Agenda item

The report focused on SBC’s work to support young people in ensuring that they received opportunities to pursue education, employment or training until their 18^th birthday. Those who were not in such positions were categorised as NEETs; SBC had made avoiding this a vital part of its agenda for young people. As well as supporting its residents in securing such chances, it made sure that such placements were accredited and thus led to recognised qualifications and improved life chances. To support this, SBC was working closely with partners (especially schools).

There were 3 key elements to this; prevention, tracking and engagement. Prevention involved working with secondary schools to identify those at risk of becoming NEETs (referred to as RONIs). These were then assigned 1 of 4 levels depending on the level of risk involved. This policy had helped SBC ensure that the local number of NEETs was exceptionally low, with the authority in the top quintile nationally. The tracking procedure allowed SBC to know the status of all young people in years 12 and 13 and involved 2 dedicated full-time staff members. These staff used a variety of methods (e.g. schools liaison, engagement with projects, personal visits) so that all NEETs were supported. This was in contrast to several other local authorities, who had abandoned such policies; this had caused them to have difficulty in understanding the extent of the issue in their area. The team involved in this work also had a specialist in the area of Children Looked After (CLAs) and care leavers. Engagement with young people encountering life issues was the most sensitive area of SBC’s work. The range of difficulties involved was very large and complex, and could include attitudes, situations or other matters. SBC was persistent in these cases whilst remaining mindful of the needs of those involved.

The end result of SBC’s work was a very low level of NEETs in Slough; however, it was not purely about statistics and SBC was committed to ensuring that this work fitted with its skills agenda. As part of this, a multi agency Strategic Skills and Employment Group had been established which was ensuring that there is a correlation betwwen the EET Agenda and Skills Gaps.

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  SBC was working with the travelling community through two work streams; one dedicated to those settling in urban dwellings, and those who continued to travel across the region. Intensive work was being undertaken with the Roma community, finding suitable work opportunities and adopting the ‘One Slough’ approach to the matter. Community development workers were also being recruited; SBC was fortunate that is internal expertise regarding the travelling community and therefore understood the related issues.

·  Those schools outside Slough who received local students had good links with the service (especially Burnham Park Academy and Churchmead) although were not involved with identifying RONIs. However, SBC was quick to identify such young people.

·  The strategy for CLAs and those leaving care had been approved by the Joint Parenting Panel and launched; SBC also now offered support for CLAs who had moved out of the Borough.

·  The quality of SBC’s work was recognised by the Department for Education (especially through the regional group for NEETs). SBC also received request from other authorities for officer-to-officer level co-operation given its reputation.

·  At present, SBC was developing the 14 – 19 skills agenda. The current situation saw good outcomes for level 2 apprenticeships but fewer for level 3 and 4 schemes. Apprenticeships would be a major element of the new skills agenda, ensuring that such schemes were suitable and were the right ones for those involved; SBC’s support of its own apprenticeship scheme (as well as the Arvato equivalent) would be used in the construction of this. Slough was fortunate that its local economy was strong, which would further assist with this effort.

·  Careers advice was the responsibility of schools. However, through taster sessions and role modelling (e.g. senior managers who had been apprentices mentoring the new intake) SBC could help with the system.

(At this point, Cllrs Qaseem and Sharif joined the meeting)

·  In cases where parents proved to be an obstacle to young people joining apprenticeship schemes, SBC worked to communicate the benefits of these opportunities. SBC was committed to the message that the academic route was not the only one open to those reaching the end of compulsory education.

·  Any possible skills gaps resulting from the UK’s departure from the European Union would be covered in the 14 – 19 skills agenda and work of the Skills & Employment Group.

·  Where SBC encountered young people with behavioural issues, it worked with the individual to establish the root causes and help inform future life choices. If necessary, SBC would also support young people in influencing them to make choices that support them in ending influences which may negatively impact on their options.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.