Issue - meetings

The Council are required to track, record and report the education, training and employment activities for young people.  We also have a duty to encourage, enable and assist young people’s participation in education and training (Section 68, Education and Skills Act 2008).  For young people with special education needs or disabilities (SEND), the requirement will remain that we track education, training and employment up until their 25th birthday.  The Scrutiny Panel have requested an update on the Council’s performance against these criteria.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what the percentage of NEETs was in relation to Looked After Children.

The Divisional Director for Children and Young People, Specialist and Targeted Division replied that 66% of care leavers were in Education, Employment or Training compared with 56% in 2015.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what work was being done with regard to the remaining 34%.

The Divisional Director for Children and Young People, Specialist and Targeted Division replied that it can take time to build relationships and that it was likely that this cohort would have had some previous issues relating to education. He added that he was proud of their current record

The Strategic Director for People & Communities added that the young people can opt not to work with us as other life events take priority. He added that research indicates that if a young person is not in Education, Employment or Training when they are 16 / 17 then they are likely to be in and out of casual employment by the time they are 18.

The Chair thanked the Divisional Director for Children and Young People, Specialist and Targeted Division for his update on behalf of the Panel.