Thousands of young people absent from college ‘slipping through the cracks’, new report warns

Thousands of young people absent from college ‘slipping through the cracks’, new report warns Colleges say there are multiple barriers preventing young people from attending college - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Official figures likely undercount the true scale of youth unemployment, the Children’s Commissioner has cautioned, warning of a "blind spot" that leaves tens of thousands of young people "slipping through the cracks". Dame Rachel de Souza estimates that roughly 42,000 16 and 17-year-olds are enrolled in colleges but present for under half of their classes, leaving them functionally disconnected from learning while omitted from official figures. The total number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets) climbed past one million earlier this year for the first time in over a decade, prompting calls for greater assistance to help youth into work. Recent data published in August recorded a minor decrease, showing an estimated 981,000 Neets between April and June—a drop of 30,000 compared to the first quarter of the year. Even so, the total remains 30,000 higher than it was a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics. Information secured by Dame Rachel’s office reveals that further education institutions are not obliged to notify the Department for Education about attendance in the same manner required of schools. Responses from 262 of England’s 290 college groups suggested 28,528 young people aged 16 and 17 were severely absent – meaning they missed half the sessions they were expected to attend – from further education settings in spring this year. Her office extrapolated the data across all college groups in England and estimated this represents around 41,995 students being severely absent. The data also showed that more than half (52.2 per cent) of college students were persistently absent – meaning they had an attendance below 90 per cent. Colleges told her office that barriers preventing young people from attending college included mental health difficulties, poverty and financial hardship, transport problems, caring responsibilities, paid work and the transition from school to college, as well as previous negative experiences of education. Dame Rachel recommended attendance data for 16 and 17-year-olds across all state-funded education providers, including further education colleges, should be collected; more support for young people facing barriers to attendance, greater support for young people moving into work; and free bus travel being extended to all children. She said: “My concern is that tens of thousands of children are currently being counted as ‘in education’ when, in reality, they are barely attending. “We have a blind spot: hidden Neets slipping through the cracks, young people with all the negative impacts of not being in employment, education or training but with none of the targeted interventions designed to help and support them. “Further education is the crucial bridge between school and work, and that is why any solution to the Neets crisis must address attendance must be built on urgently identifying and supporting young people before they disengage from education.” Cath Sezen, director of education policy at the Association of Colleges, said there is a “growing strain on the FE system, as well as funding pressures” which are both “limiting colleges’ ability to provide tailored support, particularly for those who need it most”. She added: “We have called time and time again for increased investment, better integration of support services and a stronger national strategy for employer engagement. “We are keen to engage with the debate and we agree with many of the recommendations. A national definition, which works for colleges where there are different timetabling models, would be a helpful step forward. The college cohort is more disadvantaged and face more barriers to engagement, and therefore any targets need to reflect this.” A Department for Education spokesperson said the commissioner’s research is “an important report that highlights just how badly students in further education need to be prioritised in future reforms”. They said the Government is “introducing attendance monitoring and tracking in colleges and accelerating the roll out of Mental Health Support Teams in colleges”. They added: “Just like with schools, we will continue to work with the further education sector to ensure that colleges and training providers proactively and effectively tackle student absenteeism.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments