Help for young people at risk of falling out of education

Young people at risk of falling out of education, employment or training once they leave school will be given career mentoring and life skills training to help prevent them from entering a life of crime.

A new Building Futures programme will offer 14-to-16-year-olds help as they navigate leaving school, with coaching, careers and educational counselling, plus support for wellbeing and mental health such as dealing with relationships.

Targeted at up to 5,000 young people at risk of not being in education, employment or training after they turn 18, the £15 million programme will give participants a mentor to offer sustained, personalised help and careers guidance.

This funding is being allocated to Youth Futures Foundation from the Dormant Assets Scheme, which has unlocked £892 million to date. Dormant assets are financial products, such as bank accounts, that have been untouched for a long period. The Dormant Assets Scheme is led by the financial services industry and backed by the Government, with the aim of reuniting people with these financial assets. Where this is not possible, the money is unlocked for important social and environmental initiatives across the UK, such as funding to tackle youth unemployment.

The Government has also announced a new Summer Jobs Programme for up to 2,600 young people at risk of becoming involved in youth violence and crime. These young people will be offered employment placements for up to six weeks, helping improve their job prospects and give them something engaging to do.

Working in partnership with the Youth Endowment Fund and Youth Futures Foundation the programme will focus on areas with the highest crime rates, with young people referred to the programme by local authorities and pupil referral units to be provided with a job mentor and additional training opportunities.

To further support young people at risk of falling through the cracks, the Government is also co-funding at least 100 paid work placements for 9 to 12 months via the UK Year of Service. Funded alongside the NCS Trust, the programme gives 18 to 24-year-olds the chance to be set on a positive path towards long term employment, education or training.

Participants will engage in socially-beneficial roles such as working within conservation and biodiversity, supporting youth community groups, or helping provide local public services. They will receive tailored support and mentoring to grow their skills, as well as having the opportunity to help their local community.