Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services presenting evidence in line with Session 1 of the Board’s Inquiry into increasing the number of young people in employment, education or training (EET).

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented evidence in line with Session 1 of the Scrutiny Board’s Inquiry into increasing the number of young people in employment, education or training (EET).

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Audit Commission summary report “Against the Odds” published in July 2010

-  Information on the number of young people NEET, and comparison with other local authorities (November 2011)

-  The latest Children’s Trust Board report card relating to NEET (January 2012)

-  Raising the Participation Age (RPA) – Action Plan for Leeds

-  Training opportunities available to individuals claiming benefits

-  Leeds City College - Flexible start short courses for 16-24 year olds

-  Cross government strategy for 16-24 year olds “Building Engagement, Building Futures: Our Strategy to Maximise the Participation of 16-24 Year Olds in Education, Training and Work” (December 2011).

The following Executive Member and officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Councillor Blake, Executive Member - Children and Families

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Gary Milner, Head of 14-19 Strategy, Children’s Services

-  Ken Morton, Head of Young People and Skills, Children’s Services

-  Sue Wynne, Chief Officer, Employment and Skills, Environment

and Neighbourhoods

The key areas of discussion were:

• Challenges associated with the current economic climate and rising youth unemployment.
• Development of careers provision and support from the voluntary sector.  Joint working had been undertaken with schools to establish an approved provider list.  Leeds Pathways website provided further information and support.
• Development of links with learning providers and the business community in supporting young people into employment.  The Chief Officer, Employment and Skills, Environment and Neighbourhoods, agreed to provide the Scrutiny Board with an overview of the initiatives that were currently in place at the next meeting.
• The changing context of academies and the differences in governance arrangements which may impact on universal careers advice from September 2012.
• The importance of early intervention programmes and establishing a cohesive approach to this area of work.
• Building on work in communities to “reconnect disconnected communities”, raising aspirations and self-esteem.
• Concern about the increase in individuals recorded as not known.
• Support for young people with special educational needs and mental health difficulties.
• Ensuring that parents and carers were kept informed about the types of learning provision that were available.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the relevant issues considered be incorporated in the draft report of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry.

(b)  That further statistical data on NEETs age 19 – 24 by electoral ward be brought before the Scrutiny Board at the next meeting.

(c)  That further statistical data on long term or ‘sustained’ NEETs by individual circumstances be brought before the Scrutiny Board at the next meeting.

(Councillors Ewens and Rafique joined the meeting at 10.00am during the consideration of this item.)

(Councillor Gettings withdrew from the meeting at 10.55am, Ms Choudhry at 11.03am, Councillor Akhtar at 11.30am and Councillor A McKenna at 11.33am, during the consideration of this item.)

(Councillor Ewens declared a personal interest in this item in her capacity as LEA Governor at City of Leeds High School.)