A recent article in FE Week, titled ‘Crisis in schools creates a NEET problem for FE to solve’, spotlighted the escalating challenges faced by young people and local authorities in ensuring young people are engaged in Education, Employment, or Training (EET). This rise in young people classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) is a societal issue with far-reaching implications, and at Shaw Trust, we firmly believe it is everyone’s responsibility—not just further education (FE)—to support young people’s transition into fulfilling, stable futures.
We have worked with young people for over 28 years and understand the best types of support to offer. Our commitment to helping young people transition smoothly into education, employment, or training is reflected in the diverse range of services we offer across the UK. These services span from providing crucial information, advice, and guidance to helping young people with CV writing, job applications, and work experience placements. Our goal is to equip young people with the skills and confidence they need to overcome barriers and pursue their ambitions, especially when the path they originally hoped for may not be immediately accessible.
Understanding the roots of the crisis
The FE Week article highlights several contributing factors to the NEET crisis, including budget cuts, teacher shortages, and increasingly prevalent mental health issues among students. These challenges are compounded by a lack of effective support systems, leaving many young people without the skills or resilience needed to navigate complex challenges.
NEET levels have increased because of a reduction in entry level provision and poor mental health. Those with SEND, known to youth justice or care experienced are overrepresented in the NEET groups we support. 50% of our most recent safeguarding cases have been due to poor mental health with over 30% of those being because of suicide ideation. Many of the young people on our supported internships programme also report higher levels of mental health concerns, in particular anxiety. We specialise in working with neurodivergent young people and the recent rise in mental health concerns is one of the main issues we have noticed, as well as been reported to us by young people.
Mental health is a particularly pressing concern. An NHS survey conducted in 2020 found that one in six children aged five to 16 are likely to experience a mental health problem. Research by Kessler in 2010 showed that one in three mental health problems in adulthood stem from adverse childhood experiences. Our Resilient Futures team at Shaw Trust see firsthand the daily struggles faced by young people and are passionate about making a difference. Our resilience mentors, change-maker mentors, and cognitive behavioural mentors are deeply committed to supporting young people across England, helping them to build mental resilience and practical coping strategies.
Shaw Trust’s Resilient Futures programme: Empowering young people.
Our Resilient Futures programme works with young people to strengthen their resilience and foster independence.
Our approach recognises that young people today face unprecedented challenges. Many struggle with mental health issues, and the cost-of-living crisis further exacerbates their difficulties, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our services work in tandem to provide holistic support, equipping young people with essential skills and resilience. By helping young people build emotional resilience, we are not only supporting their personal growth but also contributing to healthier, more vibrant communities.
Our resilience coaching and wellbeing support has been independently evaluated by University of Northampton Institute for Social Innovation and Impact, in which the results revealed a notable improvement in young people’s self-efficacy and mental health and wellbeing over the course of the programme.
Innovation and impact through digital engagement
In addition to the Resilient Futures programme, we have developed a Digital Information, Advice, and Guidance (DIAG) service designed to engage young people who are NEET or otherwise “not known”. DIAG reaches young people where they are online helping to bridge the gap between traditional support services and the digital preferences of today’s youth. Through this service, we can offer targeted support and guidance to those most in need. In just one local authority area, our DIAG service supported 597 NEET young people in a single year, illustrating the powerful reach and impact of digital interventions in today’s social landscape.
Our DIAG teams aim to reduce young people becoming NEET by addressing the underlying factors that contribute to disengagement from education and employment. The consequences of high NEET rates extend beyond individuals, impacting communities and the economy. These services empower young people to navigate their personal and professional lives successfully, preventing more young people from becoming NEET.
A national crisis with nationwide solutions
This crisis is not isolated to specific regions but spans across schools and FE institutions nationwide. The pressures of budget cuts, staffing shortages, and lack of mental health support are felt across the country. Urgent intervention is needed, and we’re ready to respond with solutions that make a tangible difference in young people’s lives.
Using the above innovative approaches to address these issues our work is supported by local authorities and schools. By combining digital technology with resilience training, we are tackling a timely and impactful story head-on—one that meets the educational challenges faced by today’s youth.
Make a real difference to young people in your area
When asked about the current NEET crisis we seem to be facing Judith Denyer, Shaw Trust’s Director of Children and Young People services said,
“Shaw Trust is fortunate to have the infrastructure and relationships in place to work with young people, commissioners and colleagues from across our group to deliver evidence-based solutions that create new and sustainable futures”.
We encourage schools, further education providers, and local authorities to consider partnering with us to address this pressing issue. The NEET crisis demands a collective response from government bodies, educators, and organisations like ours. Through services such as Resilient Futures and DIAG, we can help young people overcome barriers and build pathways to success.
We offer an effective, solution-focused partner to educational institutions, young people, and communities across the UK. Together, we can prevent the increase in NEET numbers and provide young people with the resilience and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly challenging world.
For more information on Shaw Trust’s Digital Information Advice and Guidance service and our Resilient Futures programme, visit our website.
Let’s work together to support young people, mitigate the NEET crisis, and build resilient futures for all.
