Evidence to Support the Strategic Commissioning Statement for Full Participation of Young People

Strategic Research Team, BCC

February 2015

Contents

1.Executive Summary3

2.Introduction5

3.Method5

4.Data analysis and Findings6

4.1Priority 1: Ensuring that there is suitable, quality provision to re-engage young people who are NEET and those at risk of NEET, to secure their progression to learning and/or employment6

Priority 2: Ensuring that there is suitable, quality provision for vulnerable people17

Priority 3: Ensuring that there are sufficient and quality mainstream and/or alternative pathways to enable the progression of lower attaining young people26

Priority 4: Ensuring that education pathways and labour market opportunities are better aligned32

Priority 5: Ensuring that geographic and demographic gaps in post 14 provision are identified and commissioning solutions are sought from the marketplace of education providers37

Appendix 1 - Ethnicity and Sex of level 3 students (EFA 16-18 Pivot Tables, cohort 2012/13)44

Appendix 2 - Ethnicity and Sex of Entry level students (EFA 16-18 Pivot Tables, cohort 2012/13)46

Appendix 3 - Ethnicity and Sex of level 1 students (EFA 16-18 Pivot Tables, cohort 2012/13)47

Appendix 4 - Ethnicity and Sex of level 2 students (EFA 16-18 Pivot Tables, cohort 2012/13)48

Version 2, 4th March 2015

Contact:

Rosie Smithson, Strategic Research team, BCC

rosie.smithson@birmingham.gov.uk / 0121 303 2057

1. Executive Summary

Purpose

This document supports the Councils Commissioning Statement for Full Participation of Young People 2014-16. It provides an evidence base, alongside insight from the Education and Skills Team, for setting each of the commissioning priorities.

Main Findings

Priority 1: Re-engage young people who are NEET and those at risk of NEET

A third of the citys wards are identified as having a high number of NEETS or a high proportion of NEETS compared to the number of young people living in that ward. Of these, 6 wards are prioritised as they have both high numbers and proportions: Tyburn, Acocks Green, Stechford & Yardley North, Kingstanding, Shard End, and Nechells. The latter three are in the top 10 most deprived wards in the city.

66% of NEETs are from 3 Mosaic segment groups: I - Urban Cohesion, M - Family Basics, and L - Transient Renters. These young people are from households that already have little/low income and have a higher than average dependency on state benefits. It is recommended that households of these segments, particularly where there are young people present, are targeted to prevent them becoming NEET and worsening their situation.

Young people from White British background represent 46% of all NEET. Although, this is in line with the proportion of the 16-19 population residing in Birmingham of this ethnicity (49%), it is a large cohort. Furthermore, data shows that students of White ethnicity are underrepresented by 11 percentage points.

The three groups that are overrepresented in NEET are: Pakistani, Caribbean, and White and Black Caribbean young people, and recommended for prioritising.

19% of young people with learning difficulties or difficulties (LDD) are not in education or training which is above the England average, and higher than most core cities and neighbouring local authorities. Specific interventions and provision need to be targeted at this vulnerable group.

The number of16-18 NEETS increase with age or school years whilst it is important to prevent young people from becoming NEET at all stages, it is particularly required at 17-18yrs when they are becoming adults and making decisions about their future direction.

Priority 2: Provision for vulnerable young people

13% of NEETS not available for work are due to pregnancy or being a parent. Erdington has the most, predominantly in Kingstanding ward, which is also the highest ward for NEET overall. Shard End ward features in the top 5 wards for both pregnant and parent NEETS, highlighting that this area may have issues in getting young people to participate once they have become a parent.

In terms of students age 16-18, particular issues of vulnerability affecting them are LDD, Aspergers or Mental Health Issues, and multiple or profound disabilities. However, for those with LDD, 90% are studying at level 3 and indicates that provision may be working well for them.

