All young people aged 16 to 19 have a right to free continuing education. Those who live in households with a total income of less than £30,000 also have an entitlement to an education maintenance allowance [opens in new window]. Young people in custody can also apply for an education maintenance allowance. They cannot receive it while in custody but they can apply before they leave to ease any delays.
Further education (FE) colleges, training providers and third sector organisations offer a variety of courses, mostly one-year, linked to a range of qualifications and accreditation. Some FE colleges specialise in particular vocational areas. Since September 2008, some colleges have been offering the new diploma which includes an element of vocational training. There are currently five subjects on offer and there will be a total of 17 by 2011.
Foundation Learning (FL)
Foundation Learning (FL) is the national programme of learning for 14 to 19 year old learners working predominantly at entry level or level 1 which will encompass most young people in the youth justice system. In practice, many providers should rightly see Foundation Learning as sitting alongside GCSEs, Foundation Diplomas, components of Higher Diplomas etc.
Learners and practitioners negotiate and agree an individual learning programme, reflecting both the learner’s entry point and intended destination – to Diplomas, GCSEs, Apprenticeships or, in some cases, to supported employment and/or independent living. Learning programmes integrate vocational/subject learning, personal and social development, and functional skills. They also comprise a wider ‘wrap-around’ of initial engagement and assessment, information advice and guidance and on-going learner support.
This tier of learning should make mainstream education more accessible for young people who are NEET or in the youth justice system. Some FE colleges and training providers are already delivering FL and all should have some level of provision by the end of 2010/11. YOT ETE managers should be aware of which providers are delivering FL to ensure that young people in the youth justice system gain early access.
Click for information on the 14–19 curriculum [opens in new window].
YOTs should be encouraged to have local college prospectuses available for young people to view. Local Connexions Partnerships [opens in new window]can provide a good deal of literature for young people about local opportunities. YOTs can display this literature, along with relevant posters, in reception and waiting areas.
A growing number of colleges now offer multiple start dates for a certain courses. YOTs should seek to establish contact with local colleges to see if there is a possibility of addressing issues about specific start dates. It is important that young people are found education, training or employment provision as soon as possible.
Many colleges and training organisations give young people taster sessions in a number of vocational areas, as well as work in basic skills, giving accreditation opportunities. These courses can help to make young people more employable and better prepared for the world of work. They may then progress to other courses to further increase employability.
The January and September Guarantee
The January and September Guarantees are a month long offer of places to young people (aged up to 17) completing compulsory education. The guarantee gives those who enrol on one-year or short courses, or who leave the activity they chose when leaving school, further opportunities to engage in learning.
The offer must be one of the following:
- Full or part-time education in school, sixth form college, independent learning provider, or an FE college
- An apprenticeship or programme-led apprenticeship. This must include both the training element and a job or work placement
- Entry to Employment (E2E) - see below
- Employment with training to NVQ level 2.
Further information on the January and September Guarantees will also be available on the DCSF 14–19 website [opens in new window].
Entry to Employment
Entry to Employment is now part of Foundation Learning (see above).
Working with training providers
It is important that YOTs work with training providers to ensure appropriate risk assessments and information sharing protocols are applied to support young people who have offended. It is also worth discussing this with the Young People's Learning Agency regional representative [opens in new window].
The following sites provide information on vocational training and apprenticeships [all open in new windows].
Work-related learning
All schools must include work-related learning in the curriculum as an entitlement for Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11). This will provide all young people with background knowledge of the world of work, as well as an opportunity to obtain information, advice and guidance (IAG) on career opportunities. Work experience is a component of this strategy. This can be a highly motivating experience for those young people who are heading towards disaffection.
There are also organisations that arrange work experience. Support4Learning [opens in new window] gives a wealth of information in this area, as well as links to websites offering guidance and support for work experience.
Work experience could be a valuable consideration for young people subjected to ISSP, not only giving them a taste of work, but also ideas about future employment opportunities. More generally, it could prove to be a motivational factor in helping to re-engage with ETE.
Diplomas
Diplomas include work-related learning and work skills for all 14-19 year old learners.
It is a new qualification designed to appeal to young people who prefer a combination of academic/theoretical and practical learning. It has the aim of working towards improving the engagement in education of 14-19 year olds. The diplomas also support young people in developing personal and employment skills (as recommended in our Key Elements of effective Practice for both education, training and employment and offending behaviours programmes).
There is a foundation learning tier for level one and entry level learners which provides an access point for many of the children and young people that YOTs deal with. By 2010 this tier will allow progression to level two.
The following diplomas are available at schools and some FE colleges.
- Construction and the built environment
- Creative and media
- Engineering
- IT
- Society, health and development.
Click for further information on the new diploma [opens in new window].
Wales - Skills Build
In Wales you can get work related training in the skills build programme. If you haven’t made up your mind what you want to do then join the programme and spend 13 weeks trying a range of different careers, while being paid at least £50 per week. Visit the Careers Wales website for young people [opens in new window] for more information.
See also: