Sefton Council Halves Youth Unemployment for 16-17 Year Olds Since 2019 Intervention
A proactive strategy by Sefton Council in Merseyside is demonstrating tangible success in combating youth unemployment, particularly for younger age groups. By offering one-to-one careers support to vulnerable under-16s, the council has seen the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) figure for 16-17 year olds drop to just 3.8% as of March this year. This represents a 50% reduction since the programme's inception in 2019.
The initiative, delivered through the charity Career Connect, focuses on building trusted relationships between young people and careers advisers, helping them to remain engaged with learning and plan future pathways. Chloe, 16, who struggled with severe anxiety and left school at 14, exemplifies the programme's impact. Her adviser, Kate Timmins, provided tailored support, including home visits, college open days, and assistance in securing a vocational childcare course, ultimately rebuilding Chloe's confidence for independent travel and study.
Early Intervention Targets Vulnerable Young People
Sefton Council's approach identifies at-risk children through data from schools and other services. These include individuals with poor school attendance, Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), care experience, involvement with the youth justice system, or those receiving home education. Claire Maguire, Service Manager for Employment and Learning at Sefton Council, highlights that nearly a third (31%) of the council's career support interventions are now directed at under-16s, addressing the
