NICVA responds to DEL on the Pathways to Success (NEETs) consultation

The Department of Employment and Learning consultation on “Pathways to Success” (NEET) strategy launched on 24 March 2011 and closed on 30 June 2011.

The aim of the strategy was to look at establishing an initial broad direction and support cross Departmental efforts to reduce the number of young people most at risk of being NEET

To prepare for and inform its response, NICVA facilitated a consultation event and invited members of the voluntary and community sector to a roundtable discussion. The aim of the event was to share information and gather views on the strategy from organisations within the sector that have knowledge and involvement with young people who have difficulties in engaging with and accessing education, employment or training. 

Downloads

Download a copy of NICVA's response

Download a copy of CiNi's response

Overview

NICVA supports the position taken by DEL on the importance of the development of a NEETs strategy. The number of young people in this category, albeit with previous interventions, still persists. The potential negative impact of the more recent economic difficulties is a worrying trend that has to be tackled by government.

In Northern Ireland, young people have been disproportionally affected by the recession, which has further increased fears about young people in the NEET category.

Current and Planned Strategic Direction

The suggested direction within the strategy is broadly welcomed by the voluntary and community sector in terms of both the content and the process in which the strategy has been developed. NICVA generally supports the department's proposals; that a more co-ordinated set of actions and resources to reduce the numbers of young people who are not in education, employment or training and who are at most risk of remaining there long term is the most immediate proposed core element of the strategic approach.

There is also a need to keep a focus on longer term preventative measures beyond the age range and categories suggested within the strategy. However, if the implementation of the strategy is to be successful, it is essential that joined up thinking and an interdepartmental approach is used. Other government departments must also give proper commitment to the strategy, ensuring it is adequately funded, with DEL taking the lead in its implementation.

In addition, the steering and implementing groups need to be adequately resourced and have a certain amount of autonomy to ensure that non-compliance can be addressed.

The NEET strategy must relate to other strategies, details of which can be found in the body of the response. Also it is important that the department be mindful of the welfare reform agenda and its potentially derailing affect. The strategy must include action plans with clear targets and a timetable for implementation. Central to all of this has to be taking into account the voice of young people. 

Targets

In measuring the effectives of the strategy, NICVA recommends that targets for reducing the number of young people categorised as NEET, as endorsed within the DEL scoping study, should not just focus on collating the numbers. Targets should instead relate to the numbers who receive support and the nature of that intervention. Consideration has to be given to what and how measurement is being made, such as the identification of the baseline, of indicators and how effective this will be.

NICVA feels that the strategy is very light on detailing implementation plans. Implementation plans need to have vision, leadership, ownership and drivers, including young people who can make the change and be transparent in their delivery. However, NICVA welcomes the Department's intentions to build on the large amount of work undertaken by voluntary and community sector and all government departments.

NICVA's response is available for download below. If you would like your organisation's response to DEL's NEET strategy to be added, please feel free to send it to lorraine.boyd@nicva.org.