Addressing the NEET Challenge: The Role of Youth Guarantee and Devolution

The Potential of the Youth Guarantee 

The Youth Guarantee can be a transformative tool in tackling the NEET challenge. By providing structured pathways and support, it ensures that young people are not left behind. The initiative's focus on tailored, individualised approaches means that it can cater to the diverse needs of young people, helping them find suitable opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. This is particularly crucial for those facing multiple barriers, such as mental health issues and anxiety, which have become more prevalent in recent years. Support needs to be community-based and form part of the tapestry of services targeting young people within a neighbourhood setting. Not only will this help build trust and engagement, but it will mean barriers to employment, education and training can be successfully overcome through collaborations with youth justice, youth work, mental health, housing aid and other disciplines working closely with young people. EMCCA is currently exploring options for these types of joined-up services via the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer.   

The Opportunity of Devolution 

Devolution offers a significant opportunity to try new approaches to addressing these barriers. With more localised control, regions can develop and implement strategies that are specifically tailored to their unique challenges and opportunities. This flexibility allows for innovative solutions that can be more responsive to the needs of young people in different areas. For instance, in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, local authorities can leverage devolution to create bespoke joined-up programmes that bring together different professions and specialisms to address the specific needs of NEET young people aged 16-18, in a holistic way. 

The Importance of Early Intervention 

One of the critical insights from our work is that early intervention is essential in addressing the NEET challenge. Waiting until young people are 16 is often too late. By this age, many have already disengaged from formal education and face significant barriers to re-engagement. Early intervention, starting well before the age of 16, can help identify at-risk individuals and provide the necessary support to keep them on track. As well as being early, interventions must also be sustained. One of the most important transitions in life is when a young person leaves the school environment, and all the associated institutional support drops away. If pastoral support around mental health, social relationships and careers guidance happens early, and is sustained after a young person leaves school, then their risk of becoming NEET is significantly diminished.   

The first few weeks of the new academic year means we often see a significant drop-off rate in colleges, with many students struggling to adjust to the new environment and academic demands. The early dropout of college students can have different impacts on the numbers in EET and NEET categories. 

1. Increase in NEET Numbers: Many colleges early leavers may struggle to find immediate employment or training opportunities, leading to a higher number of individuals classified as NEET. This is particularly true if they lack the skills or qualifications that employers seek
2. Potential for EET Opportunities: On the other hand, some early leavers might pursue alternative education or vocational training programs, which could increase the numbers in EET. For instance, they might enrol in technical courses, apprenticeships, or other skill-based training programs

For the potential for EET opportunities, timing is everything, for example if someone drops out in November, they may be unable to access another course until the beginning of the next academic year which can leave them disengaged for an extended period of time. The transition from school to college can be challenging, and without adequate support, many students find it difficult to stay engaged and lacking in knowledge of what to do next. 

Supporting NEET Young People in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire 

For many reasons the debate around NEET rates is a challenging subject, we see seasonally affected highs and lows, the NEET reporting varies in its focus between 16-18 year olds and 16-24 year olds, and there are different reporting measures for how the data is captured.  
In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, we are committed to supporting young people aged 16-18 through our NEET service. Our service is designed to help these young people navigate the challenges they face and find pathways to success. We offer a range of support, including personalised advice, skills training, and access to employment opportunities. Young people can access our services through schools, community organisations or by visiting one of our centres. 

Starting in April, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire councils, via Futures, will introduce a new delivery model to support NEET young people. This model will include webchat and advice over the phone, along with enhanced web content on our website. For those facing the most complex barriers, access to direct support from qualified advisers will be available to provide personalised support and guidance. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that all young people receive the help they need to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. 

"Transform Your Future" for 18+ 

For those aged 18 and over, our "Transform Your Future" programme provides additional support to help young adults that are economically inactive take the next step in their journey. This programme focuses on personal development, career planning, and overcoming barriers to employment. By addressing issues such as mental health and anxiety, we help people build the confidence and skills they need to succeed. 

Breaking Down Barriers 

We recognise that young people today face greater barriers than ever before, particularly in relation to their mental health and anxiety. Those young people who are not in education settings face significant disadvantages, as they often lack access to crucial careers advice and work experience placements. This gap in support can hinder their ability to explore career options and gain valuable skills, making it even more challenging for them to transition into employment or further education. Our support services are designed to help them work through these challenges, providing the tools and resources they need to break down barriers and achieve personal success, whatever that may look like. 
 
East Midlands County Combined Authority has recently submitted proposals for their Youth Guarantee Trailblazer projects that will run for one year. Futures is pleased to have collaborated with our owner councils and the local further education network to submit ideas on how effective support for 18–21-year-olds could be implemented, enabling them to access further education, skills, training, and employment. 

To sum up, the Youth Guarantee, combined with the opportunities presented by devolution and a focus on early intervention, offers a powerful framework for addressing the NEET challenge. By supporting young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, we can help them overcome barriers and build a brighter future.