Agenda item

The Participation of Young People aged 16-18 in Education, Employment or Training report was presented by Matthew Bulmer (Director of Education, Skills, and Early Years) and Amanda Youlden (Report Author, and Post 16 Lead for Education and Skills).

The Purpose of the annual report was to inform members of the relevant activities and initiatives, with the report offering members the opportunity to scrutinise and challenge the activities in the preceding year.

Members noted that there had been an increase in cohort numbers for the academic year 23/24. The cohort numbers would fluctuate on a monthly basis, with the average cohort number across 2023 for Year 12/13 combined was 6685, being an increase from 2022 by 284. In addition, it was noted that the cohort numbers are projected to rise until the academic year 28/29.

Members noted that the latest reported date indicated that 93.76% of Year 12 had been participating in some form of education, employment, or training (NEET). It was explained to Members that there had been little changed over a 12-month period, showing that year 12’s had in general been settled into their chosen route whether education, employment, or training.

Members noted that the number of those not in education, employment or training was at 5%, with fewer people not being able to receive support from the system. In addition, Members acknowledged that only 1% of young people are unknown to education, employment, or training.

Members were informed that there was a digital offer for guidance, information, and training, as well as partnerships with local schools, colleges, and employers.

The Scrutiny Board recognised that the report had identified issues between young people transitioning from Secondary School and College who are at risk of getting lost in the system and not in education, employment, or training.

Members asked questions about point 2.2.2 In the report concerning cohort having significantly affected by school closures during the pandemic, with it being answered that “Empower Oldham” funding had allowed checks to be put into place to ensure that Children at risk are checked upon.

Members were concerned with the issues around the transitioning phase between year 11 to 12 and year 12 to 13, with Members wanting to know what can be done to monitor those children at risk of not ending up in education, employment, and training. The response was that schools hold information and tracks students who are at risk of NEET.

It was also explained that for those students transitioning from year 12 to 13, Colleges have a duty to support their students, with work needed to close the transition gap between Oldham Council and College. In addition, the Director of Education noted that virtual school had been implemented and used to support post 16 student.

Members spoke about a recent Youth Council Meeting, where the issue of youth vaping were discussed with the likened to mental health. Members asked questions about what is being done to help Children and Young People with mental health issues, with the Director of Education stating that Mental Health Cohort teams are within the schooling system, with Mental Health Leads trying to tackle the issue of mental health from a frontline perspective. However, there were a continued issue with access to services due to service demand.

The Director of Education noted that Oldham Council had recently received £300k from the Department of Education for Mental Health Support Offer, with their continuous bidding for more resources as an entire system response to service demand.

Members asked questions concerning the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on young people’s mental health, being informed that the pandemic had had an effect on young people’s mental health and attendance rates in Schools and College system.

Members noted that there are national guidelines on collecting data, which is followed by the authority. The Director of Education informed members that they could provide information on how the authority collect data and information.

Members were concerned about the carers and families, and what can be done to empower them to support their child. In response to those concerns, it was noted that families’ hubs and support families on evidence based parenting courses, as well as an online offer for parenting support services.

Members noted that Parent Panels were playing a role with how family’s hubs should be operated.

In response to questions over young people becoming mentors for their peers, it was noted that while there is no direct information on this to be provided to the Scrutiny Board. It would not be uncommon for schools and colleges to have peer related mentorship schemes in place.

In response to questions by Members about addressing other mental health issues and careers convention, the Director of Education stated that they would be happy to provide a verbal update on the issue.

Resolved that:

1)    The Scrutiny Board noted the current landscape and experiences of 16–18-year-olds which are impacting on their participation in education, employment, or training.

2)    The Scrutiny Board noted the range of interventions currently in place to support young people into EET and prevent the incidence of NEET increasing.