Brussels seminar Nov25 2009 SJBrussels seminar Nov25 2009 SJ 11

Unemployment, education and Unemployment, education and social exclusion: the case of social exclusion: the case of

young people from public careyoung people from public care

Professor Sonia JacksonProfessor Sonia Jackson

Thomas Coram Research UnitThomas Coram Research Unit

Institute of EducationInstitute of Education

University of London UKUniversity of London UK

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EU Strategy for Youth: Investing EU Strategy for Youth: Investing and Empoweringand Empowering

To create more opportunities for youth in To create more opportunities for youth in education and employmenteducation and employment

To improve access and full participation of To improve access and full participation of all young people in societyall young people in society

European Commission, April 2009European Commission, April 2009

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YiPPEEYiPPEE

Aim: To find out how more young people Aim: To find out how more young people who have been in state care as children who have been in state care as children can be encouraged to stay in education can be encouraged to stay in education beyond the age of compulsory schooling beyond the age of compulsory schooling and to access higher levels of educationand to access higher levels of education

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Partners in the YiPPEE projectPartners in the YiPPEE project

EnglandEngland SwedenSweden DenmarkDenmark HungaryHungary Spain (Catalonia)Spain (Catalonia)

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What is the problem?What is the problem?

Steep rise in youth unemployment in all countries Steep rise in youth unemployment in all countries Denmark: increase 61% compared with same quarter Denmark: increase 61% compared with same quarter

20082008 Catalonia: 44.5% increase in unemployment (Spain Catalonia: 44.5% increase in unemployment (Spain

35.1%) 35.1%) Hungary 23% 20-24 unemployed (national rate 9.5%)Hungary 23% 20-24 unemployed (national rate 9.5%) Sweden 27.3% 20-24 unemployed (5 x other age Sweden 27.3% 20-24 unemployed (5 x other age

groupsgroups)) England: 20% 15-24, 943,000 under 24 yr olds England: 20% 15-24, 943,000 under 24 yr olds

unemployed (highest rate of increase in Europe). unemployed (highest rate of increase in Europe).

Govt announced £200m emergency package.Govt announced £200m emergency package.

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Recession and recoveryRecession and recovery

Unemployment hits yp first and they are last to Unemployment hits yp first and they are last to get back to work when things improveget back to work when things improve

Among yp those with higher levels of education Among yp those with higher levels of education are less likely to become unemployed and for are less likely to become unemployed and for shorter periods of time. shorter periods of time.

70% new jobs will require graduate level skills70% new jobs will require graduate level skills Care leavers with only basic education and no Care leavers with only basic education and no

family back-up are at greatest risk of long-term family back-up are at greatest risk of long-term unemployment and social exclusionunemployment and social exclusion

Risk and social exclusionRisk and social exclusion

Unqualified 16-17 year old becoming Unqualified 16-17 year old becoming unemployableunemployable

So what happens to them?So what happens to them? HomelessnessHomelessness Welfare dependencyWelfare dependency Ill health, physical and mentalIll health, physical and mental Early parenthoodEarly parenthood Alcohol and drug misuseAlcohol and drug misuse OffendingOffending

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Educational expectations and Educational expectations and aspirationsaspirations

Education is the key resource for social inclusion Education is the key resource for social inclusion and the hardest to accessand the hardest to access

Children in care from groups historically Children in care from groups historically excludedexcluded

Social workers and carers have low Social workers and carers have low expectationsexpectations

Young people have limited horizonsYoung people have limited horizons

Among those living in children’s homes only 14% want to go to Among those living in children’s homes only 14% want to go to university compared with 50% living with their families (HU)university compared with 50% living with their families (HU)

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What can we do about it?What can we do about it?

Highlight the issueHighlight the issue

Find out the factsFind out the facts

Put remedial measures in placePut remedial measures in place

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Progress so farProgress so far

State of the art literature review: what is known from State of the art literature review: what is known from previous researchprevious research

Establishing a baseline of facts and statistics in each Establishing a baseline of facts and statistics in each countrycountry

Promoting continuing engagement of care leavers in Promoting continuing engagement of care leavers in education through professional and academic education through professional and academic channelschannels

Record and analyse the experience and views of Record and analyse the experience and views of young people themselves and ensure they inform our young people themselves and ensure they inform our conclusions and recommendationsconclusions and recommendations