Connexions: Review to investigate equality practice in Connexions service

A Connexions worker will be seconded to investigate the provision for young Black and minority ethnic people and those with disabilities in all 47 partnerships - an area the National Association of Connexions Partnerships (NACP) admits needs improvement.

The secondment follows the publication of Making Connexions with Race Equality, a report produced by the Black Training and Enterprise Group.

While showing good practice among the five large partnerships surveyed, the report reveals patchy levels of effectiveness in tackling barriers faced by Black young people in accessing training and employment.

The Black Training and Enterprise Group made 19 recommendations to the Department for Education and Skills, including a nationwide review of Connexions partnerships' boards. It also suggests imposing requirements on service providers to carry out ethnic monitoring of all users and establishing a national equalities advisory group.