Today's Education in the Media looks at youth employment, Prevent in universities, and adoption.
NEETs
On Tuesday, 1 August, the Financial Times reported on Impetus PEF, a charity that has carried out analysis on young people not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Overall, the proportion of 16-18 year olds who were NEET at the end of 2016 was 6 per cent - it’s the lowest since records began.
ONS figures for the UK between Jan-Mar 2017 show that NEETs in the 16-24 category are at a record low.
Impetus PEF’s analysis relates specifically to young people who have been NEET for a year or more, a figure the charity suggests has risen.
We are continuing to work to drive down the number of young people who are NEET by ensuring qualifications match what employers want, improving technical education and more.
A Government spokesperson said:
Our reforms are ensuring all pupils are leaving school better-prepared for further study and the world of work. The latest figures for the UK show that the number of 16-24 year olds who are NEET is at a record low and that young people are participating at their highest rate since records began.
“But we are determined to see even more young people, whatever their background, gain the skills to get on in life and help build a stronger country. The steps we’re taking to strengthen the curriculum, develop gold standard qualifications and provide high-quality apprenticeships, alongside our reforms to technical education will match the best education systems in the world and keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands.
HEFCE
Yesterday, 1 August, The Evening Standard and The Daily Telegraph covered the Higher Education Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) report on how universities are carrying out the Government’s Prevent policy.
The report outlines that 95 per cent of providers, 298 in total, satisfied HEFCE that they were demonstrating due regard to the Prevent duty and actively implementing the approaches they had set out in the initial phase of monitoring. This demonstrates the hard work the higher education sector is doing around preventing radicalism.
Universities Minister, Jo Johnson, said:
There has never been a more important time for us to come together to tackle the dangers of radicalisation and ensure extremist ideologies are robustly challenged.
Universities play an important role in safeguarding students from radicalisation, but at the same time, protecting freedom of speech. It is good to see that higher education providers have continued to make significant progress by actively implementing a range of measures to support the Prevent duty. It is vital that senior managers and governors are engaging with students, staff and local partners to ensure this remains embedded in their organisations.
Adoption
The department is pleased to announce that a fund launched to help struggling families who adopt some of the country’s most vulnerable children has reached almost 18,000 homes, providing much-needed emotional support.
As well, a further £5 million will be invested in a number of innovative projects across the country, designed to improve families’ experiences of adoption. It is part of a government drive to deliver the best possible services for vulnerable children.
Robert Goodwill, Minister for Children and Families, said:
Every parent wants their child to grow up feeling loved and understood, and anyone with the commitment and compassion to adopt a child should have the backing of a strong support network. We know that caring for these young people, particularly those with more complex needs, can be a struggle at times.
“With the right therapeutic support, children and families will be able to embrace the new life ahead of them, and I’m delighted that the adoption support fund has supported so many thousands of people already, as part of our plan for a fairer society.
Lorna Sandbach, Adoption Support Fund recipient, said:
It has been life-changing. My daughter is letting us love her in a way she never did. At first, she was terrified, and now she trusts that we will come back for her at the end of the school day. Before, my son would not talk because he didn’t feel confident – but now that’s started to change. He is forming friendships and fitting in.
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