2017 September Guarantee Results There is a statutory duty for all local authorities to ensure that all Year 11 and Year 12 have an offer of learning for the following September.

This year Oxfordshire ensured that 93.9% of this group (over 11400 young people had an offer of learning. The graph below shows the breakdown of the soon to be published figures:

Those that have personal circumstances preventing them from going into learning or those that did not apply are being supported by the EET Casework Team.

Those ‘Not Yet Recorded’ are being chased up by the EET Tracking Team, the majority of these do currently have places in education, but we had not yet received this information by the time of publication.

INSID E THIS

ISSUE:

National

News

2

Local

News

4

Opportuni-

ties

6

IAG &

Support

8

Dates for

Your

Diary

10

NEET IDEAS

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

New Enterprise Allowance

Eligibility Must be 18 or over, have a business idea and get one of the following

benefits:

Jobs seekers allowance

Employment and support allowance

Income support

You may also be eligible if you get Universal Credit, including if you’re

already self-employed. Your Jobcentre Plus work coach can check if you

qualify and refer you to the scheme. You don’t qualify if you’re part of

the Work Programme, but you can still get other help setting up a business.

Help you can get

If you’re starting a new business, you could:

attend an initial workshop to help you decide if self-employment is the right option

get a business mentor to help you develop your business idea and start trading - you can get support for up to 52 weeks afterwards

get a weekly allowance paid for up to 26 weeks (up to a total of £1,274)

apply for a loan to help with start-up costs The loan has to be paid back, the allowance doesn’t.

For more information about the new enterprise allowance please visit; https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-enterprise-allowance-campaign N

AT

ION

AL

NE

WS

Mental health therapy to help jobless young people find work A support programme for NEET young people are expanding its range of services to include help with mental health problems.

"We are pleased to welcome Innovating Minds to the Progress partnership to help ensure that all young people enrolled on the programme have access to any mental health and wellbeing support they should need." The partnership is part of the Building Better Opportunities programme that is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund to help unemployed young people find work.

P A G E 2

Rise in number of young people classed as 'long-term' NEET

The number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) for more than 12 months has increased by almost 100,000 over the last year, a rise of 12 per cent, a report has found.

The findings form part of the 2017 Youth Jobs Index, put together by Impetus - Private Equity Foundation. The organisation is calling on the government to do more to address long-term unemployment among young people. Recommendations put forward by Impetus-PEF include ensuring that compulsory skills training and work placements, introduced for young people in April, are tailored to each individual's needs and include on-going support once they have secured work or a training place.

Care to Learn This scheme can help with childcare costs while you study. You must be aged under 20 at the start of your course.

Childcare costs can include things such as registration, travel to your provider and keeping your childcare place over the summer holidays.

Care to Learn is not means tested—it doesn't matter if the parent or partner is working or if they have savings. Claiming Care to Learn wont affect your family’s benefits or allowances.

For more information about Care to Learn and to apply online, please visit; www.gov.uk/care-to-learn

NA

TIO

NA

L N

EW

S

DISCOVER OUR PATHFINDER PROGRAMMES Find the right Pathfinder programme for your career pathway:

Business – Explore marketing, business finance, HR and entrepreneurship

Creative Arts – Choose, plan and manage a creative arts project

Lifestyles – Explore the skills needed for careers in hairdressing, beauty, hospitality and catering

Technology – Open doors to careers in construction, engineering, ICT or motor vehicle

And if you are not yet sure which career pathway you are heading for:

Lifeskills Pathfinder boosts your English and maths (GCSE/functional skills) and employability skills while we help you work out your next steps

P A G E 3

Small Grants Available L

OC

AL

NE

WS

Unlock your Potential Unlocking Potential Oxfordshire is a new combined local project designed to help you try new things and gain experience and qualifications to find the key to unlock the future you want. Aspire is very proud to have secured Big Lottery - ESF funding for a new project to support young people not in employment, education or training (NEET), called “Unlocking Potential for Oxfordshire.” Aspire are the lead delivery partner for this county-wide project, run by nine local community organisations in partnership with Oxford City Council. The project will offer intensive coaching, accredited entry-level training, supported work experience placements on Aspire’s social enterprises and sports activities for young people. For more information go to www.upoxfordshire.org

P A G E 4

To assist with expenses for young people aged 16-25 aiming to access an Apprenticeship, Training, Education or Employment there are some small grants. Grants will typically be up to £30 and could cover or contribute towards things such as travel expenses, CSCS testing or equipment and tools. Grants are available to applicants who are residents in the Cherwell District Council area and priority will be given to Sanctuary Housing Association residents. CLOSING DATE 30TH JUNE 2017 5pm For more information and to apply, email

Careers Fest Careers Fest 2018 is open to parents, carers and guardians for the first this time this year! The ninth annual Careers Fest, run by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), is taking place at MINI Plant Oxford on 6th and 7th February. There will be an open session on 6th February from 4-7pm

WELCOME TO OX7 OX7 is designed to:

Support 16 to 24-year-olds not engaged in employment, education or training.

Help these youngsters find employment, access education and plug in to suitable training courses.

Reconnect isolated young people with their communities. Provide youngsters with the resources they need to deal with financial

stress, addiction, isolation and mental health issues. Give young people a chance to develop their skills in a supportive

environment - via ECN community projects, both digital and on-the-ground.

Offer inclusive, holistic care from a professional team of youth workers.

E shaun@experiencechippingnorton.com

T 07827 999135

P A G E 5

LO

CA

L N

EW

S

OX7 Donor

Donate goods or devices to

help maintain our office and

staff. This includes office furni-

ture, appliances, computers,

laptops, printers and office

supplies.

OX7 PLACEMENT PROVIDER

Offer a business work place-

ment a young OX7 participant

and help the find their work-

place feet. Feel free to discuss

details and explore options

with our team.

OX7 PARTNER

Work with us to help OX7

function at full capacity. If you’re a

Government agency, local non-

profit group, Council member or

community charity, you may be

able to assist with referrals, sup-

port, r sources and expertise.

OX7 FRIEND

Offer your time, expertise or support

to help OX7 function and grow. May-

be you can help with fund raising

activities. Or simply attend our OX7

community events as and when they

happen – we’d love your ongoing

support!

OX7 BUSINES SSPONSOR

Promote your business

through one of our sponsor-

ship packages. Choose from

Facebook ads, website pro-

files and ads, mobile tour

advertising, email newsletter

and video promotions.

P A G E 6

BoomSatsuma

Are you aged 16-18 and want to be a professional actor? Do you want a real drama school experience that’s equivalent to 3 A-Levels? Are you looking for a full-time and rigorous course taught by industry

professionals at a professional theatre? If so, audition for our new Professional Acting Diploma with Pegasus, Oxford, starting in September 2018. We are now accepting applications for our Level 3 Extended Diploma with Pegasus Theatre.

£45m boost for young people with SEND Multi-million pound package announced to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. A new £9.7million fund has been set up to create new supported internships, helping to bridge the gap for some of the most vulnerable young people between education and employment. The announcement has been welcomed by the National Children’s Bureau. More info at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/45m-boost-for-young-people-with-send

OP

PO

RU

NIT

IES

OxForward

Oxforward is a wellbeing and employment support service for adults living in Oxfordshire, who want to connect to the community, meet new people and find work. It is run by Kennedy Scott in partnership with the Royal Mencap Society. They take the time to listen and get to understand you, you will be given a caseworker who will support and help you to progress. Build a circle of support around you, you will be able to work with specialist organisations such as OXPA (Oxforshire Sports and Physical Activity) to provide you with even more opportunities and activities.

