision, and higher Gatsby Benchmark achievement in schools and colleges is linked to fewer young people becoming Neet at 16 and 18.
While this impact is positive, we know it is only half the story. National Neet figures continue to rise, with each new Office for National Statistics (ONS) release edging towards the million mark. Disappointingly, 16-to 17-year-olds do not appear to be a priority group within the Get Britain Working White Paper and Youth Guarantee. The latest ONS estimate is that there are 77,000 young people aged 16-17 who are either Neet, or their status is “not known”.
The reasons why are complex and figures across the country can vary. There are, however, some trends.
We are seeing significantly more young people with complex needs, and a substantial increase in the number who have a social emotional mental health condition as their primary need. Elective home education and persistent absenteeism is increasing.
Yet there is no such thing as a “typical” Neet person, or single set of reasons why a young person becomes Neet. Systemic, social, financial, generational, geographical, health issues and more play a part – the impact of which are visible before someone reaches 16.
That is why the eight benchmarks we have proposed, have at their core, two key driving factors – early intervention and bespoke, person-centred support. Benchmark number one is “enhanced early intervention from year 9 that is client-centred, and targeted to those most at risk of Neet, including for those young people that are outside of school”.
Alongside careers support, the availability of suitable provision needs to be addressed. With a number of learning providers shutting down over the last two years, and many college courses full, those who are ready to move on face another barrier.
We are working closely with local authorities and further education and training providers to help bridge that gap. This includes the design and running of short courses specifically to meet needs and help young people who are Neet and furthest away from remaining engaged with learning and work.
The courses have been designed around what we, local authorities, further education and partners know is yielding the best results. Nowhere is that captured centrally and put into a measurable format that could be scaled up. That's why these benchmarks are so needed – to provide a clear definition as to what “good” looks like for 16-to 17-year-olds who are Neet.
We know that budgets are tight. We know that provision is limited. Benchmarks would provide some much-needed guidance, providing assurance that we are investing in what works.
The sooner a young person is identified as being at risk of Neet, the less chance they will become or stay Neet. If we could get our national Neet levels down to the same level as Germany's – just under 9% – the UK's GDP would increase by £38bn, so we would all benefit.
It really is a case of investing to save, while changing futures for the better.
