Drawing on discussions with ASCL Council members, our policymaking body of serving school and college leaders, alongside wider evidence suggesting NEET prevention is most effective when it focuses on sustaining engagement, the report also includes the ASCL PATH to #NEETzero – a practical framework for preventing disengagement before it becomes disconnection. 
 

• Propel participation by making education relevant, inclusive, engaging and aspirational.
• Anticipate emerging vulnerability through intelligent use of data, relationships and professional judgement.
• Target support quickly and effectively before challenges become entrenched.
• Harness partnerships and opportunities that extend beyond the school or college gate.

ASCL intends to use the PATH to #NEETzero framework to create a practical guidance tool for school and college leaders to use alongside emerging government reforms.
 
Claire Green, Post-16 and Skills Specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “With around one million young people facing a bleak present and an uncertain future, the NEET crisis is a defining issue of our time. Although there is widespread understanding that reducing the number of young people who become NEET should be a national priority, there is far less agreement about how this should be achieved and, importantly, where responsibility should sit.
 
“Schools, colleges and trusts absolutely have a critical role to play. There is lots of expertise in the sector and many things that education can positively contribute. Our hope is that the framework will support leaders in taking practical action within their sphere of influence. Through engaging education, strong relationships, effective careers education and early intervention, they can significantly reduce the likelihood of young people becoming NEET. 
 
“However, the sector’s capacity to do more is hampered by funding constraints. Any additional expectations will require significant investment in the staffing, capacity and services needed to support young people effectively. Without this investment, any new responsibilities risk diluting existing provision rather than strengthening it.
 
“Even then, education cannot solve the challenge alone. As the Milburn review’s interim report recognised, this is not a crisis that can be solved by one sector, and we all have a responsibility to ensure young people are set up to succeed. The government’s responsibility is to take action to reduce poverty and create jobs, ensure families have housing security and public services are well-funded. Sustainable reductions in NEET rates will require coordinated action across government, employers, health services, local authorities, and education providers, with each playing their part in supporting young people to engage and progress.”
 
ASCL’s publication follows the interim report of the Milburn Review and comes ahead of its final recommendations. You can read ASCL’s full report here.