Leeds steps up citywide response to tackle youth inactivity and NEET challenge

At an event hosted at Elland Road earlier this week  (Monday 6 July), leaders from across the city in education, employment and skills, health, and the third sector came together to address the growing challenge and agree the need for a more coordinated, partnership-led approach to improve outcomes for young people.

The event comes at a critical time, with national and regional momentum building around how to best help young people who are NEET (Not in education, employment or training).  Government reforms, including the Get Britain Working White Paper, the rollout of the Youth Guarantee, and the independent review led by the Rt Hon Alan Milburn, are all placing a renewed focus on tackling economic inactivity and improving opportunities for young people. Just last month, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin announced the ‘West Yorkshire Promise’ which aims to ensure that young people get the opportunity to experience a workplace before they leave their education setting. 

Leeds is currently experiencing higher-than-average NEET levels, with an increasing number of young people facing complex barriers including mental health challenges, low confidence, and limited access to opportunities. 

The event reinforced a shared commitment  as a city to move to a more coordinated, system-wide approach that better supports young people into education, employment and training pathways.

Building on the work that is already being undertaken in the city, discussions focused on a series of proposed actions to build a more effective citywide response, including:

• Establishing clear strategic leadership and governance
• Strengthening multi-agency working across education, skills, health and community partners
• Developing a shared evidence base to better understand need
• Creating a coordinated NEET and  and youth employment strategy.
• Taking the time to understand the challenge we have in Leeds and the proposals also lay the groundwork for the  establishment of a Leeds NEET Taskforce, as recommended through the Milburn Review, helping ensure the city is well positioned to respond to  local challenges national priorities and the needs of young people in Leeds.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said:

“No young person in Leeds should be without a pathway into learning or work. This event marks an important step in bringing partners together to tackle a complex challenge and ensure we are doing everything we can to support young people to succeed.

“Supporting young people to engage with education and employment improves their long-term health, wellbeing and life chances, while helping to build the skilled workforce needed to support the city’s future growth.”

Following the event, partners will continue to work together to develop a detailed plan for delivery, with a focus on strengthening coordination, improving data-driven decision-making and ensuring young people receive the right support at the right time.

This will include further work to build on the existing 14-19 partnership, bringing the city together to develop a shared strategy, and to progress plans for a potential Leeds NEET Taskforce.