Issue - meetings

Report ED13031

The Committee considered a report providing background information on ‘Raising the Participation Age’ which was written into the Education and Skills Act 2008 and placed a duty on all young people to participate in education or training until their 18^th birthday.  Members were advised that from September 2013, young people would be required to continue in education or training until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17 years.  From 2015, young people will be required to continue until their 18^th birthday.  Young people would be able to choose from full-time education in school, college or home education, work-based learning with training, such as an apprenticeship and part-time education or training if they were employed, self-employed or volunteering for more than 20 hours a week.

In response to a query from the Chairman, the Head of Youth Support Services confirmed that of those young people categorised as non participation (in either full time or part time education, training or employment), there were 314 young people who were classified as ‘not in education, employment or training (NEET).  This was a significant reduction on the previous year, and the Head of Youth Support Services confirmed that work continued to be undertaken with schools and academies to improve reporting on the destinations of young people.  A stretch target of zero young people being categorised as non participation had been set within the Education Portfolio Plan for 2013/14.

The Head of Youth Support Services advised Members that Bromley was also participating in a Department for Education working group to identify best practice in supporting young people to engage with education, training and employment.  It was important to ensure that appropriate provision was in place for young people for whom traditional mainstream and work-based programmes would be inappropriate.

RESOLVED that Members note the inclusion of the action plan for the delivery of Raising the Participation Age in the 2013 Education Portfolio Plan as one of seven educational and learning action plans for business planning and implementation.