Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services presenting evidence to the Board on 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 3 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:

-  The Education Act 2011 – The duty to secure independent and impartial careers guidance for young people in schools – statutory guidance for schools

-  NEET data and analysis

-  Draft Seacroft Manston Cluster NEET Action Plan – April 2012

-  The11-19 (25) Learning and Support Partnership – Terms of Reference

-  Leeds 11-19 (25) Learning and Support Plan 2011-2015.

The following Members, officers and external representatives attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Councillor Blake, Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Dowson, Chair of 11-19 Learning and Support Partnership

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

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

-  Andrea Cowans, 14-19 Learner Support Manager

-  Georgiana Sale, Headteacher – City of Leeds High School

-  Jill Wood, Headteacher – Little London Primary School

-  Mark Smith, Cluster Manager – Seacroft and Manston

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Further information to be provided to the Scrutiny Board in relation to youth contract funding for 16-17 age group.

·  Investment in information and guidance services.

·  Greater support for vulnerable families.

·  Support for schools and other providers, particularly through the work of Leeds Pathways.

·  Concerns about socially disadvantaged families and establishing a city wide response to this through restorative practices, e.g. family group conferencing.

·  The benefits of intensive mentoring support.

·  Concerns about those individuals that were homeless or living in temporary accommodation.

·  Data protection constraints to tackling individual cases.

·  The impact of welfare reform on vulnerable families.

·  Development of role models at schools – Little London Primary School held ‘World at Work Wednesdays’ which focussed on a different profession each week.

·  The importance of developing good practice and consistency across clusters.

·  The role of youth services, particularly in tackling ‘not known’ figures.

·  Establishment of key business partners across all primary and secondary schools.

RESOLVED – That the relevant issues considered be incorporated in the draft report of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry.