wirral local strategic partnership lsp executive board

Wirral Local Strategic Partnership LSP Executive

Board

FROM NEET TO EET

9th June 2009

Wirral Local Strategic Partnership

Reducing the number of young people aged 16 -18 that are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is a key cross-departmental government priority and Wirral PSA (6.9% by 2010) and LAA target. NEET, as a partnership priority is also reflected in the Children and Young People’s Plan and Integrated Youth Support Strategy.

Wirral Local Strategic PartnershipFor all those engaged in work with children and young people the rationale for reducing NEET is simple and derives from a determination to help young people to overcome barriers to achievement, be settled, develop their skills through learning and start on a route to a fulfilling and successful adult life. Investigation of the 1970 British Birth Cohort study has shown that being NEET for six months is likely to mean that by the age of twenty one a young man is:

• more than four times likely to be out of work• three times more likely to have depression and mental health

issues• five times more likely to have a criminal record• six times less likely to have any qualifications

(Bridging The Gap : New opportunities for 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training – Social Exclusion Unit 1999).


The Wirral NEET percentage for March 2009 (latest baseline data) is 9.66% NEET percentage by area at end of March 2009 (GMCP data)

Halton Knowsley Liverpool Sefton St

Helens

Wirral Greater

Merseyside

% Adjusted NEET 2008

13.38 13.25 10.95 8.06 11.06 10.29 10.66

% Adjusted NEET 2009 14.02 12.91 10.13 8.70 10.56 9.66 10.36

This is a reduction in a year on year comparison:March 2007 10.34%March 2008 10.29%March 2009 9.66%Alongside this ‘in learning rates are at an all time high

Wirral Local Strategic Partnership However the target trajectory for the NEET PSA (6.9% by 2010)

is not being met The pace of reduction remains a significant challenge and

achievement of the stretch target is unlikely in the current economic climate (fewer employment vacancies available at present than at any corresponding point in the life of the Connexions Partnership)

In terms of the age breakdown a significant number of our NEET young people are in the upper age bracket and for March 2009 49% of those NEET are 18 years old

A significant proportion are also from vulnerable groups


NEET levels reducing but not quickly enough

20092009 20082008

EnglandEngland 7.2% 7.1%

North WestNorth West 8.5% 8.6%

WirralWirral 9.66% 10.29%

There is a crucial reason for the disparity however and that is the reduction in those in employment:•Numbers in work based learning are reducing and locally as choice and volumes has been reduced•Employment with training at level 2 has reduced•Employment with no training has reduced•On the other hand our in learning rates continue to improve and compare very favourably to regional and national performance


NEET March 09 - 9.66%No Ward / Non Wirral Ward,

0.08%Greasby, Frankby & Irby /

Upton, 0.65%

Hoylake & Meols / West Kirby, 0.25%

Pensby & Thingw all / Hesw all, 0.22%

Bromborough / Eastham, 0.76%

Clatterbridge / Bebington, 0.51%

B'Head & Tranmere / Rock Ferry, 2.06%

Prenton / Oxton, 0.60%

Bidston & St James Claughton, 1.44%

Leasow e / Moreton, 0.94%

New Brighton / Wallasey, 0.68%

Liscard / Seacombe, 1.47%


Wards with highest NEET levels providing 44.82% of the borough NEET

Bidston and St JamesBidston and St James 116

Birkenhead and TranmereBirkenhead and Tranmere 101

Rock FerryRock Ferry 115

SeacombeSeacombe 101


CHURN

Government statistics suggest that only 1% of the NEET cohort remains NEET for the period between ages 16 and 18.

September – March 2009 – 1642 joined the NEET register.September – March 2009 – 1448 left the NEET register.

Our tracking capacity has improved and is better than regional and national benchmarks so the evidence we have is more accurate and compelling than ever. Currently we have the lowest ever levels of

young people not known to the Connexions Service.


Challenges remaining:

The challenge remains to increase the pace of the reduction in line with the trajectory toward the 2010 PSA target of 6.9% which gives us considerable distance to travel. There are also significant priority groups within the NEET group, including those with LDD, care leavers, young offenders and teen mums for whom opportunities often contract more adversely than for their peers at times of economic pressure.


Risks Identified:

•Changes in economic impacting on availability of opportunities for the NEET group•Lack of positive action by employers which goes beyond engagement and invests in the future workforce early enough by the provision of real apprenticeship opportunities•Continuing high drop out and switching rates•LSC funding and MOG changes•Adult employment rates rising


Solution focussed approaches:

The Borough EET Action Plan is in place which outlines partner responsibilities and contributions to achieving the NEET targetThe Activity Agreement Pilot continues to bear fruit with clear evaluation demonstrating improved progression rates, increased employability and reduced time spent NEET (on average 60% progressing into EET which is a significant achievement with some of the most marginalised young people). The Wirral Wise Programme, supported by ESF, has commenced, with 3 strands:

Learn Wise – preventative actions for young people in KS4Stay Wise – preventative actions for young people in post 16 education and trainingWork Wise – interventions targeted at young people who are NEET, aimed at progression via placements and work trials


Flexible learning opportunities 14-19 Diplomas Foundation Learning tier Flexible start dates – FE response Engaging with employers to secure high quality work experience,

work related learning and apprenticeships – the Apprenticeship challenge

Volunteering and development opportunities National quality standards for Information Advice and Guidance

and local implementation plan On-line 14-19 prospectus – i.choosewirral and common

application process


Approaches:

The September Guarantee thresholds were met in Wirral, with 94.95% of Year 11 leavers having a recorded offer of a place in Education, Employment or Training and 80.51% of 17 year olds identified for the Guarantee (inc. those young people on one year programmes, those on E2E and those young people who are NEET in April, May and June) having a recorded offer of a place in Education, Employment and Training

Targeted action with vulnerable young people and within NEET hotspot areas continues

The annual Activity Survey of Year 11 leavers indicates over 90% of the cohort in learning.

Teenagers can now receive text alerts for job vacancies for registering for the job scan service via www.connexionslive.com


Thank YouHoward Cooper

Director of Children’s Services

[email protected]

Sheila Lynch

Assistant Director (Performance) Wirral

[email protected]

wirral local strategic partnership lsp executive board

Documents

training neet

neet young people

neet psa

adjusted neet

wirral psa

number of young people

young peoples

young man