Contact the OxForward team: Call: 01865 773 578

Apprenticeship and Employment Vacancies

www.oxme.info/opportunities has a huge range of

entry level and post A Level employment and

apprenticeship vacancies listed. A few examples are:

Apprentice Composites and 3D Printing Technician,

Oxford Closing Date 20th July. From F1 Race car composites, to Olympic

Wheelchairs, to Satellite parts. We are looking for someone who is good

with practical work, and is able to take initiative.

http://oxme.info/cms/opportunities/apprentice-composites-and-3d-printing-technician

Digital Marketing Apprentice, Abingdon Closing Date 30th

January. The Digital Marketing Apprentice will help the Marketing

Executives and Head of Marketing of RM Results in supporting our ‘protect’

and ‘grow’ strategies, through implementation of marketing activity and

campaigns across digital channels.

http://oxme.info/cms/opportunities/digital-marketing-apprentice-13571

Nursery Assistant, Abingdon Closing date 5th January. We are

looking for someone who is looking to start a career working with children.

We will provide online training and a level 2 qualification along training you

to become a nursery assistant

http://oxme.info/cms/opportunities/nursery-assistant

Apprentice Dental Nurse, Oxford Closing date 5th January. An

exciting opportunity to work in a new dental practice while gaining a

qualification in dental nursing.

http://oxme.info/cms/opportunities/apprentice-dental-nurse-4

Leisure Professional Apprenticeship, Oxford Closing date

19th January. Join Fusion Lifestyle as an apprentice and make a career out of

the things you love doing: swimming, fitness, community involvement and

customer service. http://oxme.info/cms/opportunities/leisure-professional-

apprenticeship

Weekly Opportunities Bulletins Are you signed up to receive weekly opportunities bulletins? To sign up, please email opportunities@oxfordshire.gov.uk and ask to be added to the list.

Young people can sign up to receive ‘Hot Jobs’ and other email bulletins at: www.oxme.info/register

P A G E 7

OP

PO

RT

UN

ITIE

S

P A G E 8

Locality & Community Support Service The Locality and Community Support Service (LCSS) has been created as part of Oxfordshire County Council's, Children's Services Integration Programme to support partner agencies across Oxfordshire. It is a professional facing service (including community/voluntary sector).

Opening Hours: 8.30 – 5pm (Mon – Thurs) 8.30am – 4pm (Fri)

When to contact LCSS • You should contact the Locality Community Support Service if you: • Have emerging concerns for a child that does not require an immediate

safeguarding response • Need support or guidance with an Early Help Assessment or TAF • Wish to complete a No Names Consultation

Professionals should: • Discuss their concerns with the family • Gain advice from LCSS with family's knowledge • If you wish to discuss a concern without a family’s consent you can gain advice

via a No Names Consultation only • Refer to the Threshold of Need Matrix

If LCSS are supporting you with a family and immediate safeguarding concerns arise, you must call the MASH immediately

IAG

& S

UP

OR

T

Web-chat

Web-chat is a service for young people aged 13-19 (up to 24 if they have learning difficulties or disabilities) living in Oxfordshire. Speak to one of our team on the OXME website live chat, with any queries or problems you have. They are available to chat 10am-4pm. If you have a question outside of these hours, you can leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

LCSS North

Tel: 0345 2412703

Samuelson House, Tramway Rd, Banbury OX16 5AU

LCSS.North@oxfordshire.gov.uk

LCSS Central

Tel: 0345 2412705

Knights Court, Between Towns Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 3LX

LCSS.Central@oxfordshire.gov.uk

LCSS South

Tel: 0345 2412608

Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 3JD

LCSS.South@oxfordshire.gov.uk

P A G E 9

Careers Information and Guidance There are a wide range of careers and opportunities in Oxfordshire. It can be

difficult to decide which is best for you, but don’t stress, there is help available for

you..

