Youth Employment Hub background
Young people’s prospects in the labour market is a cause for concern, they are
amongst those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a significant
increase in youth unemployment in Herefordshire. The number of 16 to 24 year
olds claiming universal credit in March 2021 was 895; 116% higher than in March
2020.
It will be harder for young people who may lack skills, confidence or experience.
The risk that young people who were socially excluded before Covid-19 become
even more socially isolated. Many young people are unsure about their future.
The government has announced through its Plan for Jobs strategy a range of
supporting interventions, including the Kickstart Scheme and dedicated youth
employability coaches aimed at young people aged 16-24 claiming Universal
Credit.
The success of these interventions is dependent on the ability to engage with
young people. Without access to appropriate physical space there is a risk of
disengagement. Being Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) is linked
to poorer health and employment outcomes for decades.
NEET Prevention work background
Year 11 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs are highly
vulnerable and at greater risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment
or training) during the transition from school to Post 16 Education. The outbreak
of the Covid-19 virus has disrupted two consecutive academic years, significantly
increasing this risk and vulnerability. It has had an impact on delivering the
intensity and individualised level of required support for these young people.
Current year 11 SEMH students are therefore now at an even higher risk of
becoming NEET.
The latest national published statistics for the proportion of 16 and 17 year olds
recorded as NEET is the average of December 2019. January 2020 and February
2020. For England this was 2.7% and Herefordshire was 2.9%, 0.2% above the
national average. The average combined percentage of NEET and not known for
Herefordshire was 9.2%. At the time of writing the 2021 national data has not
been published.
Current Herefordshire NEET recorded statistic for June 2021 is 4.1% 153 young
people 0.4% higher than June 2020 (3.7%, 132 young people). Of this cohort, 49%
(75 young people) have been identified has having an additional need.
Monitoring of the NEET cohort suggests there is an over representation of young
people who were considered to have SEMH needs .previously attending a pupil
referral unit, special school for children with SEMH or other young people in
mainstream schools with identified SEMH needs.
The Learning and Work Institute’s NEET prevention what works report 2020,
states that approaches that include flexible and tailored support are proven to be
particularly effective in acting as a mechanism for positive outcomes across
attainment and employment, progress and engagement for at risk young people.