1,492 students are eligible for free school meals, and 19% of these live in two wards, Lozells and East Handsworth, and Aston. It is worth noting that the top 5 wards for FSM are the same as the top 5 wards for students with LDD.

For those with high needs, a much higher proportion study at entry level (35%) compared to students without high needs (4%).

Priority 3: Enable the progression of lower attaining young people

Based on the level of study of students, by ethnic background and sex, there are specific cohorts identified as having lower attainment levels and identified for targeted interventions to progress them. In particular, these are: White/Black Caribbean males, Caribbean males, African males, White English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British males.

There are also particular wards that have low levels of students studying at level 3, the top 5 being Stockland Green, Ladywood, Kingstanding, Shard End, and Tyburn. The latter three were also previously identified for high numbers and proportions of NEETs, indicating there are notable gaps in provision for young people in these and surrounding areas. This is not just at age 16-18, but whilst young people are still of school age and require good levels of teaching, support, advice and encouragement to take them on into their post-16 stages.

Priority 4: Education pathways and labour market opportunities are better aligned

Based on core aim, Science and Maths is by far the most popular subject at 16-18 , followed by Health, Public Services and Care; Business, Admin and Law; Arts, Media and Publishing; and Preparation for Life and Work.

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Economic Partnership (GBSLEP) highlight four sectors of particular importance for growth in the next 10 years in the West Midlands: Business Support Services; Food and Beverage; Residential and Social; and Legal and Accounting. Health related jobs are also important for the region, estimated as the second highest sector for total number of jobs in 2025, after Business support services.

Based on the top core aims being studied at 16-18, it appears that Birmingham has high levels of students studying skills in areas that are likely to be required by employers going forward. However, there are still questions about whether there will be sufficient supply to fill demand, and education and training providers have an important role to play in encouraging students to follow opportunities in sectors identified as growth and/or dominant, early on.

Priority 5: Gaps in post-14 provision are identified and commissioning solutions are sought

Information on provision and demand suggests there is a deficit of around 3,758 places for 16-18 year olds in Birmingham.

In terms of Further Education (FE) provision, there are areas with a lack of provision, particularly Shard End, Sheldon, Stechford and Yardley North, Bartley Green and Weoley wards. These are not covered by a two mile radius from FE colleges, have very/high deprivation, and high NEETs.

For 6th form provision, there are gaps in certain areas with high levels of deprivation, including: Shard End, north Nechells, west Tyburn, west Hodge Hill, Kingstanding, and south Kings Norton.

Gaps in provision may also be based on current trends in type of study, i.e. vocational or academic.

2. Introduction

The Council is setting out its Commissioning Statement for ensuring full participation of all young people to acquire the skills that they need for further education, training and employment opportunities

This document will support the commissioning statement, by providing in-depth analysis of 16-19 participation in Birmingham under the following Strategic Commissioning Priorities for 2014-16:

Priority 1: Ensuring that there is suitable, quality provision to re-engage young people who are NEET and those at risk of NEET, to secure their progression to learning and/or employment.

Priority 2: Ensuring that there is suitable, quality provision for vulnerable people.

Priority 3: Ensuring that there are sufficient and quality mainstream and/or alternative pathways to enable the progression of lower attaining young people.

Priority 4: Ensuring that education pathways and labour market opportunities are better aligned.

Priority 5: Ensuring that geographic and demographic gaps in post 14 provision are identified and commissioning solutions are sought from the marketplace of education providers.

3. Method

The report has been compiled through desktop analysis of existing data by the Strategic Research Team.

The main data sources are:

Provided by the Employment and Skills Team, BCC:

NEETS data as at December 2014, BCC Insight database

Students and courses as at 2012/13 cohort, Education Funding Agency database and pivot tables

NEETS data as at January 2014, Connexions

Participation data for 16-17 year old at Dec 2013 from Department for Education

Other sources:

Census 2011 for population data ONS/NOMIS

Mosaic Public Sector segments, August 2014 Experian Ltd

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Strategic