Stories

Sat, 30 May 2026

Sat, 30 May 2026 How a borough in Merseyside is bucking the UK's youth unemployment trend

Could personalised early intervention help prevent under-16s falling into the Neet trap?
A 16-year-old girl named Chloe from Sefton, Merseyside, was on track to become one of the UK's 1 million young people who are not in education, employment, or training (Neet). However, with early support and intervention, Chloe was able to turn her life around. She suffered from severe anxiety and had left school at 14 to be home-educated, but she became increasingly isolated and uncertain about her future. The local council identified Chloe as needing extra help and connected her with a careers adviser through the charity Career Connect. The adviser worked one-on-one with Chloe, helped her secure a place on a vocational childcare course, and gradually built up her confidence to travel to college independently. Thanks to this personalized support, Sefton has seen a significant decrease in its Neet figures, particularly among younger ages. In March 2023, only 3.8% of 16-17 year olds in Sefton were Neet, down from 7.6% when the early intervention scheme was first introduced in 2019. A major review by former Labour minister Alan Milburn has warned that Britain is facing a "lost generation" without urgent action to help young people who are not earning or learning. The report highlights that many young people struggle with anxiety, depression, and lack of confidence, making it difficult for them to engage in education or employment. In response, some councils and schools are adopting preventative approaches to Neet, targeting students from the age of 12 and providing one-to-one support and workshops to help them stay engaged with learning. For example, a multi-academy trust in Leeds is working with 60 Year 8 students who are at risk of becoming Neet. The UK's Neet rate is among the worst in Europe, and research suggests that the education system may be partly responsible for this issue. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledges that schools have an important role to play but emphasizes that it cannot be done alone. She promises to expand options for young people through T-levels and V-levels and change the apprenticeship system to work better for younger people. The story of Chloe's turnaround highlights the importance of early intervention and support in helping young people overcome their challenges and achieve their potential.