Useful Links

Opportunity Search www.oxme.info/opportunities

Activities Oxfordshire www.activitiesoxfordshire.info

National Apprenticeship Service www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Gov.uk (benefits & legal info) www.gov.uk

Practitioners’ Toolkit https://fisd.oxfordshire.gov.uk/kb5/oxfordshire/directory/practitioners.page

RPA Info for Young People www.oxme.info/rpa

IAG

& S

UP

OR

T

Careers strategy: making the most of everyone’s skills and talents The careers strategy is part of the government’s plan to make Britain fairer, improve social mobility and offer opportunity to everyone. For more information on the new careers strategy see the link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-strategy-making-the-most-of-

everyones-skills-and-talents

Dates for your Diary

P A G E 1 0

CHOICES Earning and Learning CHOICES drop in sessions offer support for work and training opportunities to young people who are aged between 16 - 19 who are not in employment, education or training.

If you are unable to travel to drop-ins they can offer appointments, phone and email support.

Ask for your EET worker at your local Children and Family Centre, email EETreferrals@oxfordshire.gov.uk or register online at www.oxme.info/extrasupport

CHOICES Day Time Address Contact

Abingdon Tues 1pm-3pm

Abingdon Children and Family Centre (Stratton Way, OX14 3RG)

Tricia Duncan 07393 001023

Banbury Thurs 12pm-2pm

Banbury Children and Family Centre (New Futures Centre, OX16 0EF)

Karyn Workman 07879 212724

Bicester Weds 1pm-3pm

Bicester Children and Family Centre (Launton Road, OX26 6DJ)

Claire Glasscock 07557 082566

Didcot Weds 1pm-3pm

Didcot Children and Family Centre (Park Road, OX11 8QX)

David Pearce-Jones 07584 481226

Blackbird Leys

Thurs 1pm-3.15pm

Blackbird Leys Children and Families Centre (61/63 Cuddesdon Way, OX4 6SB)

Ray Starkie 07827 947348

Rosehill Thurs 10am-4pm

Rosehill Children & Family Centre (Ashhurst Way, OX4 4UY )

Mel Jewell 07785 453266

Barton Tues 12pm-3pm

Barton Children and Family Centre (Ormerod Building, Waynflete Rd, Ox-ford OX3 8DD)

Fiona Mattam 07584 581172

Witney Tues 1pm-2pm

Witney Children and Family Centre (Witan Way, OX28 4YA)

Sally Stafford 07393 001026

NEET Ideas is edited by the Education, Employment and Training Team.

To get your news or information included in the next edition, contact Lydia Eldridge, 4th Floor County

Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND, lydia.eldridge@oxfordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01865 328460

Dates for your Diary

P A G E 1 1

Youth Employment & Participation (YEP) Network Meetings These meetings take place at the Children and Family Centre's or partner organisations around the county. It is an opportunity to look at provision available for those who may need extra sup-port transitioning into their next learning destination. Schools and colleges are encouraged to attend to find out about support and opportunities available to their leavers and build contacts.

Banbury & Bicester Thurs 15th Mar, 10am-12pm, Bicester Children & Family Centre

South Oxfordshire Wed 12/13th Mar, Oxford College

Central Oxford Thurs 22nd Mar, 9.30am — 11.30am, County Hall, Room 3, Oxford

West Oxfordshire Weds 21st Mar, Witney Children & Family Centre

For more information contact ruth.ashwell@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxfordshire CEIAG Conference 2017 The 2018 Careers Conference is going to be held on Thursday the 25th of January at 9:30 at Unipart.

There will be a section on CEIAG policy including recently released careers strategy, a section on services that support schools in delivering high quality CEIAG and finally a section on apprentice-ships and traineeships.

To get an invite to this event, please contact indra.gill@oxfordshire.gov.uk

SEND Post-16 Network Meeting If you would like to be included on the invite list or for more information about the SEND post-16 network meetings please contact Kate Brenan at kbinclusive.education@gmail.com