Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and the Director of Children’s Services regarding increasing the Number of Young People in Employment Education or Training

The Head of Scrutiny submitted a report which presented information following the Board’s Inquiry into ‘Increasing the Number of Young

People in Employment Education or Training’ published on 14 March 2013.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Recommendation tracking flowchart and classifications

-  An update on progress in relation to Increasing the Number of Young People in Employment, Education or Training

-  NEET Scrutiny Report 2016 – Data tables.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member (Employment, Enterprise and Opportunity)

-  Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director (Safeguarding Specialist and Targeted Services)

-  Andrea Richardson, Head of Services (Learning for Life)

-  Sally Lowe, Partnership Manager 14-19.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Progress made to reduce the number of people who had been NEET since September 2015.

·  The reporting changes from September 2016 onwards. Concern about tracking of 18 and 19 year olds – clarification was sought to identify who was supporting this age range and ensuring they were work ready. The Board was advised that local tracking would still be undertaken. Community Hubs may provide an opportunity to provide better support.

·  Concern about the lack of quality work experience opportunities or mentoring and that work experience was no longer a statutory responsibility for schools.  It was advised that post-16 students were still expected to undertake work experience or some form of work-related training.  The Board was advised about work being undertaken with young people as part of the better jobs breakthrough project.  In addition, a report was being submitted to Executive Board (September) which outlined engagement activity with employers.

·  The way that young people in Leeds accessed IAG. The Board was advised about the Leeds Pathways website – a useful on-line tool which provided information about jobs and skills.

·  Clarification sought about specific programmes that raised awareness about employment in primary schools. The Board discussed possible development of Leeds Pathways links for programmes at primary level that schools could link into.

·  Recognition of the good work being done across the city and concern that not all school clusters and governing bodies had been made aware about programmes aimed at reducing the risk of NEET.  The Board emphasised the importance of sharing information and good practice.

·  Raising aspiration of parents and the information, support and events that had been put in place.

·  An acknowledgement of the issues in relation to children’s mental health linked to NEET.

·  The need for greater engagement with small businesses.  It was suggested that small businesses be encouraged to provide opportunities for work experience and potentially visit schools to provide advice.

·  The challenge of reducing sustained / complex NEET.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 6 – Not achieved (Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring.)

·  Recommendation 7 – Achieved

·  Recommendation 10 – Achieved

·  Recommendation 11 – Achieved.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Board notes the contents of the report

(b)  That the above status of recommendations be approved.

(Councillor J Akhtar left the meeting at 10.35am during this item)