NEETS, Youth Justice and FE
Posted by Mark Ludlam on Sunday, 22 June, 2008
Two reports recently published indicate that despite considerable investment, services to young people who are not in employed or undertaking full-time education or training, need to be improved.
In Wales, a recent Estyn reportshows that between April 2006 and March 2007 only 59% of young offenders in Wales were in full-time education, training or employment. The target set by the Youth Justice Board was 90%. Moira Sharkey of the Western Mail 19.06.08 reports on this in her article “More education help needed for young offenders”
This follows last month’s report by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) at King’s College London, which concluded that despite an investment of £650 million a decade-long government drive to cut youth offending has had “no measurable impact”. See BBC website 21.05.08 Youth crime drive has “no impact”.
On a more positive note however, John Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Skills in the Welsh Assembly Government writes in the Western Mail 05.06.08 “Finding a future – taking the ‘N’ out of NEET”
He outlines the strategy the WAG will take in a themed report, he states, ”The problems and barriers facing these youngsters are highlighted in our pivotal skills and employment strategy “Skills that Work for Wales,” which will deliver against the One Wales vision of a prosperous society with full employment.”
More locally, (that is, if you live in Swansea) the South Wales Evening Post 9.05.08 is able to report on a successful scheme which has halved youth crime.
Further Reading:
Estyn Report: Meeting the learning needs of children and young people who offend
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies: Ten years of Labour’s youth justice reforms: an independent audit by Enver Solomon and Richard Garside.
Welsh Assembly Government Reducing the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training in Wales
